Open to opportunities

BESE TUKU-NEKO OGENA

@besetuku-nekoogena

Message

I lead climate, WASH, renewable energy, and infrastructure programs across Africa.

Uganda

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead multi-country climate, energy transition, WASH, and sustainable infrastructure programs where I can strengthen partnerships, governance, delivery systems, and measurable outcomes.

I've led climate, WASH, renewable energy, and infrastructure portfolios with African Promise Foundation, Turner & Townsend UK, Uganda Red Cross, and Caritas Gulu/Catholic Relief Services. At Turner & Townsend, I managed delivery planning, risk, procurement, financial forecasting, and stakeholder coordination for a proposed €110.6M national water and irrigation project across 687 sites in Uganda.

I bring 17+ years of experience building government, donor, UN, NGO, and private-sector partnerships across Africa. My work has included influencing Uganda's Biofuel Bill, co-leading fundraising that raised over US$1M for school WASH infrastructure, and supporting emergency water access for more than 600,000 refugees.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Country Director - Uganda Program

Current

African Promise Foundation, Inc.

Jul 2023 - Present (3 years 1 month)

Spearheaded APF's country operations and strategic growth, leading cross-sector initiatives in Education, Housing, WASH, and Economic empowerment. Designed the first Uganda Country Strategy and mobilized significant donor contributions.

Strategic Planning Resource Mobilization Partnership Building Education Housing Economic Empowerment Stakeholder Engagement Program Management

Project Manager - Infrastructure WASH/Solar Irrigation/Construction

Turner and Townsend UK Ltd

Jul 2021 - Jul 2023 (2 years)

Managed delivery of a €110.6M national water and irrigation infrastructure project across 687 sites in Uganda, funded by FCDO/UK Export Finance. Directed installation, commissioning, and coordination of 44+ sub-contractors and suppliers.

Project Management Infrastructure Construction Stakeholder Management Risk Management Financial Forecasting Procurement Net Zero Sustainability

Deputy Executive Director - Operations

Northern Uganda Women & Children Support Initiative (NUWOCSI

Apr 2019 - Jul 2021 (2 years 3 months)

Led operational oversight and institutional growth across three districts under GIZ-supported programs. Directed multi-sectoral projects in WASH, livelihoods, and rural enterprise development, securing a 45% increase in project funding.

Operational Leadership Program Management WASH Development Livelihoods Rural Enterprise Development Policy Development Donor Engagement Financial Management

Emergency WASH Manager - West Nile Refugee Response Operations

Uganda Red Cross

Jul 2018 - Mar 2019 (8 months)

Led emergency WASH operations supporting over 600,000 refugees in West Nile settlements, in partnership with German/Austrian Red Cross, UNHCR, and OPM. Oversaw water production, trucking, and distribution using ERU MSM40 & 20 systems.

Emergency WASH Humanitarian Response Distribution Infrastructure Rehabilitation Partnership Building Capacity Building PHAST

Technical Advisor - WASH, Environment & Construction

Engineers in Green Actions - Africa (EGAA)

Jan 2013 - May 2018 (5 years 4 months)

Collaborated with Parliament of Uganda, NUWOCSI, and African Promise Foundation to shape sustainable WASH, construction, and environmental programming. Led high-level delegations and contributed to national policy dialogue on the Uganda Biofuel Bill.

Environment Construction Policy Advocacy Strategic Planning Disaster Risk Reduction Stakeholder Engagement Technical Advisory

Managing Director/CEO - Operations

Frontline Engineering & Investments Ltd

Jan 2009 - Aug 2011 (2 years 7 months)

Co-founded and led WASH & construction engineering operations for multi-sectoral infrastructure across Northern, West Nile & Western Uganda. Directed strategic growth, project execution, and team management in a post-conflict recovery setting.

Business Leadership Project Execution Team Management Regulatory Compliance Bid Preparation Contract Negotiation Construction Supervision Rainwater Harvesting Solar Water Systems

WATSAN (Water & Sanitation) Project Officer

Caritas Gulu Archdiocese & Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Oct 2005 - Dec 2008 (3 years 2 months)

Led community-based WASH infrastructure and hygiene behavior change initiatives across conflict-stricken IDP camps in northern Uganda. Supervised a diverse team of hygiene educators and coordinated with partner agencies.

Sanitation Hygiene Promotion Community Engagement Project Management Team Supervision Site Assessment Water Source Rehabilitation PHAST