We are proud of the diversity of talents that have come together to make UCF tick. Since our founding in 2001, we have been blessed to have the most ambitious and passionate trustees whose love for Uganda’s natural heritage and their lifelong passion for conservation have helped steer us to great heights.
Drawing from a wealth of experience in fields as diverse as tech, strategy development, conservation, corporate communications and non-profit background, our trustees are always thinking two steps ahead and guiding UCF through the ever-changing landscape of the non-profit world.
TRUSTEES:
Suzy Fox (Chairperson) is an American citizen living and working in London. She joined UCF as a Trustee in 2011. Her interest in Uganda commenced when friends moved there and in 2009 she first visited. She enjoyed the natural beauty, wildlife and charming people so much that she made a return visit in December 2010. Her return visits have been annual and enabled her to understand the challenges in the parks and with UWA as well as make local friends. Suzy now uses her management skills to contribute to the development and potential of Uganda. Besides her passion for Uganda, she is an avid sailor and loves to bake. She works as a COO in the tech industry in London and holds an MBA in International Business and Marketing.
Michael Keigwin MBE (Trustee) is the Founding Trustee of UCF and has worked in Uganda since 1997. Michael’s love for Uganda stems from his uncle being a warden in Murchison Falls National Park in the 1960s. Prior to UCF, Michael developed and ran the Elephants, Crops and People project in southern Queen Elizabeth National Park. In 2006 Michael returned to the UK to carry out an MBA at Durham University obtaining a Distinction grade, and then joined Deloitte’s strategy group in London. In 2012 Michael returned to Uganda to support the Uganda Wildlife Authority recovery Murchison Falls from poaching and support the development of the region. Michael owns and runs various businesses in Uganda and continues to support his passion for sport through Kyadondo Rugby Club where he is Vice Chair. In 2016 Michael was awarded an MBE for services to conservation.
Tim Came (Trustee) His passion for Uganda stemmed from his father being born in Kabale on the Congo border in 1932. Tim was brought up on stories his Grandmother told him about the vast concentrations of mammals in the Murchison Falls National Park and living in Uganda in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Tim moved to Southern Africa in the late 1990’s and spent 12 years running safaris in Zambia, latterly in the South Luangwa and the Kafue National Parks. Tim is a life-long Conservationist and is now UK based. He is keen to help develop the long term strategic vision and direction of UCF with the support of his fellow Trustees.
DIRECTORS:
Richard Ssemmanda, BSc, MSc, -MUK, PGTel -India. (Chairperson) Richard has 16 years experience in management, supervision, surveying and reporting on biodiversity. He has worked with multinational agencies, national, regional and International NGOs, the academia, collaborated with government and across the region. At Total E&P, set up and supervised Biodiversity section handling multinational teams in biodiversity and sustainable development. Led government, CSO teams to investigate critical habitat and compliance of projects with IFC PS6. Under IISD-UNDP, led Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance and Presidential Initiative on Tourism-Conservation Investment research. Has experience in agro-commodities impacts in tropical environs, implemented biodiversity and livelihoods projects and authored briefs to influence policy. Richard managed Projects under WCS Uganda and coordinated Pandemic influenza-avifauna project under Birdlife-Uganda Partner, contributed to IUCN species action plans and National Red-list for Uganda. Spearheaded consultancies, conservation and tourism research regionally and led ESIAs in restoration, wetlands, Roads, Hydro-Power, Power-lines, Oil and Gas. Published in international journals and contributed to books.
Kevin Vallack (Director) Kevin has had a long and varied career in Law Enforcement. He worked for 22 years as a police officer in the UK Police Service and with Her Majesty’s Government in the UK. As a detective he was involved in investigating serious and complex crime, including financial investigations. He later joined Special Branch and subsequently the Home Office where he was pivotal in conducting and managing counter terrorism operations, specializing in the management of covert human intelligence operations in the UK and abroad. Kevin also has solid African experience. He has worked in Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique, delivering training programmes and consulting and mentoring law enforcement teams on matters regarding intelligence, investigations and other aspects of law enforcement and prosecution. He is currently consulting to the UNODC on a part time basis, primarily involved in improving training curricula and the delivery of law enforcement related training and mentoring under the Global Wildlife and Forestry Crime programme, focused heavily on Southern and Eastern Africa.
John B. Kabandize (Director) John holds an LL. B (Hons) Degree and a Post – Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. He is currently admitted to practise law as an Advocate, a Commissioner for Oaths and a Notary Public in Uganda. John has been in private legal practice for over 15 years. He specialises in Commercial Law, Land Transactions and Environment and Natural Resources laws. John has acted for and advised various international and domestic clients in commercial law transactions. He also practices environmental and natural resources law and has acted as Legal Consultant and Researcher in major legal consulting assignments. John has also previously advised various clients on land acquisition and resettlements and has also advised on setting up of private or community conservancies and on their legal and regulatory framework in Uganda. He also acts as company secretary for, sits on Boards of, and advises various private companies some of which are engaged in tourism and conservation.
Rachel Odoi-Musoke (Director) Rachel is an lawyer with vast experience in human rights and advocacy, legal and policy reforms and justice sector reforms having managed reform programmes and worked in the areas of legal and policy development and human rights protection and enforcement. She has worked in organisations focusing on legal aid, human rights and law reform and economic, social and cultural rights with a specific interest in environmental law. Rachel has served on the Board of Directors of Greenwatch (U) Ltd, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of ECO-Trust. She is passionate about human rights protection, environmental rights and conservation. Ms. Odoi-Musoke is an advocate of the Courts of Judicature of Uganda of over 24 years standing. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. She also holds a Master of Laws from the University of the Witwatersrand specializing in Company law and International Comparative and Human Rights Law with additional qualifications in Programme Management and Strategic Planning.
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