CIPESA Staff

Welcome to the CIPESA team page, where you’ll meet a group of exceptional individuals who bring a wide range of skills, experience, and perspectives to our organization’s work. Our team is made up of dynamic and multi-talented professionals who are passionate about advancing digital rights and open governance in East and Southern Africa. With diverse backgrounds and expertise spanning policy research, advocacy, communication, and technology, our team members bring a unique and valuable perspective to everything we do. We are proud to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where every team member is empowered to contribute and make a meaningful impact. Get to know our team members and discover the incredible talent and dedication that drives our mission to promote an open and inclusive digital society in the region.

Alice joined CIPESA in 2012 and is responsible for overseeing the office’s day-to-day operations. She holds a Diploma in Information Technology Business from Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology (UICT) and a Bachelor of Business Computing from Makerere University Business School (MUBS).

Ashnah coordinates multi-country projects promoting the use of ICT in democratic processes and for citizen participation, including training for citizen journalists, mainstream media and government officials. She holds an MSc in Informatics with a major in Electronic Government (Örebro University, Sweden) and a BSc in Computer and Management Sciences (University of Warwick, United Kingdom), and has work experience from Spain, UK, and various African countries. She currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Global Partners Digital (GPD), International Media Support (IMS) and the Internet Freedom Fund – an initiative of the Open Technology Fund (OTF).

Beatrice holds a Bachelors of Commerce (Accounting) from Makerere University and a Diploma, Business Studies (Accounting) from Makerere University Business School. She has for more than nine years managed finances for various projects, including for CIPESA since 2005.

Brian is a technology enthusiast and human rights advocate with a background in Web and Application Development, ICT Infrastructure Security and Optimization, Risk Assessment and Management, and Digital Forensics. He is a certified Digital Security and Adult Literacy trainer. Prior to joining CIPESA, Brian worked with the Defenders Protection Initiative (DPI), where he headed the digital security for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) program and oversaw the Digital Security Alliance – a digital security support ecosystem that works to protect HRDs, activists, and journalists in Uganda. His academic background is in Mechanical Engineering and he has previously worked in the telecommunications, logistics, and media industries. Brian is also a rugby lover, a programmer, and a graphic designer.

Daniel works as Project Officer – ICT for Democracy and Civic Participation. He is a fervent tech commentator on issues about the openness of the internet, startups and entrepreneurship in Africa. Prior to joining CIPESA, he worked as a research communicator with Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute (M-ITI) on social tech ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa. Daniel’s work at CIPESA focuses on Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda but he also regularly analyses tech issues in Africa on iAfrikan, a pan-African tech publication, and on the Uganda-based consumer tech blog, Dignited, where he is a co-founder.

Doreen is an M&E practitioner with more than seven years of experience in developing and implementing M&E systems, as well as program management in the governance and human rights fields. She holds a Masters’ degree in Economic Policy and Planning (Makerere University), Post Graduate Diploma in M&E (Uganda Management Institute), Bachelor’s Degree in Development Economics (Makerere University). Prior to joining CIPESA, Doreen worked with the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda where she headed the M&E department.

Dorothy has worked as CIPESA’s Finance Officer since 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Development Studies from Kyambogo University and is currently pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI). She previously worked as a Peer Educator with the Lutheran Media Ministry Uganda and as a Data Analyst with the Makerere University Walter Reed Project.

Edrine is an Advocate of the Courts of Judicature of the Republic of Uganda. He joined CIPESA with more than five years experience as a professional on awareness raising, advocacy and research in human rights, rule of law and democracy. He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) from Makerere University and a Diploma in Legal Practice (Dip L.P) from the Law Development Centre (Uganda). Edrine has also undertaken leadership training with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Germany Foundation. He is a specialist in East African Community Law, the Law of Economic Integration, International Law, Human Rights and the Law governing Not-for-profit Organisations.

Gerald is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (CPA-U) and Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), with extensive experience in Financial, Grants, and Operations Management across diverse sectors, encompassing both donor-funded organisations and the private sector. He joined CIPESA in January 2024, prior to which, he worked with the Uganda National NGO Forum overseeing the financial management of projects funded by USAID, the European Union, and the Royal Danish Embassy.  He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom.

Dr. Hannah Muzee holds a Ph.D in Governance and Regional Integration from the Pan African University Institute of Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Yaounde II, Cameroon and a Masters in Human Resource Management from Makerere University. She specialises in gender politics and governance and has comprehensive experience in research and program management. Hannah has previously worked with the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) and Kyambogo University’s Faculty of Social Sciences and the School of Management and Entrepreneurship.

