Sarah Babirye Lubega

Since July 2000, Sarah has been one of the consultants for the firm’s external consultancy services to the Private Sector Foundation (PSF) whose mandate was to spearhead and map out a policy intervention and advocacy agenda that has guided the PSF’s participation in, and monitoring of the on going Commercial Justice Sector Reform Programme. 

As part of the assignment the firm produced a Guide to Parliament for PSF members to assist them in mapping out their advocacy and lobbying agenda through the legislature.  The firm also represented the PSF on three task forces that were formed to review the four clusters of the commercial laws under the Commercial Justice Reform Programme and is in the process of finalising summaries of the reforms of the laws on insolvency; business association; fair trade legislation and secured transactions.

Between July and August 2001, Sarah was part of a four person Consultancy team that has been working on preparing a Background Paper (Ugandan Chapter) that will inform the Rockefeller Foundation’s strategy of supporting Public-Private Partnerships as a basis for enhanced social and economic development in Africa. 

The study, which centred on health, education and food security, covered Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.  The team was lead by Dr. William Kalema.  Others were Dr. Johnson Nkuhe (M.P) and Lydia Ochieng-Obbo a partner in the Firm.  Sarah and Lydia were responsible for putting together the material on private/public partnerships in the health sector in Uganda

In January 2003 Sarah and a fellow director of Pride Micro Finance (Pride Uganda) carried out a Salary Survey Study and presented a report, which enumerated the competitiveness, inequity and fairness of the company’s remuneration package.

In April 2003, the Firm in association with the Firm of Nambale, Nsubuga & Co. Advocates and Legal Consultants, were retained as Consultants by Uganda Law Reform Commission to carry out a study on the Codification of the Law of Contract and to prepare a contract bill, 2003 with explanatory notes.  Sarah was one of the consultants on the team.

In July 2003, the Firm was retained as Consultants by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to carry out a Review Study for the Medium Term Competitiveness Strategy Thematic Area on Commercial Justice Reform Sector.

In November, 2004, Sarah led a team of two Pride Micro Finance Directors and carried out a much more detailed study that reformed the company’s salary structure and completely addressed the internal equity and competitiveness issues.

Participated in The Gender and Growth Assessment for Uganda- A Gender Perspective on Legal and Administrative Barriers to Investment- IFC-GEM, World Bank and The Foreign Investment Advisory Services, May 2005

Banking Officer / Legal -Central Bank of Uganda, 1984-1994.

Tasks included taking of minutes, drafting legal memorandum and legal documents.  Advising the Bank on legal issues, causing the Bank to be represented by outside counsel. Representing the Bank as in -house counsel in negotiation with outside parties including settling disputes out of court.

Experience Record

Training Experience

• The Firm is an Associate Consultant with Manpower Services (U) Ltd., a firm which specialises in Human Resource Development and Management Training. Sarah and her partner Lydia Ochieng-Obbo, have conducted training on, Labour Laws in Uganda – “The Employer and the Employment Decree and the Worker’s Act 2000, “ Legal Aspects of Corporate Fraud” and “Legal Aspects of Debt Collection” as part of the training programmes offered by Manpower Services (U) Limited.
• Certified trainer in Entrepreneurship Development (EDP). Trained more than 400 business people.

Community Based/Legal Activities

East Africa Law Society

2004 to date - Member of the Governing Council.

Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET)

2004 – 2005, Coordinator / Senior Program Officer of the Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET).  UGANET is a Non Governmental Organisation whose mission is to build the capacity of Uganda to provide an appropriate legal and ethical response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

UGANET was formed to out of the need to establish an all-round ethical and legal response to HIV/AIDS in Uganda, which would facilitate collective action towards the control and eventual eradication of HIV/AIDS.

Law and Advocacy for Women in Uganda

2000 to 2004 - Participated in advocating for improvement in the quality of women’s lives, through reforming of laws and practices that discriminate against them.  Promoted and advocated for the enactment of the laws that protect women’s well-being, in accordance with the Constitution of Uganda and International Human Rights.

