RENA NANYANZI MUKASA
Kampala,102
Summary
Rena is an accomplished Finance and Operations Consultant with over two decades of cross-sector experience spanning donor organizations, banking, audit, and consultancy—more than 15 years of which were spent in progressive leadership roles at USAID Uganda. Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance. She is a recognized expert in designing and strengthening financial systems, internal controls, and risk mitigation frameworks for complex donor-funded and government-led programs. Her deep knowledge of financial policies, G2G stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity building, and host government systems positions her as a go-to advisor for institutions seeking compliance, accountability, and operational excellence. Rena brings on board an ability to translate complex financial and regulatory frameworks into practical, scalable solutions tailored for local governments, NGOs, and development partners. She has successfully led multi-million-dollar program oversight, driven cost-saving reforms, and developed mission-critical tools for audit readiness, pipeline monitoring, and partner risk assessment. She is willing to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Rena brings a rare blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and a collaborative approach that empowers stakeholders, enhances donor confidence, and drives sustainable impact.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Financial Management & Operations
USAID Uganda
11.2009 - 08.2025
- Progressed through increasingly senior roles from Financial Analyst in 2009 to Chief Accountant in 2012, and Deputy Finance Director in 2021. Led multi-functional financial operations, institutional strengthening, and risk management initiatives across a $1.5 billion portfolio.
- Strategic Financial Leadership: Directed all financial operations, budget planning, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance frameworks for one of USAID’s largest missions. Managed a team of 20+ and ensured regulatory alignment with U.S. federal financial standards in a fast-paced environment and complex portfolio with impact.
- Budget Oversight & Resource Strategy: Managed a $38M annual operational budget and supported $1.5B technical portfolio. Led scenario planning, realignments, and high-level negotiations to align budgets with programmatic priorities.
- Risk and Compliance Expertise: Spearheaded the Mission’s risk management and internal controls program. Led internal control reviews (FMFIA and OMB-123), on-site and off-site external (GMRA) audits, and G2G risk assessments, ensuring audit readiness and sustained clean audit outcomes.
- Transformational Systems Improvement: Assessed and implemented system improvements. Designed and institutionalized reporting dashboards, and finance and non-finance operational procedures that significantly enhanced decision-making, data accuracy, and financial accountability. Value-adding insights to partner system reviews and assessments cognizant of peculiar business and donor problems, needs and customized cost-effective solutions.
- Government-to-Government (G2G) and Stakeholder Engagement: Oversaw capacity assessments, risk fiscal reviews, and performance monitoring for host government entities. Successfully restructured risk mitigation plans and accountability frameworks. Negotiated terms for multilateral donor agreements, coordinated and streamlined end-to-end process with multiple parties, and established compliance frameworks.
- Advisory and Stakeholder Management: Served as lead advisor to USAID leadership and interagency teams on financial strategy, controls, and host government engagement. Regularly led donor coordination, strategic planning and agreement negotiation sessions.
- Capacity Building: Driven by openness to learning, innovation and sharing, I pioneered tools and frameworks that doubled local partner funding in under one year. Led structured onboarding, competency mapping, and cross-office mentorship to elevate staff performance. Designed and led several internal and external capacity building initiatives.
- Project Start-up and Close-out: Led and oversaw the start-up and close-out of G2G activities and supported other Mission partners through start-up and close-out phases. Specifically, designed the Mission’s close-out process, built staff capacity to manage the process seamlessly, resulting in a high Mission performance ranking.
Audit Manager
Kisaka & Company, CPA
03.2008 - 10.2009
- Oversaw audits for clients across sectors, strengthened audit quality controls, and led initiatives to align firm practices with international auditing standards.
- Redesigned audit planning templates and standardized working paper documentation in line with ISA, improving audit efficiency and consistency.
- Conducted risk-based audits for clients in the banking, NGO, and public sectors, delivering actionable recommendations to enhance internal controls.
- Facilitated in-house training programs to build staff expertise in audit planning, sampling, applying international accounting standards, and risk assessments.
Head of Finance
DFCU Group
04.1999 - 04.2007
- Led the financial transformation of one of Uganda’s premier financial institutions. Oversaw consolidation of finance functions across subsidiaries, instituted robust financial policies, and drove strategic financial planning.
- Spearheaded the integration of finance operations under a unified reporting framework, improving oversight and reducing reporting turnaround times.
- Developed and rolled out a group-wide financial policies and controls manual, standardizing practices and enhancing compliance.
- Designed and implemented performance dashboards for executive management, enabling data-driven decisions and improved performance tracking.
- Collaborated with external auditors, regulators, and board-level stakeholders to maintain financial integrity and build institutional credibility.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Edinburgh Business School, Herriot Watt University
Scotland01-2009
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting
Makerere University Kampala
Uganda01.1995
Skills
- Strategic Financial Planning
- Risk and Compliance Management
- Donor and Government Engagement
- Financial Systems Development
- Team Leadership and Capacity Building
- Communication Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem-solving
Certification
- Certified Leadership & Performance Coach (ICF Level 1) – ACT/Brown University, 2025
- Certified Public Accountant, Uganda (CPA - U), 2003
- Certified Public Accountant, Kenya (CPA - K), 2001
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Financial Management & Operations
USAID Uganda
11.2009 - 08.2025
Audit Manager
Kisaka & Company, CPA
03.2008 - 10.2009
Head of Finance
DFCU Group
04.1999 - 04.2007
Master of Business Administration -
Edinburgh Business School, Herriot Watt University
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting
Makerere University Kampala
CONSULTING EXPERTISE
- Financial Systems Strengthening
- Internal Controls & Compliance
- Risk Management
- Audit Readiness
- Donor Fund Management (USAID, Bilaterals, Multilaterals)
- Government-to-Government (G2G) Programming
- Budgeting, Reporting & Financial Strategy
- Capacity Building & Institutional Reform
- Localization & Direct Partner Engagement
AREAS OF CONSULTING INTEREST
- Advisory services to donor-funded programs and NGOs
- Financial management capacity building
- G2G implementation design and oversight
- Development of financial policies, tools, and systems
- Institutional reforms and accountability frameworks
- Risk mitigation strategies and fiduciary reviews
- Strategic planning and resource alignment
- Support to localization and direct funding initiatives
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