Makerere University will, tomorrow, confer honorary doctorates upon two globally respected leaders — Reeta Roy, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mastercard Foundation, and Japheth Katto, one of Uganda’s foremost corporate governance and capital markets architects — during its ongoing 76th Graduation Ceremony this week.
The recognition comes at a historic moment for the university, which is also celebrating the highest number of PhD graduands in a single sitting. The conferment underscores Makerere’s commitment to honouring individuals whose leadership has transformed institutions, strengthened systems, and expanded opportunity both in Uganda and globally.
Japheth Katto: Architect of Uganda’s Capital Markets and Governance Reform
For Japheth Katto, the honorary doctorate is a tribute to more than three decades of service in financial regulation, board leadership, and corporate governance reform.
Widely regarded as a founding pillar of Uganda’s modern capital markets framework, Katto was appointed in 1998 as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Uganda — a position he held for 16 years. During that formative period, he laid the regulatory and institutional foundations that continue to guide investor protection, securities trading, and market oversight in Uganda today.
His career began in the United Kingdom, where he served in senior roles within the UK Department of Trade and Industry and later within financial services regulatory institutions, overseeing fund managers, unit trust managers, and investment advisers. That global exposure would later inform his disciplined approach to regulation and governance reform back home.
Beyond capital markets, Katto has been instrumental in shaping pension reform and financial oversight in Uganda. He chaired the Ministry of Finance’s Pension Reform and Regulation Committee, a process that ultimately led to the establishment of a pensions regulator. He also served as a Commissioner on the Commission of Enquiry into the Closure of Ugandan banks in 2000 — a defining moment in the country’s financial sector reforms.
Today, Katto continues to influence boardroom standards across the region as Chairman of major institutions and through his corporate governance advisory work. As a distinguished member of the League of East African Directors (LEAD), he has championed board effectiveness, accountability, ethical leadership, and sound oversight practices across public and private sector institutions.
In recognizing him, Makerere University is acknowledging his contribution to the development of capital markets, the accountancy profession, and corporate governance nationally, regionally, and globally — a body of work that has strengthened institutional resilience across East Africa.
Reeta Roy: A Global Philanthropic Leader with Deep Roots in African Education
Joining Katto in receiving the honorary doctorate is Reeta Roy, the former President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, one of the world’s largest and most impactful philanthropies.
Roy led the Foundation from 2008 until her transition on 31 December 2025. Under her leadership, the Foundation became globally recognized for its collaborative approach, transformative impact, and strong support for African organizations and communities.
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Her leadership has had a particularly strong imprint on higher education in Uganda. Through partnerships with Makerere University, the Mastercard Foundation provided significant funding for scholarships, student support programs, and institutional strengthening initiatives aimed at expanding access to quality education for young people — especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Following the devastating 2020 fire that damaged Makerere’s iconic main building, the Foundation made a $1 million USD contribution toward restoration efforts, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the university and Uganda’s higher education sector.
Globally, Roy also spearheaded the Foundation’s landmark $1.5 billion “Saving Lives and Livelihoods” initiative in partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), aimed at ensuring Africa received equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The program trained and deployed 40,000 health workers and significantly increased adult vaccination rates across the continent.
Her career began at the United Nations, followed by 17 years in the health industry, including leadership roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Abbott. A beneficiary of scholarships herself, Roy holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy and has received multiple global recognitions, including being named among TIME100’s most influential leaders in philanthropy.
Honouring Leadership that Builds Institutions
The conferment of honorary doctorates upon Katto and Roy during Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony reflects the university’s broader mission: to celebrate leadership that advances society beyond academic excellence.
Katto’s work strengthened financial architecture and governance culture at a time when Uganda’s markets were still taking shape. Roy’s leadership expanded educational access and institutional resilience, ensuring that young people — particularly in Africa — could access opportunity and shape their own futures.
Together, their honours symbolize two complementary pillars of development: strong institutions and empowered people.
As Makerere University continues its 76th graduation celebrations this week, the recognition of these two leaders sends a clear message — that enduring impact lies not only in personal achievement, but in building systems that outlast generations.
