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.

Asimwe has over 10 year’s track record as an advocacy specialist in various sectors including parliamentary democracy, governance, accountability, electoral processes, humanitarian and human Rights.  She has been involved in analyzing policy gaps and advocating for the implementation of the Access to Information Act, 2015 in Uganda – specifically, consideration of access to information reports in the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. She has successfully organized a number of multi- stakeholders engagements on different thematic areas under the auspices of USAID, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the Demogratic Governance Facility (DGF) and Diakonia, among others. Prior to joining CIPESA, she worked at the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) as Senior Programme Officer, Advocacy, Research and Governance. She holds qualifications from the Geneva Academy, Switzerland, Uganda Technology and Management University and Nkumba University.

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

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.

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, policy and technology. Her background includes work in the fields of communications strategy, 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.

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.

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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