CCS Foundation
Christopher Columbus Sembuya Foundation
Our Leadership

The Founders

The Board comprises six visionaries and like-minded personalities led by Ms. Rita Sembuya who is the Founder / Board Chair.

Rita Ddungu Sembuya

Ms. Rita Sembuya

Founder / Board Chair
Lead Founder

Ms. Rita Ddungu Sembuya

Ms. Rita Ddungu Sembuya is the lead founder of the Christopher Columbus Sembuya Foundation (U) Ltd. After the passing of Christopher Columbus Sembuya on 11th January 2022, she took a paradigm shift to demystify death and chose to revisit the life of C. Columbus Sembuya — deciding to do something about it.

"Death be not proud... for thou art not so."

— John Donne, Holy Sonnet 10

Rita buried the death and surfaced with life — reaching out to like-minded persons who were impacted by their association with the late Christopher Columbus Sembuya (1936–2022).

Work Experience

Teacher: Rita specializes in language — English. She is an expert in teaching literature to mold society on conflict and its resolutions, serving as a debate coach and patron for over ten years at Kitante Hills School.

Exposure: Long exposed to the historical formation of entities like Sembule Commercial Bank Ltd, Pan World Insurance Company, ATC Sembule and Sembule International — motivating her to continue C. Columbus Sembuya's legacy.

Authorship & Social Innovation

Article: "The Patient's Voice" — Oxford University Eshire Journal.

Social Innovation: Rita is an Ashoka Fellow, elected 2003, for her health advocacy in founding the Joyce Fertility Support Center Uganda.

Awards & Community Involvement

Award: The Global Patients Advocates Award by ICSI — International Consumer Support for Infertility, Lyon France 2007.

  • Chair, ICSI African Alliance
  • Member, International Alliance of Patients Organizations (IAPO)
  • Advisor to WHO on reproductive health / infertility

Board Membership & Profession

  • Platform for Labor Action (PLA)
  • Private Education Development Network (PDEN)
  • Conservation through Public Health (CTPH)
  • Secretary for Environment, LC1 Windsor Crescent
  • Chair, CCS Foundation (U) Ltd

Profession: Bachelor of Arts with Education — Makerere University, 2013.

What She Brings Into the Foundation

  • Innovations and creativity across all foundation programs
  • Records of historical archives of Sembuya's entities for future regeneration
  • Educational tools to turn achievements into job-creating production
Rachel Lubega
Board Member

Mrs. Rachel Lubega

Rachel Lubega is a dynamic professional with over 22 years of expertise in corporate event management, entrepreneurship, and training. She brings to the foundation vast knowledge and experience spanning finance, community leadership, and women's empowerment.

Chairperson, Professional Conference Organizers, Uganda
Board Member, Uganda Association for Conferences & Incentive Industry
Vice Chair, Mpererwe Development SACCO
Professional Cluster Chairperson, Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Ltd

Professional Expertise

  • Event Management Expert with over 22 years of experience
  • Co-Director of Quality Management Services (QMS), specialising in corporate event management and soft skills training
  • Certified Professional Conference Organizer
  • Accredited SIYB (Start and Improve Your Business) Trainer

Educational Background

  • Bachelor's Degree in Sociology — Makerere University
  • Master's Degree in Public Administration — Makerere University

Career Highlights

  • Former Banking Officer at Sembule Commercial Bank
  • Administrative Manager at Sembule Steel Mills Ltd
  • Chairperson, Professional Conference Organizers Uganda

Community Leadership

  • Member of the Mothers' Union, Church of Uganda
  • Chairperson, Christian Women Fellowship — Mpererwe Parish, Gayaza Archdeaconry
  • Active mentor and advocate for women and youth empowerment
  • Provides training in entrepreneurship and financial literacy

Contributions to the Foundation

  • Founding member dedicated to preserving the legacy of C.C. Sembuya
  • Custodian of archives and historical records of Sembuya's entities, offering expertise in revisiting and innovating ideas
  • Promotes banking innovation, financial literacy, and small-to-medium entrepreneurial skills for youth

Key Skills & Attributes

🎯
Event Management

Exceptional organisational and event management expertise built over 22+ years

🧭
Governance & Leadership

Proven leadership across multiple boards and professional associations

💡
Community Empowerment

Deep commitment to sustainable development, mentorship and women's empowerment

Board of Founders

Other Board Members

Four more dedicated visionaries who bring their own expertise, networks, and lived history to the foundation's continuing work.

Ms. Jackie C. Nansubuga JN

Ms. Jackie C. Nansubuga

Founder Member (2023)

A highly motivated trainer and event manager with over 22 years of experience — Director at Quality Management Services Ltd and former Programme Manager, USAID Global Technology Network.

Mr. Edward Mubiru EM

Mr. Edward Mubiru

Founder Member

A first-hand witness to the growth of Sembule Investment Finance into Sembule Commercial Bank, and pioneer manager of its Jinja Branch.

Mrs. Caroline Namugenyi CN

Mrs. Caroline Namugenyi

Board Member

An academician and social justice activist completing her Doctorate at Makerere Institute of Social Research, and Council Director of Scholars Debate Academy.

Ms. Nancy Okecha NO

Ms. Nancy Okecha

Board Member

A professional lawyer with years of experience in law, bringing legal expertise and governance insight to the foundation's board.

Be Part of the Story

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