Benard Feni, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Gold Refinery Uganda Ltd and the Mungu Feni Foundation, has been officially inaugurated as a member of the Board of Directors of Malaria Free Uganda (MFU). The high-profile inauguration ceremony for the 2026–2029 term was presided over by the Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi. The board will serve a three-year term running from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029.
Feni joins a powerful 16-member team of national leaders tasked with delivering strategic oversight to eliminate malaria as a public health threat. The board is chaired by Kenneth Mugisha, with Grace Muliisa serving as Vice Chairman. It brings together top figures across government, business, faith, and civil society, including Hon. Milly Babalanda (Minister for the Presidency), Proscovia Nabbanja (MD, Uganda National Oil Company), Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu (Archbishop of the Church of Uganda), business mogul Charles Mbire, and Ramathan Ggoobi (Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury).
Feni’s appointment arrives at a defining moment for public health in the region. According to the WHO World Malaria Report, Uganda remains among five nations—alongside the DRC, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Nigeria—that collectively account for over half of all global malaria cases. The disease inflicts a devastating economic toll on the country, costing an estimated USD 577 million annually.
In response, the Ministry of Health has launched the aggressive Uganda Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (UMESP) 2026–2030, which shifts national policy from malaria control to absolute elimination. Backed by a nationwide distribution of 25.8 million next-generation insecticide-treated nets, the strategic plan targets zero malaria deaths and a 75% reduction in case incidence by 2030.
The appointment recognises Feni’s corporate leadership and underscores the critical role the private sector must play in closing public financing gaps. The MFU Board is mandated to provide strategic oversight for the End Malaria Fund, review annual work plans, and mobilise domestic resources to achieve the nation’s 2030 goals. Feni will serve in a voluntary capacity, spearheading cross-sector partnerships, corporate advocacy, and domestic resource allocation.
“Ending malaria requires an all-hands-on-deck approach,” said Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of Health, during the inauguration. “The integration of exceptional private sector leaders like Benard Feni ensures that we can mobilise the domestic resources and innovative strategies necessary to close the financing gap and save lives.”
The prestigious appointment adds a significant national public health role to Feni’s highly decorated profile. In September 2026, Feni was named CEO/Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ghana Merit Awards and Entrepreneur of the Year in Uganda. Concurrently, Euro Gold Refinery was named the Platinum Winner in the minerals category at the East African Brand Quality Awards. His philanthropy through the Mungu Feni Foundation has similarly earned widespread acclaim, including Best Community Development NGO and Best Local NGO at the West Nile Quality Brand Awards.
Malaria Free Uganda is a public-private partnership platform established to support the Ministry of Health’s efforts to eliminate malaria. By removing financial and cross-sectoral barriers, MFU coordinates corporate, political, and cultural leaders to accelerate resource mobilisation and drive the implementation of the Uganda Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan.
