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About Us

Tugende is a for-profit social enterprise formally established in 2012 in Uganda. We use asset finance, technology, and a customer-centric model to help informal sector entrepreneurs dramatically increase their economic trajectory.

Operating in Uganda and Kenya, our 460+ staff have served over 30,000 clients and are rapidly growing and innovating.

“Helping people help themselves”

Our Mission

Core Values

Our DNA

Senior Management Team

Our management combines international corporate experience with a track record of scaling-up businesses in Africa.
Management Team Member
Michael Wilkerson
Founder & CEO
Management Team Member
Marisa Fee
Chief Operating Officer
Management Team Member
Stephen Ngugi
Chief Financial Officer
Management Team Member
Paul Chaggar
Chief Commercial Officer
Management Team Member
Patrick Asiimwe
Head of IT Systems & Innovations
Management Team Member
Sylvia Kushemererwa
HR & Administration Manager
Management Team Member
Rodney Schuster
Senior Risk Consultant / Head of Special Projects

Michael Wilkerson

Founder & CEO

Michael has lived full time in Uganda for more than nine years. He began his career as a Journalist and first fell in love with Uganda and motorcycle taxis during his internships at Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper and Independent magazine.

Michael holds a Master of Philosophy degree from Oxford University (UK), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University (USA). He is a Fulbright and Marshall Scholar, an Echoing Green Global Fellow, and a proud Alumnus of the Unreasonable Institute and Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI).

Marisa Fee

Chief Operating Officer

Marisa specialises in operations, start-ups, and scaling-up businesses. She is a multicultural and multilingual senior professional passionate about business processes, people empowerment through tools, and applicability across cultures, and has worked in the USA, Ghana, and Uganda. 

She previously worked with Groupe Nduom, and United Technologies Corporation (Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand).

Marisa has a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University (USA), a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in German with minors in French and Economics – both from The Pennsylvania State University (USA). 

Stephen Ngugi

Chief Financial Officer

Stephen specialises in finance, tax, risk management and analytics, and strategy. He is a senior professional skilled in tax planning, operational efficiency, and fundraising in the consulting, advisory, and financial services sectors across East Africa.

He previously worked with Chase Bank, Equity Bank, EY, and Strathmore University.

Stephen has a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Kenyatta University (Kenya), and is a Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.

Paul Chaggar

Chief Commercial Officer

Paul specialises in strategy, product development, and marketing and PR. He is a multicultural and multilingual senior professional skilled in building businesses and brand equity in the automotive, industrials, and professional services sectors across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

He previously worked with Simba Corporation, Volkswagen Group (Audi, Skoda, VW), Baker McKenzie, Linklaters, and PwC Consulting.

Paul has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Warwick (UK), and a Bachelor of Engineering & Commerce (Joint Honours) degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Business Studies with German from the University of Birmingham (UK).

Patrick Asiimwe

Head of IT Systems & Innovations

Patrick specialises in project management, systems analysis and design, database management, and systems maintenance and networks. His strength lies in setting up IT teams and infrastructure to support the achievement of short and long-term company goals and managing the change required. His experience spans financial services, agriculture, and health – both in the public and private sectors, across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Rwanda.

He previously worked with Data Care, and SMS2BET.

Patrick has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Makerere University (Uganda).

Sylvia Kushemererwa

HR & Administration Manager

Sylvia specialises in HR management. She is an HR strategic partner, employee champion, change agent, and a strong advocate of creating a positive environment that encourages self expression, talent development, and a highly engaged workforce to implement company strategies. Her sector experience spans NGOs, Education, Manufacturing, and Public Service.

She previously worked with the Uganda Law Society, Movit Products, and Taibah Schools.

Sylvia has a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education Science (Honours) – both from Makerere University (Uganda), and Certifications in Organisational Development from the Global Academy of Finance and Management (USA), and The American Academy of Financial Management (USA).

Rodney Schuster

Senior Risk Consultant / Head of Special Projects

Rodney is a commercial microfinance advisor and entrepreneur, and specialises in risk, regulation, credit, and product development. He previously established an MFI in each of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Sudan, and held different positions at Board, Shareholder, and Management level. Rodney currently serves on different Boards in the insurance, entertainment, and retail sectors.

He previously worked as a technical advisor to several MFIs and SME lenders including USAID, Pact, UNDP, and the International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions (INAFI).

Rodney has a Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University (USA), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley (USA).

 

460+

full-time staff in 20 locations across Uganda and Kenya. Our business continues to expand with the introduction of new products and services across new markets – all of which needs additional high-calibre talent.

Join Tugende

 

Kasirye Francis

“As a Surveyor, my job requires constant movement between sites. Work became easier when Tugende offered me a bike lease.”

Kasirye Francis, Wobulenzi Branch, Uganda - 3rd motorcycle lease
Mbalirwa Y. Sunday

“When I completed the first lease, I exchanged it for land. I consider Tugende as my family and that's why I've brought most of my friends to join.”

Mbalirwa Y. Sunday, Masaka Branch, Uganda - 3rd motorcycle lease
Samula Medard

“I'm planning for a house for my family since I now have my own asset to earn from, I really don’t want to imagine where I'd be without Tugende.”

Samula Medard, Masaka Branch, Uganda - 1st motorcycle lease

57 Ntinda II Road, Naguru, Kampala, Uganda

+256 800 900 848,  info@goTugende.com

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