Denise Kekimuri
At the beginning of December 2018, Vessel Is Me was birthed after the book launch of ‘So, What Next? (You Heal, You grow, You help others) a memoir by our founder Denise Kekimuri, her journey after experiencing a miscarriage at 7weeks and thereafter loss of her daughter Keitangaza at 8 months. The book documents the lack of bereavement care in health care sector in Uganda and the lack of mourning etiquette in our society. This book has been an important tool in pushing Vessel Is Me’ agenda to get the word out that 1) these things happen, babies die but there should be a decorum, a system set up to offer care and comfort to the women and couples and their families who experience this tragedy. Out of the book tour, Vessel Is Me was birthed as more and more women approached Kekimuri asking for help or support to deal with their emotional and mental breakdowns.
New Board Members (2023-)
Simon Ndaula
Simon Ndaula is a Clinical Psychologist with over 12 years of experience working within the field of mental health. He is devoted to listening to clients, assisting them to learn how to approach their mental, emotional and behavioral problems. He excels at providing individual and group psychotherapy to help facilitate social, vocational and personal adjustment to enable them live rich, meaningful and fulfilling lives. He is an effective trainer with good interpersonal and communication skills. He has a MSC in Clinical Psychology from Makerere University, he is affiliated with American Psychological Association (APA), Uganda Council for Psychology (UCP), Uganda Counselling Association (UCA) and Uganda Clinical Psychology Association (UCPA)
Sheila. Ajok Lubangakene
Sheila Ajok is a Public Affairs Principal & Officer at Civil Aviation Authority based in Entebbe. Previously Sheila was a Communications Officer at Equal Opportunities Commission and held positions at National Medical Stores, Airtel Uganda. Sheila is a Ugandan creative writer and author who won the Book of the Year award at the African Christian Author’s Book Award (ACABA) 2022 for “Still A Mum” which is one of the tools used at Vessel is Me to encourage and enlighten our bereaved parents.
Abisagi. Namugenzi Mugenyi
Abisagi N. Mugenyi is the current treasurer of the Board of Directors of Vessel is Me. She is a Chartered Accountant with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a banker by profession with Stanbic Bank Uganda. Abisagi brings over 8 years’ experience in accounting and also provides a lived experienced on the Board to ensure accountability and support. She also serves on the Board of Akina Mama Wa Afrika. She is enthusiastic about raising awareness and equality in all its forms.
Former Board Members. (2019-2023)
Hon Rtd. Justice Mary Maitum.
Hon Rtd. Justice Mary Maitum was the Chairperson for Vessel is Me from 2019- 2023. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for The Human Rights Centre Uganda, Member of the Victoria University Council, Member of the Elders Forum of Uganda, Chairperson of Dama Consultants Limited, Member of the Women’s Situation Room, Member of the Board of Governors of Emmaus Centre. She is also a Founder Member of Finance Trust Bank Ltd.
She’s held a number of positions which include Jude of the High Court of Uganda; Member of the Uganda Electoral Commission; Senior Principal Lecturer and Head of Department of Research and Continuing Legal Education at Law Development Centre, Kampala.
She was a delegate to United Nations 1984 and made two statements on Human Rights in Uganda and the Rights of Children; member of the Constitutional Commission.
Mrs. Goretti Bamwanga
Goretti. Bamwanga was out Vice chair from 2019- 2023. She is an innovative, creative, punctual, dependable, result oriented, professional former administrative secretary with World Bank Projects executed by UNDP. She is equipped with vast knowledge and experience in possession Diploma in French from Uganda Management Institute & Diploma in Counselling from the Kampala Evangelical School of Theology. She’s currently a counsellor with Mentors Team Africa, author of “Footmarks” that features the life journeys of 100 pioneering Ugandan women. She is a founding member of Rahab Uganda.
Mrs. Catherine Bagyenda.
Catherine Bagyenda was the Secretary of Board of Directors for Vessel is Me from 2019- 2021. She is an author of “Pieces of Me” a memoir of her journey dealing with infertility and addiction as a Ugandan woman. She’s currently a Pastor at Worship Harvest Kawuku where she continues to be a light and guide for women and couples dealing with fertility challenges.
Dickson. Mushabe.
Dickson Mushabe is the Founder and CEO of Hostalite, one of the leading Web Hosting Design and Software Development companies in East Africa. Founder of Cinnamon clubs, a Fintech that automates financial records of saving groups. Founder of Dolphin Fund, a digital crowdfunding/Fundraising platform. Dickson is an author of the bestselling business book “I am not sorry for my mistakes”, Author of a Business Blockbuster “31 Keys to Restart your Business”
