The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Gold Refinery, Benard Feni, also known as Mungu Feni, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to entrepreneurship, innovation, and community development in Uganda.
Mungu Feni, who also heads the Mungu Feni Foundation, received the Best Innovative and Extraordinary Entrepreneur 2026 award from the Uganda National Innovative Graduates Wealth Creation Association (UNIGWA) in recognition of his transformative work in business and social empowerment.
The award was presented by UNIGWA President, Kiwanuka David, who commended Feni for his exceptional leadership and forward-thinking approach to enterprise.
“We are here to appreciate Mr Benard Feni, a Ugandan whose work speaks volumes. He has demonstrated exceptional intelligence, innovation, and leadership as a young entrepreneur through pioneering business initiatives, job creation, and community empowerment,” Kiwanuka said.
He noted that UNIGWA advocates for the development and empowerment of graduates across Uganda, adding that the awards are reserved for distinguished individuals who are driving meaningful change in the country.
Benard Feni expressed gratitude to UNIGWA for the recognition, describing the award as both humbling and motivating.
“We are truly grateful for this recognition. I have often seen such awards being given to ministers and other leaders, so for a young Ugandan like me to receive this is a great honour,” he said.
He added that the award serves as an inspiration to young people across the country striving to make a difference.
“This is a message to all Ugandans, especially the youth, that it is possible to achieve extraordinary things. Believe in yourself and in the potential of our local people,” he noted.
Mungu Feni’s recognition comes at a time when Euro Gold Refinery is increasingly positioning itself as a key player in Uganda’s mineral value addition agenda.
Euro Gold Refinery has been at the forefront of promoting local beneficiation of gold, aligning with government efforts to reduce raw mineral exports and enhance value addition within the country.
The company has invested in refining capacity, technology, and human capital to ensure that Uganda benefits more from its mineral resources.
The company already holds mining in Abim, where Euro Gold Refinery helped Kakoka artisan miners attain a gold mining license and have an MOU to supply gold to Euro Gold Refinery, A memorandum of Understanding with Mubende United Miners Association, where the MOU aims at value addition by refining it to 99.9% and recent mining license in Yumbe, promoting responsible mining practices, and integrate local miners into the formal economy.
Through these efforts, Euro Gold has not only boosted Uganda’s gold value chain but also created employment opportunities, with more than 70 per cent of its workforce comprising Ugandans trained to meet international standards.
Beyond business, Mungu Feni has made significant strides through the Mungu Feni Foundation, which focuses on community upliftment, youth empowerment, education support, and humanitarian assistance.
The foundation has spearheaded various initiatives, including support to vulnerable communities, skills development programs, and partnerships aimed at improving livelihoods.
Through these efforts, Feni has earned multiple recognitions over the years, including awards in community service, youth empowerment, and social impact.
The foundation was named Best Community Transformation Organisation in East Africa at the East Africa Brand Quality Awards, highlighting its growing influence beyond national borders.
It also scooped multiple accolades at the West Nile Quality Brand Awards in 2025, including Quality Excellence Award – Platinum, Best Community Development NGO, and Best Local NGO, in recognition of its work empowering youth and vulnerable communities in the region.
Mungu Feni has also won the Best New Star Gospel Artist award at the Shining Stars Africa Awards 2025/2026, held in Rwanda.