So what is holding Uganda’s entrepreneurs back?

• Poor infrastructure.

Uganda generated sufficient hydro electricity to power Uganda and its neighboring countries, but it has not developed the lines to transmit electricity to rural towns and villages. Where there is electricity, it is often unreliable and subject to regular blackouts.

Roads throughout the country are in very poor condition, and not sufficient to transport a country of 48 million people. A trip from Kampala to Jinja, which is less than 100 km, can take you between 3 to 4 hours to drive. In Kampala, a 10 km trip can take well over an hour. These delays make transporting goods anywhere expensive and unreliable.

• Access to Education

Although public primary school education is free, schools are overcrowded (over 80 students per class in some cases) and lack basic supplies such as furniture, notebooks, pencils, making learning difficult for the vast majority of the population. In addition many parents chose to keep their children home to save on the costs of uniforms, food, or just to have them help with household chores. Thus although there are a large number of well educated entrepreneurs to work with, usually from middle to high income families who can afford to send their kids to private schools and University, a majority of the population barely attain a 6th grade education.

• Aid Dependence

There are hundreds of NGO’s and aid organizations providing food and services to Ugandans. Generally, most people expect that charities are probably accomplishing good unless we see them in the headlines getting caught misappropriating money. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, some charities can easily fail to have impact, even when they're doing exactly what they say they are.

Mellony De Souza is a seasoned independent contractor and business owner with over 20 years of experience in project management across sectors including aerospace, telecommunications, retail, banking, quick-service restaurants (QSR), and healthcare. She has led the successful implementation of large-scale technology and business transformation projects, and is Six Sigma certified. Mellony is recognized for her ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and deliver innovative, organization-wide solutions.

Born in Uganda and immigrating to Canada at a young age during the upheaval of Idi Amin’s regime, Mellony brings a lived experience of resilience and opportunity. She credits the strong women who guided and empowered her journey through education and entrepreneurship, and is passionate about paying it forward. As a visible minority woman, she is especially committed to supporting and mentoring young girls from underrepresented communities, helping them unlock their potential and find their voice.

As Treasurer of Einstein Rising Canada, Mellony combines her financial acumen and strategic insight with her deep commitment to social impact. She is proud to support the organization’s mission to empower social entrepreneurs and foster sustainable change.

Mellony De Souza, Treasurer

Mangeni Brian is a Finance & Strategy Leader with over 15 years of experience in financial management, investment advising, and impact investing. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and MBA holder , he brings robust financial governance, currently serving as a Portfolio Manager - East Africa for Ondernemers voor Ondernemers (OVO) and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for JKCC General Supplies.

His entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in his role as CEO/Team Lead and co-founder of Einstein Rising , an organization focused on supporting social entrepreneurs in Uganda to achieve sustainable growth. Brian is a serial entrepreneur with a focus on manufacturing, agribusiness, hospitality, and sustainable tourism, and he has a proven track record in leading diverse teams and driving organizational growth across East Africa.

Mangeni, Brian, Secretary

Charmaine Chadwick, Board Member

With over 30 years of experience in education, Charmaine Chadwick has dedicated her career to supporting students with learning and behavioural challenges. A passionate advocate for inclusive education, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Now retired, Charmaine continues to channel her care and dedication into other pursuits. She enjoys travelling, crafting, baking, and, most importantly, cherishing time with her loved ones—especially embracing her role as a proud new grandparent.

Her commitment to helping others remains strong through her involvement with Einstein Rising Canada, where she supports initiatives that empower individuals and communities in need.

Sheila Case, Board Member

Sheila Case is a Clinical Supervisor with over thirty years of experience working with children. For the past twenty years, she has been part of Autism Behavioral Services at TVCC (formerly Thames Valley Children’s Centre), where she has gained extensive expertise knowledge in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Sheila holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education and is a certified Ontario Behavior Analyst. She remains committed to ongoing professional development, continually expanding her knowledge and skill set to better serve children and families.

Driven by a passion for engaging staff, families, and children/youth, Sheila believes in the importance of respecting family preferences and incorporating cultural considerations into her practice. She values collaboration and shared learning with professionals across disciplines, ensuring the highest quality of service for the families she is honored to support.

Outside of work, Sheila enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends. A recent trip to Uganda provided a meaningful opportunity for reflection and inspired her to make a difference by joining Einstein Rising Canada.