Public Interest Litigation – Constitutional Petition against the Divorce Act

One of the Coalition Members in the Constitutional Petition against the discriminatory nature of the Divorce Act.  The winning of this case eradicated the biggest pillars of inequality in the Divorce Law.  The Constitutional Court ruled that the divorce law was discriminatory and therefore inconsistent with the Constitution, setting the first of such a precedent in the region.

Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association

Offered free Legal advise to members of Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association from 1996 –1999, as Chairperson and Legal Advisor to the Association. Under my leadership the Association achieved the following:

• A fully- fledged Secretariat.
• Launched four new branches.
• Membership multiplied from 50- 500.
• 70% increase in credibility and publicity and net working.
• 80% increase in training, exposure and information dissemination.

2002 to date – Board Member of Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association.

The Federation of Women Lawyers Uganda Chapter (FIDA (U).

Member since 1984, counselled women in general and the Bank staff on their rights under property ownership, succession and marriage law on a voluntary basis and where necessary introduced them to FIDA-U.

2001 – 2002, Offered voluntary services by presenting papers on Will Making on behalf of FIDA at Hospice Uganda, under the course in management of the terminally ill, cancer and aids patients in the hospital and community.

The Uganda Law Society

Member, since 1984.  Advocating for the respect and promotion of human rights.

Professional Responsibilities/Activities 1988 - 2007

Environmental Alert – 2006 to date

Member of the Board of Environmental Alert (EA), a Non Governmental Development Organisation born out of the need to address the alarmingly low levels of agricultural productivity in the country, high levels of food insecurity and low incomes in both rural and urban poor communities, in addition to protecting against rapid degradation of natural resources on which community livelihood depends.  Their Mission is to contribute to improved livelihoods of vulnerable communities by enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainable natural resources management.

The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) – 2004 to date

Member of the Board of the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), a Non Governmental Organisation which supports the conservation of biological diversity and poverty alleviation through sustainable natural resource management and livelihood improvement initiatives.  The Trust’s Mission is to conserve biological diversity and enhance social welfare by promoting innovative and sustainable environment management.

Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) – 2001 to date

Member of the Board of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) formerly known as the Reformed Central Tender Board (RCTB), a body responsible for procurement within Uganda Public Service. The Board is responsible for guiding and advising the RCTB management team through the Executive Director on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Uganda.

Pride Africa / Uganda – 2001 to July 2005

Board Member of Pride Africa / Uganda, a micro-finance institution with a major objective of increasing incomes of entrepreneurs who operate micro enterprises in the informal sector and increasing employment opportunities in the same sector.

Management Systems International - 1997

One of the four Ugandan Management Systems, International (MSI), a Company based in Washington DC, Trainer in Entrepreneurship Development. Trained more than 250 Entrepreneurs in one and a half years.

Private Sector Foundation-1988-1991

Ex officio Board member of the Private Sector Foundation (PSF), an apex body of all Private Sector Associations in Uganda. Chairperson of the Networking committee, whose terms of reference included advocacy, publicity, fundraising and lobbying for the PSF.

Uganda Shareholders Association, 1988-1999

Chairperson of the committee involved in setting up of Shareholders Association in Uganda with a mission of protecting shareholder's rights.

Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), 1997-1999

Member of UMA’s Small and Medium Enterprise committee (SME's), whose major concern is to voice SME's concerns to UMA.

Leilah's Company Limited 1995-1999

Managing Director and Proprietor
Majority shareholder.

Kabojja Schools, Ltd.

Director, Proprietor.
Supervised 800 students in senior secondary (High School), 500 in junior school.

Special Achievements and Awards

The Star Group Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Honoree Award, 2000

Recognised as one of the foremost female entrepreneurs in my country, who is actively involved in civic or charitable activities, and recognised as a role model for other women in business.

The American Biographical Institute, International Who is Who Honoree of Professional and Businesswomen Award 1999.

Women nominated are those who have demonstrated significant career achievements and contributions to society. The volume's team of researchers and editors look at individual merit; therefore selection is quite an honour.

Uganda Women Entrepreneur's Association Limited (UWEAL), Special Achievement Award. 1999.

