Benard Feni, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Gold Refinery Uganda Ltd, has been inaugurated as a member of the Board of Directors of Malaria Free Uganda (MFU), the national platform supporting Government’s efforts to eliminate malaria.
The inauguration ceremony for the new MFU Board of Directors for the 2026-2029 term was presided over by the Minister of Health, Chris Baryomunsi. The board will serve a three-year term from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029.
Feni, also the ceo of Mungu Feni foundation where he does his philanthropy was inaugurated alongside a powerful 16-member team of national leaders now tasked with giving strategic direction on how Uganda can finally end malaria as a public health threat.
The team is chaired by Kenneth Mugisha, with Grace Muliisa as Vice Chairman. It brings together top figures from government, business, faith, and civil society, including:
Hon. Milly Babalanda, Minister for the Presidency; Dr. Bildard Baguma; Proscovia Nabbanja, Managing Director of Uganda National Oil Company; Dr. Fabian Kasi; Eng. Dr. Harrison Mutikanga; Julius Mukunda; Lilly Ajarova, former CEO of Uganda Tourism Board; Robert Byaruhanga; Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda; business mogul Charles Mbiiire; Dr. Alan Shonubi; Simon Kaheru and Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury.
The appointment, made by Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, recognises Feni’s leadership and the critical role of the private sector in closing the malaria financing gap and making malaria prevention a cross-sector priority.
The MFU Board is mandated to provide strategic oversight for the End Malaria Fund, review annual work plans and budgets, oversee the secretariat, and mobilise domestic resources to implement the Uganda Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan 2026-2030, which targets zero malaria deaths by 2030.
The task is urgent. Uganda remains among five countries; DRC, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Uganda that account for over half of global malaria cases, according to the WHO World Malaria Report 2025.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration, Feni said:
As a board member, Feni will support strategic oversight, advocacy, domestic resource mobilisation and partnership development. The position is voluntary.
The appointment adds a national public health leadership role to Feni’s profile. In September 2026, he was named CEO/Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ghana Merit Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 in Uganda and Eurogold refinery as platinum winner of the year 2026 in minerals category at the East African Brand Quality Awards.
He has also won the Best Innovative and Extraordinary Entrepreneur 2026 by UNIGWA, and multiple wins at the West Nile Quality Brand Awards 2025, Quality Excellence Award – Platinum, Best Community Development NGO and Best Local NGO, among others.