Benard Feni, the founder and chief executive officer of Euro Gold Refinery Uganda Ltd, has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of Malaria Free Uganda, a national initiative supporting the government’s efforts to eliminate malaria as a public health threat.
The appointment was made by the Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, for a three-year term running from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029. The term is renewable once, subject to the initiative’s Board Charter.
In the appointment letter, Dr Baryomunsi said Feni’s inclusion on the board recognises his leadership, professional experience and the role the private sector can play in advancing Uganda’s national development priorities.
The minister said the appointment reflects a shared commitment between government and the private sector to strengthening a multisectoral approach to malaria elimination through collaboration among public institutions, businesses, civil society organisations and community leaders.
Feni, who is also known as Mungu Feni through his philanthropic work, is expected to contribute to strategic oversight, advocacy, domestic resource mobilisation and partnership development. The board will also oversee accountability for the initiative’s resources and the impact of its interventions.
Malaria Free Uganda was established as a national platform to support the Ministry of Health by mobilising domestic resources, strengthening advocacy and coordinating private-sector participation in the malaria response.
The initiative’s board is expected to provide strategic direction, review annual work plans and budgets, oversee the performance of the secretariat and promote accountability for funds committed to malaria interventions. Its responsibilities also include building partnerships and encouraging businesses to integrate malaria prevention and control into their corporate social responsibility programmes.
Uganda remains among the countries carrying a substantial share of the global malaria burden. The disease affects communities across the country, placing pressure on households, health facilities and the wider economy through treatment costs, lost working days and school absenteeism.
According to the World Health Organisation’s World Malaria Report 2025, which presents estimates for 2024, five countries- the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Uganda — accounted for more than half of all malaria cases worldwide.
The report estimated that 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths occurred globally in 2024, an increase from an estimated 273 million cases in 2023. The WHO African Region accounted for approximately 94 per cent of cases and 95 per cent of deaths, with children younger than five years particularly vulnerable.
The figures underline the scale of the challenge facing Uganda and other high-burden countries, where sustained investment in prevention, timely diagnosis and effective treatment remains essential.
Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Although it is preventable and treatable, delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe illness and death, particularly among young children and pregnant women.
For Uganda, strengthening these interventions requires not only public funding but also sustained participation by businesses, community organisations and households.
Uganda has implemented several interventions, including the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying in selected districts, community-based case management and expanded access to malaria testing and treatment.
However, health authorities continue to face challenges related to uneven malaria transmission, financing needs and the sustainability of interventions. The WHO has also raised concern about partial resistance to artemisinin-based antimalarial medicines, including in Uganda, underscoring the importance of monitoring treatment effectiveness and adhering to national treatment guidelines.
One of Malaria Free Uganda’s key priorities is to establish an End Malaria Fund or foundation bringing together senior government officials, private-sector leaders and community representatives to mobilise resources for the national malaria response.
The board is intended to help close financing gaps under the national malaria strategic plan, improve commodity security and strengthen accountability for commitments towards a malaria-free Uganda by 2030.
It will also seek to make malaria prevention a priority beyond the health sector by encouraging government ministries, departments and agencies to incorporate malaria interventions into their plans and budgets.
For the private sector, the approach creates an opportunity to support malaria programmes through corporate social responsibility, financial contributions, technology, supplies, training facilities and established community networks.
The fund is also expected to promote coordination between institutions whose activities affect malaria prevention and control, while helping direct resources towards critical challenges that also have implications for businesses and the wider economy.
As a non-executive director, Feni will be expected to help shape the initiative’s strategic direction, support resource mobilisation and partnership development, and provide oversight of the secretariat’s performance and financial accountability.
The board is scheduled to meet four times a year, alongside an annual strategy retreat and occasional additional meetings. The position is voluntary and non-remunerated, with reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out official duties reimbursed in accordance with the initiative’s policy.
The secretariat, meanwhile, is responsible for day-to-day management, tracking commitments, financial reporting and organising board meetings and the annual malaria forum. Technical working groups supporting the National Malaria Control Division provide technical guidance to the board.
Feni’s appointment adds a public health responsibility to his work in business and community development through Euro Gold Refinery and the Mungu Feni Foundation.
The foundation has focused on supporting vulnerable communities, empowering young people and improving livelihoods through locally driven initiatives. Its work has included skills development and support for disadvantaged groups, particularly in the West Nile sub-region.
In June 2026, the foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Madi and West Nile Diocese to support vulnerable communities. During the partnership event, Feni was recognised by the diocese for his generosity and collaboration.
The foundation has also received several awards for its community development work. At the 2025 West Nile Quality Brand Awards, it was recognised as Best Community Development NGO and Best Local NGO in West Nile, receiving the Quality Excellence Award – Platinum. It was subsequently named Best Community Transformation Organisation in East Africa at the East Africa Brand Quality Awards.
In September 2026, Feni received the CEO/Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Ghana Merit Awards, while the Mungu Feni Foundation was named Best NGO/Foundation of the Year at the same ceremony. The recognition highlighted his work across entrepreneurship and philanthropy.