Received a certificate of achievement, given in appreciation of extra ordinary service in the Association. Served for three years as Chairperson on a voluntary basis. Headed the Executive Committee, presided over all Association meetings, co-ordinated the activities of all other officers and ensured the smooth running of the Association and the proper implementation of its policies.

Received an award from Uganda Women Entrepreneur’s Association Limited in November 2003 for Excellent Voluntary Service

Received another award from Uganda Women Entrepreneur’s Association Limited in November 2004 as one of the leading women entrepreneurs in Uganda 

Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET)

Received a certificate of achievement for extra-ordinary services as Co-ordinator.  

International Conferences and Seminars attended

• The Arab International Business Women’s Conference, October 2002 – Dubai
• African Judicial Network Conference, June 2002 – Dar-es-Salaam.
• East Africa Regional Meeting, June 2001.  Panellist: The Effect of Globalisation on the Uganda Business Woman.
• Women Justice and Authority Conference, April 2000, Yale Law School, USA.
• Global Business Summit. Washington D.C, U.S.A 1999.
• Presidents Summit Common Market for East and Central Africa, Nairobi Kenya. 1999.
• Economic Commission for Africa's Leadership and Management Training /ACW/AKINA MAMA WA AFRICA, Workshop for African women managers and entrepreneurs. 1998
• CIPE, International Conference for Women Entrepreneurs, Washington DC. 1997
• World Small and Medium Enterprise Conference Miami, Florida, 1997.
• International Loan Negotiation and Renegotiation Seminar (International Law Institute) Washington DC. 1988.
• Smith, Bucklin and Associates’ Workshop on Business Association Management, Kampala Uganda.
• Management Systems International Customer Service Seminar, Kampala Uganda.

Papers Presented/Publications

• Contributor - Gender And Growth Assessment For Uganda, A Gender Assessment To Legal And Administrative Barriers In Uganda, (IFC/GEM/FAIS/IFC, World Bank)
• Contributor - Voices Of African Women (Women’s Rights in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania)
• Feminist Expo 2000. Baltimore, U.S.A.
  Participated on the “Breaking of barriers for Women in Business panel.
  Enlightened the audience about the plight of businesswomen in Uganda.
• Lebone Continental, Durban South Africa. 1999
  Presented a paper "The Relevance of Lebone Continental to the East African Business Women, The case of Uganda."
• 1998 IFWE/WASME Sixth International Women’s Conference, Accra Ghana.
  Presented a paper, "The Impact of Technology and Communication on Women Entrepreneurs in the Global Economy".
• The Asia Africa Forum on Economic Empowerment Women, Bangkok-Thailand. 1997
  Presented a paper, "The Contribution of Women Entrepreneurs to Economic Development".

Other Training

• Procurement of Consulting Services Seminar, International Law Institute, Georgetown University in Washington D.C, April 9-20, 2007
• Capital Market Development and Oversight Training Program in Sub-Sahara Africa, Sponsored by United States Securities and Exchange Commission; Financial Services Volunteer Corps, the U.S Agency for International Development and United States Department of the Treasury – Office of Technical Assistance.  Hosted by East Africa Securities Regulatory Authorities, Feb 26, 2007 – March 2, 2007 - Kampala
• BANCOSOLIDARIO SA – International Training in Micro Finance, Bolivia, July 2004
• Procurement Course for Senior Executives, Crown Agents, London. 2004
• Country Financial Accountability Assessment (CFAA) and Country Procurement Assessment Review (CPAR) Workshop, Kampala, Uganda. 2004
• Procurement Sector Review Workshop, Kampala, Uganda. 2004
• Joint OECD/DAC – World Bank Round Table Conference on Strengthening Procurement Capacities in Developing Countries, Kampala, Uganda. 2004
• Procurement Sector Review Workshop, Kampala, Uganda. 2003
• Corporate Governance for Profitability, Competitiveness and Sustainability, Kampala, Uganda. 2002
• Procurement Sector Review Workshop, Kampala, Uganda. 2002
• Micro Finance Institutions Governance Network Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya.  2002
• Financial Ration Analysis, Kampala, Uganda. 2002.