Nabbanja, Atingi-Ego and Kainobwisho nominated 2025-2026 Business Trendsetters’ in public sector trendsetter award
The awards will be handed over at the 7th Business Trendsetters Forum Expo and Awards Gala 2026, recognizing public sector leaders whose reforms are shaping Uganda's economic and investment landscape.
The Business Trendsetters Forum (BTF) has unveiled finalists of the surveyed 2025-2026 Business Trendsetters. Proscovia Nabbanja, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, and Mercy Kainobwisho are the finalists of the Business Trendsetter – Public Sector Award.
The awards will be handed over at the 7th Business Trendsetters Forum Expo and Awards Gala 2026, recognizing public sector leaders whose reforms are shaping Uganda’s economic and investment landscape.
The 7th Business Trendsetters Forum Expo and Awards Gala 2026 is scheduled for July 29, 2026, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel under the theme “People, Purpose, and Artificial Intelligence in Business”.
The Public Sector Trendsetter Award honours government leaders whose policy reforms, institutional transformation and strategic leadership have strengthened public service delivery, improved the investment climate and contributed to Uganda’s economic growth.
According to the BTF Awards Committee, this year’s finalists were selected for driving innovation across three strategic sectors, energy, financial services and business regulation, that are central to Uganda’s long-term development agenda.
Energy Sector Leadership
Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) Chief Executive Officer Proscovia Nabbanja has been shortlisted for her role in advancing Uganda’s oil and gas industry while strengthening national energy security.
The committee credits Nabbanja with championing local content, enhancing transparency and positioning UNOC as a key driver of Uganda’s emerging petroleum economy.
Under her leadership, UNOC has attracted multi-billion-dollar investments, streamlined petroleum imports and strengthened initiatives aimed at ensuring the country’s oil resources generate sustainable value for future generations.
Her nomination reflects the strategic role the national oil company continues to play as Uganda prepares for commercial oil production and expands indigenous participation across the petroleum value chain.
Financial Sector Transformation
Bank of Uganda Governor Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego has been recognised for leading reforms that have strengthened Uganda’s financial markets and reinforced macroeconomic stability.
Since assuming office in February 2025, Atingi-Ego has overseen initiatives to modernise the country’s financial system, enhance the credibility of monetary policy and deepen financial inclusion through digital financial services.
According to the BTF Committee, his leadership has contributed to Uganda’s rise to third place in Africa’s Financial Markets Index, while reinforcing investor confidence and supporting sustainable economic growth.
The committee also highlighted his emphasis on expanding digital payments and maintaining sound monetary policies as critical drivers of a resilient financial sector.
Driving Business Registration Reforms
Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho has been nominated for spearheading reforms that have transformed business registration and intellectual property administration through digital innovation.
The BTF Committee says her leadership has simplified business registration procedures, strengthened intellectual property protection and improved corporate governance frameworks.
By prioritization digitalisation, transparency and efficient service delivery, URSB has become an important institution in improving the ease of doing business and supporting entrepreneurship in Uganda.
The committee noted that these reforms have created a more enabling environment for enterprise growth and innovation.
Recognizing Institutional Excellence
The Business Trendsetter – Public Sector Award recognises leaders whose work within public institutions is delivering measurable economic impact while improving governance and public administration.
This year’s finalists represent institutions at the heart of Uganda’s economic transformation, energy, finance and business regulation, underscoring the critical role of visionary leadership in strengthening public institutions, attracting investment and creating an enabling environment for private sector development.
The winners will be announced during the 7th Business Trendsetters Forum Expo and Awards Gala 2026, where outstanding individuals and organisations will be honoured for setting new benchmarks in innovation, leadership and business excellence.
The event is expected to bring together policymakers, business executives, entrepreneurs and development partners to explore how people-centred leadership and artificial intelligence are reshaping the future of business in Uganda.
