When President Museveni- needed to mobilise Ugandan companies and individuals to support the government’s efforts to fight Covid-19 and its effects, he knew he could rely on one man- Emmanuel Katongole.
This April, President Museveni appointed Mr. Katongole to chair a 15-(wo)man committee- to oversee and spearhead fundraising efforts to support government’s fight of the deadly Coronavirus.
The committee of eminent persons from the public and private sector, included: Robert Kabushenga, Apollo Makubuya, Dr. Diana Atwine, Bishop Joshua Lwere, Dr. Ian Clarke, Dr. Francis Omaswa, Aga Sekalala, Francis Kamulegeya, Kishor Jobanputra, Patrick Mweheire, Bwoch Gustavus, Keith Muhakanizi and Dorothy Kisaka.
Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, the Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, co-chairs the committee.
As at May 17th 2020 the Katongole committee had mobilised up to UGX15 billion in cash and UGX13 billion worth of in-kind donations that include: 59 vehicles valued at UGX6.14 billion, as well as foodstuffs, medical equipment and others valued at UGXUGX6.86 billion- altogether UGX 28 billion.
There is clearly a lot of work to be one- but Katongole is the man for the job. He has the experience, the energy, leadership skills and the goodwill.
But this is not the first time Katongole is rising up to the occasion for humanity. According to Rotarian Anne Nkutu, he in 2013 while serving as District Governor for Rotary District 9211, initiated the idea to construct a $1.2 million blood Bank at Mengo to complement the existing National Blood Bank in Nakasero. The construction of the 800sqm facility cost US$ 856,000. This was funded by local initiatives including fundraising concerts, a Rotary Cancer run and donations from corporate entities, Rotarians and individual well-wishers. The sophisticated blood banking equipment and training of the specialized staff cost US$247,000, which was raised from Rotary Clubs both in Uganda and abroad through a Rotary grant. Now in its third year of operation, the Rotary Blood Bank is already collecting 38% of the blood requirements in Uganda’s Central region.
“Using his business acumen, Emmanuel Katongole has also played an instrumental role in mobilizing resources for Rotary projects across the world and has personally contributed more than USD $ 250,000 to the Rotary Foundation. For this, he was in 2015 at a ceremony in Chicago, the USA inducted as a member of the Arch Klumph Society, which recognizes Rotary’s highest tier of donors,” says Rotarian Anne Nkutu.
He also as a shareholder in Vero Food Investments, a mineral water manufacturing company, dedicated his profits from the company to benefit the Veronica Katongole Foundation, a nonprofit making organization paying school fees for needy and disadvantaged children.
Among people who commend Mr Emmanuel’s positive impact on the society is the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Mayiga, According to Mayiga, Mr. Emmanuel Katongole has worked with the Kingdom on many development projects, key among which is the Vero Food Industries (his company) which has a long term partnership with the Kingdom’s Majestic Brands Ltd for the production of Olwendo mineral water.
”The Kingdom and Mr. Katongole do also participate in short term collaborations. For example, on the visit of HM Asantehene Osei Tutu II from Ghana in 2018, the economic objectives of the King’s visit were arranged in partnership with M/s Cipla- Quality Chemicals and/ or Mr Katongole.
Quality Chemicals and/or Mr Katongole have participated in nearly all the major development projects like Ettoffaali; Twekobe Ejjudde( refurbishment of the official Mengo Palace); restoration of Muteesa House at Makerere University; support to Nnabagereka Development Foundation, and many others,” states Owek. Mayiga.
Henry Rugamba, a Rotarian who has worked closely with Katongole believes that the blood bank in Mengo Hospital will be Emmanuel’s legacy.
Irene Mwoyogwona: Beyond the Numbers – How Pride Bank's Award-Winning CFO Combines Profitability and Social Impact“He is the single largest donor to the Rotary Foundation in Uganda. Through this foundation Uganda has been a recipient of millions of dollars to fund projects across the country in areas of water and sanitation, equipped hospitals and schools, microfinance projects in rural areas, hosting medical international teams that have worked with the heart foundation and many other interventions,” says Rugamba, of Katongole’s charity works.
Anne Nkutu further desribes him as “a man of action – always seeking solutions to problems,”
“Mr. Katongole has been at the forefront of countless development initiatives in Uganda,” she says, adding: “Inspired by Mother Teresa, he is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others; and is as a result, very generous with both his time and his resources. This is most evident in his association with different charity organisations and particularly Rotary.”
24 years a Rotarian
Born in April 1962, Emmanuel Katongole is many things a statistician, businessman, electrician, industrialist and Rotarian with wealth of experience in senior management and leadership roles.
He joined the Rotary club of Muyenga in 1996. He steadily and diligently served his club, country and District rising to the position of Charter District Governor for Rotary District 9211 which comprises of Tanzania and Uganda in 2013/14. He thereafter served as Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation coordinator Zone 20A in 2016/17 and currently serves as Endowment and Major Gifts Advisor 2018-2021 for Region 21 Africa English speaking Countries. He is passionate about supporting the Rotary Foundation and in this regard, he is a member of the Arch Klumph and Bequest societies. He is also a Benefactor to the Rotary Foundation.
Emmanuel served as Rotary International President’s personal representative to District 3070 in India and has been a featured speaker at District conferences and Zone institutes including being appointed as Co-Chair of the 2nd All African Rotary Zone Institute.
Businesswise, Mr. Katongole was a Founding Chief Executive Officer of Cipla Quality Chemical Industries Limited and was promoted to his current position of Executive Chairman in November 2013. Previously, Emmanuel served as Managing Director and shareholder of Quality Chemicals Limited (the local firm that partnered with Cipla to form Cipla Quality Chemical Industries Ltd). He has a wealth of experience in senior management and leadership positions.
Emmanuel is also the Founder of Vero Food Industries-a food and beverage company; an independent Non- Executive Director of Absa Bank (U) Ltd; Chairman of the Uganda National Oil Company and Chairman of the Advisory Board of London based TLG Capital Ltd. He is a member of the Initiative for Global Development (Frontier 100)-a prestigious group that joins the most successful business leaders operating in frontier markets.
Besides numerous nominations, Emmanuel has won several business awards. He was the East African Winner and representative at the 2013 Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo. In 2012, he also bagged the 2012 Africa Business Leadership Award and the 2012 Africa Entrepreneurship Award.
He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Economic Policy and Planning and a Bachelor of Statistics degree- both from Makerere University. He is married to Resty Katongole and blessed with two sons and two daughters
