We work with a number of specialized personel in the field of Gender, climate change and Agriculture Systems in Africa
At GECA, each of our Staff Members is vital to our work's success, and as such, each is given ample opportunity to make a difference.
Board Chairperson
Dr. Jane Bemigisha is the Executive Director at ESIPPS International Ltd, the host institution
for GECA. She holds a PhD in natural resources/GIS and Remote Sensing. Dr Bemigisha has
over 30 years of experience in designing, leading, and contributing to research and
innovation in the domains of biodiversity, agriculture and soils, energy, water/wetlands, and
climate change, applying Earth Observation and Geoinformation technologies. Jane has skills
in environmental planning, policy development, gender analysis and mainstreaming,
mentoring, and business coaching.
Vice Chairperson
Dr Adolphine Kateka is GECA’s Board Vice Chairperson, and holds a PhD in natural resources
economics and climate change. Dr a Kateka is a part- time lecturer at the University of Dar-
es-salaam and for the past 15 years has been engaged in research and delivery of projects in
the fields of environment, natural resources, climate change, and sustainable development.
Dr Kateka is also the chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Board and a
member of a multiplicity of platforms including; Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), the
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science (WIOMSA); the Fundación Avina (a GCF Accredited
Entity and UNFCCC observer organization); the Genderaquafish organization; the Varysian
Hydromet Network; and the Third World Network among others.
Treasurer
Dr Henry Massa MAKUMA is a GECA Board Member and the Chair Finance Sub-committee.
Dr Makuma holds a PhD in Agricultural and Rural Innovations. Dr Makuma is an Associate
Partner and Program Director at ESIPPS International Ltd and a Research Fellow with the
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Makerere University. He is a consulting
practitioner in the areas of agriculture, environment, and natural resources management,
and works with the Regional Forums for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) on
Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Development in the Agricultural Sector in Uganda.
Board Member
Prof. Alice Oluoko-Odingo, is the Chairperson for the Board Technical Committee and holds a
PhD in Agricultural Geography and is an Associate Professor in the Department of
Geography, Population and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She is
the National Coordinator of the United Nation’s University and Partner Universities
Programme on Education for Sustainable Development in Africa (ESDA), and Environment
Judge at the National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND). Prof. Oluoko-Odinga was the
Gender Focal Point- at the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) in
Nairobi, and a Board member Association of Women’s Rights in Development (AWID). She is
currently the Soroptimist International Advisor to W7, one of the Vice Presidents of the
Academic Council of the UN Systems (ACUNS), the Chairperson, of the Centre for Education
for Sustainable Development in Africa, and Chairperson of the Gender Mainstreaming
Committee at the University of Nairobi, among other responsibilities.
Board Member
Dr. Vide Adedayo, is an Associate Professor at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and holds a
PhD in Agricultural Geography and specialised in Agro-Food Systems, Gender, and Ecosytem
Approach to Human Health (Ecohealth). Dr Adedayo is the regional representative for the
International Council of Educational Professionals (ICEP), a Member of the National Organic
Agricultural Practitioners of Nigeria, and an Ex-executive Member of the African Soil Science
Society among other responsibilities.
Board Member
Dr. Isaac Mugume holds a PhD in Meteorology specializing in NWP, and with a research
focus on the application of Numerical Modelling to agriculture, water, and hydro-climatic
disasters. Dr Mugume is the Director Forecasting Services at the Uganda National
Meteorological Authority (UNMA) in Uganda and a Council Member of the governing board
at the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda.
Board Member
Ms. Pyillis Kasambula holds an MSc in Crop Science, and is also a Certified PIP Trainer. Ms
Kasambula is retired from the National Agricultural Research Organisation Uganda after
more than 25 years of service as an agricultural technician and is currently engaged in
farming in Uganda.
Board Member
Ms. Maggie Kyomukama is the Assistant Commissioner of Gender and Women Affairs at the
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) in Uganda.
GECA Secretariat
Ms. Susan Bingi is the Executive Secretary at the GECA Secretariat and holds an MA in Socio-
economic information for natural resources management and a BA Social Sciences. She has
over 15 years work experience in more than 10 African countries in the integrated
development planning and project design, research and project evaluation, capacity
building, and information and knowledge management in multiple sectors (trade,
agriculture, environment and waste management). Ms Bingi is also actively engaged in
consultancy work, and serves on various development platforms and boards such as the
Spheres of Exchange Advisory Board (offers grants to nature-based enterprises), and
Professional Associate at the European Centre for Development Policy Management
(ECDPM)/Netherlands.
GECA Secretariat
Ms. Irene Eyogyiire is the legal and governance advisor to GECA, a lawyer and advocate of
the High Court in Uganda, and holds an MSc in Law and Accounting from the London School
of Economics. She is a Partner at Bytelex Advocates and offers tax advisory and compliance
support services to small and medium organisations.
GECA Secretariat
Ms Priscilla Tumuhimbise is the Programs Manager and holds a Masters in Leadership and
Human Relations Studies, and a BA in Commerce Degree. She worked at the National
Agricultural Research Laboratory as a Climate Change Project Research Assistant in the
Agrometeorology/Soils Unit until 2018 when she retired and has since been engaged in
participatory research in agriculture.