Juliet holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Rhodes University in South Africa where she specialised in Writing and Digital Media. She has also completed a course on Social Innovation Management with the Amani Institute in Nairobi, Kenya. She is interested in the intersection of society and technology. Her background includes work in digital rights, media and market research across East and Southern Africa.

Lillian has seven years of ICT policy research and advocacy experience, having joined the organisation as a Policy Officer in 2007. She has facilitated and coordinated ICT policy workshops – including coordinating the East African Internet Governance Forum in 2011 and 2015. Lillian has a Bachelors of Development Studies (Makerere University, Uganda) with a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management as well as advanced training in Internet studies. She holds a Masters in Digital Media and Society from Uppsala University, Sweden. She is also the President of the Internet Society (ISOC) Uganda.

Patricia joined CIPESA in 2024 with prior extensive experience working in not-for-profit and for-profit organisations in various fields including International Human Rights Law, Development Finance, International Trade Policy, International Relations and Journalism. She has previously worked with the Financial Accountability & Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition in Washington D.C, USA as a Research Fellow; Reteno & Associates in Johannesburg, South Africa as an Engagement Manager; and the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) in Arusha, Tanzania as a Programme Officer. Other roles were with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) also in Arusha, Tanzania; the Eruption Group in Port Louis, Mauritius; as well ED&F MAN and the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC TV) – both in Kampala, Uganda. She holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) in Tanzania, and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Nkumba University in Uganda. She is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) at Middlesex University in the United Kingdom.

Paul is a media trainer and researcher with over 15 years’ experience in journalism, media development, and human rights advocacy. His professional interests include media policy and regulation, freedom of expression, and digital rights. He is the author of Media Regulation and Practice in Uganda: A Journalists Handbook, and Djibouti: Media and the Law. He holds a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Makerere University, Uganda.

Dr.  Peter G. Mwesige is Chief of Party of the USAID-CIPESA Your Rights Activity. A recognised leader in the journalism, media and communication sector in East Africa, he is a co-founder of the Kampala-based African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME). A holder of a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Indiana University, Bloomington, U.S.A., and a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo, Egypt, Dr. Mwesige has chaired the Department of Journalism & Communication at Makerere University, Kampala, where he was also a senior lecturer. He recently completed intensive training in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, and is looking forward to supporting CIPESA’s documentary filmmaking portfolio. Dr. Mwesige has worked as Group Training Editor of Nation Media Group (NMG), East Africa’s biggest multi-media company, where he was in charge of newsroom training at nearly 12 media outlets in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. He was before that Executive Editor of NMG’s Kampala-based Monitor Publications Ltd, publishers of the Daily and Sunday Monitor. Dr. Mwesige has also served as a board member for several local and international NGOs.

Sharlon has over ten years of expertise in procurement and logistics management. She is currently pursuing a professional certification with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPs). She holds a Master’s in Business Administration (Project Management) from Makerere University Business School (MUBs), and a Bachelor’s in Procurement and Logistics Management from Kyambogo University. Previously, she has worked in the telecommunications, transport and health sectors.

Simone Toussi is CIPESA’s Francophone/Central Africa Project Officer. She holds a BA in Modern Letters and an MA in Strategies with a major in Advertising, both from the University of Yaounde 1 (Cameroon). She also holds an MA in Development Studies with a major in Media and Communication, from Senghor University of Alexandria (Egypt). She has worked in Canada, Eastern Europe, and Africa as a strategic communication’s specialist and consultant, with experience in international organizations, NGOs and the private sector.

Victor is a lawyer, human rights defender, researcher, and a tech-enthusiast with over eight years experience in the legal sector. His areas of specialization include among others: legal practice, legal compliance, arbitration, human resources, project management, research, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, strategic planning and public policy. He also has a keen interest in leadership, business, governance, ICTs and social justice. Victor is an alumni of the University of Nairobi School of Law, Strathmore Business School and the Kenya Institute of Management. He is also a member of the Law Society of Kenya, where he served in its criminal justice committee in 2015, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya), the Internet Society (ISOC) and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) He also serves on the board of Youth Alive Kenya (YAK).

Dr. Wakabi Wairagala the Executive Director and has extensive experience in integrating ICT in communications and development work. Wakabi holds a PhD in Informatics with a specialisation in e-Government from Örebro University, Sweden, an MSc in Informatics (Örebro University, Sweden) and an M.A in Media Studies (Rhodes University, South Africa). He has worked with CIPESA since 2006 and has also been involved in various collaborative researches with African, Asian and North American think tanks and NGOs.

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