The Mungu Feni Foundation has been named the Best Community Transformation Organisation in East Africa at the East African Brand Quality Awards presided over by Vice President Jessica Alupo at Hotel Africana.
The Foundation, founded by businessman and gospel artist Benard Feni alias Mungu Feni, was recognised for community upliftment, youth empowerment, education support and humanitarian assistance, beating dozens of NGOs across the region.
The win capped a double victory for Feni at the same ceremony, where his company Euro Gold Refinery Ltd, Uganda’s first fully locally-owned gold refinery was declared Platinum Winner for Best Natural Resources and Extractives.
Feni attributed the recognition to values, not personal glory. “We believe in validation, we believe in job creation, and we believe in transparency, and it is because of this that we are able to receive this award,” Feni said. “This award is for all the youth of Uganda that believe in themselves.”
The East African Brand Quality Awards are based on consumer-driven research assessing quality, service value, integrity and innovation.
Presiding over the ceremony, Vice President Alupo, in a speech delivered by Andrew Matovu, Director of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), challenged businesses in Uganda and across East Africa to uphold quality, integrity and consistency.
She congratulated organisers and recipients, urging winners to regard their recognition not as an endpoint but as a responsibility to maintain high standards and mentor other businesses.
Feni commended government, particularly the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, for opening up the sector. He cited Euro Gold’s indigenous ownership and consistent performance as its distinguishing factor, refining to 99.9% purity (24-carat) with Italian eco-friendly technology and a workforce that is *over 70% Ugandan.
However, he flagged two persistent challenges facing indigenous miners: limited access to financing and lengthy licensing procedures.
“Many Ugandan miners are compelled to seek foreign investors because local financial institutions often provide insufficient support,” he said. “Uganda is naturally blessed and has all the minerals. Greater involvement by Ugandan banks would enable local entrepreneurs to expand while retaining a larger share.”
He warned that without local financing, Ugandans are forced to give away up to 70% shareholding to foreign investors.
The Hotel Africana honour adds to a growing list of recognitions for Feni and his Foundation, including 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.