Suzy-Fox

Chairlady

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

Founder Trustee

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

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.

Patrick Jackson

Trustee

Richard Ssemanda

Chairman

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 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 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.

• Joska Advocates, 3rd Floor, Block B, UAP Nakawa Business Park, Plot 3-5 New port Bell Road, Nakawa, P.O.Box 26145, Kampala, Uganda

Rachel Odoi-Musoke

Director

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.

Dr Richard Lamprey

Technical Advisor

Dr. Richard Lamprey is a distinguished wildlife survey and remote sensing specialist based in East Africa. He has pioneered the application of small and medium format camera imaging for wildlife enumeration and land use assessment. Over the past 15 years, he has advanced innovative survey techniques using small-format digital cameras and has built a skilled Ugandan team of image interpreters. Dr Lamprey and the team expertly geo-reference, interpret, and quantify diverse data, including wildlife species, vegetation communities, crop types, and human settlements. They then organize this valuable information into comprehensive Excel meta-databases, providing users with detailed insights tailored to their specific needs.

Dr Sam Wasser

Technical Advisor

Dr. Sam Wasser, a biology professor at the University of Washington and director of the UW Center for Conservation Biology, is renowned for using DNA and forensic science to protect endangered species worldwide. His breakthrough methods analyze animal droppings to reveal species identity, health, and DNA, offering a powerful tool for tracking wildlife and combating poaching, particularly of elephants. Wasser’s work has helped law enforcement pinpoint poaching hotspots and dismantle trafficking networks by matching seized ivory to its geographic origin. His research also sheds light on complex ecological relationships, such as how leopards shifted their predation to baboons after elephant poaching declined. Wasser’s career began with a passion for animals and Africa, where he overcame early setbacks during political unrest to focus on field research. He innovated techniques for extracting DNA from hard materials like ivory, which provide court-admissible evidence against wildlife criminals. Beyond elephants, he studies endangered species like Northern Spotted Owls and wolves, often using specially trained dogs to find elusive samples. His research seeks to understand how wildlife adapts to ecosystems heavily influenced by humans, aiming to find ways for animals and people to coexist peacefully. This blend of science, conservation, and practical impact continues to drive his work protecting vulnerable wildlife.

Tom Okello

Technical Advisor

With over 30 years in forestry and environmental conservation, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to UCF’s mission of protecting Uganda’s national parks while promoting sustainable community livelihoods. Tom's distinguished career includes a six-year tenure as Executive Director of Uganda’s National Forestry Authority (NFA) from 2018 to 2024, where he led remarkable achievements such as increasing Uganda’s forest cover from 9.9% to 12.4%, recovering over 67,000 hectares of forest land, and integrating advanced technologies like GIS and drones in forest monitoring. Under his leadership, staff mobility and organizational revenue significantly improved, and partnerships with global development agencies flourished. Before his NFA role, Tom served at the Uganda Wildlife Authority in various capacities, including Assistant Director and Conservation Area Manager, where he championed collaborative wildlife management and revenue-sharing schemes for communities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences. At UCF, Tom leverages his extensive expertise to provide technical guidance on sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation projects, technological innovation in monitoring, and community engagement. His deep experience in forest governance and stakeholder collaboration positions him as a vital contributor to UCF’s mission.

Baker Tilly

Auditor

Baker Tilly Hem LLP (Baker Tilly) is a leading full-service professional firm in Uganda, providing comprehensive assurance, taxation, advisory, company secretarial, project finance, accounting, and human resource consulting services. Founded with a vision to revolutionize audit and consultancy services in Uganda, Baker Tilly has grown into a trusted partner serving over 250 clients, including individuals, corporates, and not-for-profit organizations. Their expertise spans diverse industries such as agribusiness, manufacturing, hospitality, technology, and the oil and gas sector, reflecting their commitment to supporting Uganda’s fast-growing economy. As technical advisors to the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF), Baker Tilly leverages its professional and advisory expertise to support the foundation’s conservation goals. Their involvement includes addressing the financial, governance, and operational challenges that NGOs face, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources in conservation projects.

Forvis Mazaars

Company Secretary

Forvis Mazars is a global leader in audit & assurance, tax, advisory, and consulting services with a strong local presence in Uganda. Operating as an integrated member of the Forvis Mazars global network, which spans over 100 countries and territories and employs more than 40,000 professionals worldwide, Forvis Mazars combines international expertise with deep local knowledge to deliver tailored solutions. As the Company Secretary for the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF), Forvis Mazars plays a critical role in ensuring robust corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and legal adherence. They provide comprehensive corporate secretarial services, managing statutory compliance milestones, supporting good governance practices, and helping UCF navigate evolving regulations efficiently. Their expert team helps reduce risks related to compliance failures, such as fines or legal challenges, thereby enabling the foundation to focus on its core conservation mission.

Dr Veronica Wabukawo

Technical Advisor

Dr. Veronica is a highly experienced and accomplished professional serving as a Technical Advisor at the Uganda Conservation Foundation. With over thirteen years of expertise in Private Banking and Finance, she specializes in credit risk management, demonstrating exceptional skill in managing complex financial challenges. Prior to this, she gained six years of valuable experience in economic development, policy research, and teaching. Dr. Veronica is proficient in advanced statistics, econometrics, as well as micro and macroeconomic modeling. She excels at combining technical expertise with critical business insight to optimize strategy and support effective decision-making. Known for her accountability, she has successfully managed multi-million dollar budgets and resource allocation, delivering significant cost savings. She is recognized as a top-performing manager, with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams, while also excelling in integration, training, and mentoring of new talent. She is adept at fostering cross-functional collaboration with global departments and senior stakeholders, driving impactful results across diverse areas.

Prof Colins Chapman

Technical Advisor

Prof. Colin Chapman is a distinguished biologist, biological anthropologist, and conservation scientist currently serving as a Technical Advisor for the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF). With over 34 years of dedicated research and conservation work in and around Kibale National Park, Uganda, Professor Chapman has become a globally recognized authority on primate ecology, population dynamics, and biodiversity conservation. Prof. Chapman received a joint Ph.D. in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Alberta and completed post-doctoral research at McGill and Harvard Universities. He has held academic positions at the University of Florida, McGill University (where he was a Canada Research Chair), George Washington University, and now Vancouver Island University. His illustrious career is also marked by prestigious honors, including being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Killam Research Fellow, and recipient of the Velan Foundation Award for Humanitarian Service. Beyond academia, Chapman has invested deeply in community-focused conservation efforts. He founded the Kibale Health and Conservation Project, which integrates healthcare and conservation to improve local livelihoods and reduce illegal wildlife hunting. His initiatives include establishing a health clinic, a mobile clinic, field stations, and ecotourism projects centered on chimpanzees and crater lakes. Throughout his career, he has published over 600 scientific articles with an H-index exceeding 110, supported by more than $21 million in research funding. Prof. Chapman’s blend of rigorous science, humanitarian commitment, and practical conservation leadership makes him a vital asset to the Uganda Conservation Foundation in its mission to protect Uganda’s biodiversity and support local communities.