Our Board brings together visionary, dedicated leaders from across the world and with diverse expertise to guide us to greater levels of success. It consists of nine directors plus the Chief Executive Officer as an ex officio member, all of which are appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Amb. Sefue joined the Institute’s Board in November 2021. He previously served as Chief Secretary to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania (2011 – 2016) after a successful career as a diplomat. Amb. Sefue’s postings included: Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations, Ambassador to the United States of America, High Commissioner to Canada, and Counsellor in the Embassy of Tanzania in Stockholm, Sweden.
He also worked as as a speechwriter and personal assistant to two Tanzanian Presidents — Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1993 – 1995) and Benjamin William Mkapa.
Amb. Sefue was part of the team behind the landmark Our Common Interest: Report of the Commission for Africa, published by the Commission of Africa (The Blair Commission) in March 2005. Alongside President Mkapa, he participated in the 2005 G8 Summit that discussed the report. He also worked with President Mkapa when he served as co-chair of the ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation (2002 and 2004). He also contributed to the preparation of the Commission’s 2004 report, A Fair Globalisation: Creating Opportunities For All.
In addition, Amb. Sefue has been a member and chairman of the Panel of Eminent Persons of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an African Union institution established to promote good governance across the continent.
Amb. Sefue holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Institute of Social Studies (The Netherlands). His recent publications include The Mkapa Years: Collected Speeches (2014).
UONGOZI Institute is managed by a lean, highly-skilled secretariat responsible for developing and coordinating the implemention of programmes and operations. In-house expertise is also drawn from the internationally recognised training institute HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd. To further provide the highest quality of leadership services and products, the Institute engages a network of local and international experts on a consultancy basis.
© 2024 UONGOZI Institute
Dr. Ndumbaro was appointed an Institute board director in May 2017 and became Vice Chairperson in May 2021.
Between 2017 – 2023 he served as Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office, Public Service Management and Good Governance, Tanzania. He has a wealth of experience in helping to set standards and improve efficiency in the public sector. His previous appointments include serving as Political Advisor to President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete; Senior Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam; plus various human resources management roles in public sector and parastatal bodies.
Dr. Ndumbaro was educated at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and University of Florida (USA) where he obtained a PhD.
Amb. Swan joined the Institute’s Board in May 2021.
She served as Ambassador of Finland to Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi between 2019 – 2022. Her previous appointments include serving as Ambassador of Finland in Abu Dhabi. In the diplomatic service, she has also held appointments in Hungary and Sweden.
Amb Swan’s career with Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, spanning over 30 years, has given her valuable insights into bilateral relations, including cooperation with international organisations, NGOs and other partners.
She was educated at the University of Tampere (Finland).
Dr. Mwinyimvua’s appointment was made in May 2021.
He is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam. His former posts include serving as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy (Tanzania) and the Prime Minister’s Office; Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; and Economic Advisor to President Kikwete.
He was educated at the University of Dar es Salaam and Lund University (Sweden) where he obtained a PhD.
Ms. Mlawi was appointed an Institute board director in May 2021.
She is a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Art and Sports (Tanzania). Her previous roles working as a senior civil servant in various ministries and the President’s Office, include serving as a Deputy Permanent Secretary; Cabinet Undersecretary; Acting Cabinet Under Secretary; and Legal Advisor.
Ms. Mlawi’s alma mater is the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
Prof. Wange became an Institute board director in May 2021.
He is Principal Research Associate with The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) and Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA) after serving as Executive Director of both Tanzanian institutions.
Previous appointments include Professor of Economics at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); Senior Research Fellow at the UN University Institute for New Technologies (Netherlands); Policy Adviser in public service management in the President’s Office (Tanzania); and Chair of Daima Associates (Tanzania).
Ms. Soiri has been an Institute board director since May 2017.
She is Education and Science Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in South Africa. Her previous appointments include serving as Executive Director of the Nordic Africa Institute (Sweden); Senior Advisor of Development Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland); and Counsellor for Governance at the Embassy of Finland in Tanzania.
Ms. Soiri has worked 30 years as senior expert in development policy and global affairs for various bilateral and multilateral agencies.
She was educated at University of Helsinki (Finland), and is currently a doctoral candidate in international politics in the same institution.
Mr. Walker has served on the Institute’s Board since May 2017.
He was the first Director of the European School of Administration. He also served as Director of Human and Financial Resources at the department for interpretation (DG Interpretation and SCIC) and Head of Training and Development at the European Commission. He previously worked in the European Commission’s Legal Service.
David Walker is an active member of the Network of Directors and Institutes and Schools of Public Administration (DISPA) within the European Union.
His alma mater is the University of London (UK).
Prof. Mlama has been an Institute board director since May 2017.
She is a retired professor of the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Previously, she served as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic); Dean and Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Head of Department.
In addition to her academic work, Prof. Mlama is a celebrated playwright and has held various positions within civil society to promote gender equality and development. She was educated at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
Mr. Singo was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Institute in April 2021. His previous roles at the Institute include Acting CEO; Head of Executive Education; Capacity Development Specialist; and Programme Director.
Prior to joining the Institute, his previous appointments included Strategic Business Development Director at the Tanzania Investment Group (California) and various learning and training positions at United Nations Children’s Fund (New York).
Mr. Singo has a strong background in learning and leadership development; change management; and project planning. He has supported a number of senior leadership teams across Africa in relation to personal leadership and emotional intelligence; change management; strategic leadership; design thinking; and effective business process management.
He was educated at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), University of Phoenix (USA) and Aalto University Executive Education (Finland). In addition, he has completed professional training with the Harvard Kennedy School of Government (USA), the London School of Business Studies (UK) and the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management (Finland).