- 19 February 2026
Reading time: 5-6 minutes
Summary
Barbara Daisy Nabuweke is the Company Secretary at the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Limited . In this comment article she shares her career pivot from law into governance and why now is the perfect time to pursue a career in the industry.
Across Uganda and East Africa, a noticeable change is happening. Governance is rapidly emerging as both a leading organisational ambition and a strategic elevator.
The KPMG Uganda ESG (environmental, social, governance) Outlook shows that 52% of companies want to use ESG not just as a compliance requirement, but as a competitive differentiator; signalling a clear shift in how organisations view governance.
Future‑focused companies aren’t waiting for national systems to catch up. They are taking voluntary, proactive steps to strengthen governance capacity and build resilience. As ESG adoption spreads, so too does the opportunity for individuals who operate with clarity, accountability and integrity.
Throughout my career in legal and governance work, I’ve seen just how quickly East Africa is evolving. Organisations across Uganda and the wider region are rethinking responsibility, risk and decision‑making as the financial and strategic benefits of strong governance become increasingly clear.
As we approach the CGIUKI 15th Annual Directors and Company Secretaries Conference on 4 March (in partnership with KPMG), I’ve been reflecting on how many professionals in law, finance, accounting, audit and organisational leadership are already doing work that aligns closely with governance, often without realising it.
Experience built in these fields is highly valuable, and many don’t realise that it can be a natural pivot into a rewarding governance career. I know this because I practised as a lawyer for many years. It wasn’t until I became deeply involved in board processes that I truly began to understand how central governance is to organisational success.
My career pivot began unintentionally, taking on governance responsibilities as the assistant company secretary alongside my legal role at Standard Chartered Bank. At law school, I had encountered governance principles, but mostly from a theoretical perspective. I assumed the role would mostly entail administrative support, but it was so much more. Governance is its own discipline, and after a while, I started to realise the limitations of relying solely on my legal background.
Becoming a qualified governance professional, with the support of EACOP, has elevated my voice, my influence and my confidence. With years of legal practice and company secretarial experience, the journey was even more accessible.
It’s my colleagues that I thank for encouraging me to pursue governance as a profession. When it came to navigating board processes, regulatory expectations and corporate governance standards, I was aware I needed to upskill – but they understood that my existing legal and boardroom experience made me eligible for the CGIUKI Fast‑Track Qualifying Programme and persuaded me to pursue it.
Completing the qualification ultimately elevated me into a strategic organisational role and set me on my long‑term career path. I am now a company secretary for an organisation incorporated in the UK, with subsidiaries in Uganda and Tanzania, and hold the position of director for a Ugandan NGO. Governance has opened doors for me.
The impact on my career has been significant. The programme transformed my governance perspective. The practical training, real boardroom scenarios and tools for governance, risk management and ESG reporting strengthened my ability to serve as a trusted advisor. I now feel equipped to help my employer navigate the future, both ethically and strategically. By investing in my professional growth, I’ve increased value to my organisation, too.
The growing demand for governance presents both a challenge for organisations and a major opportunity for ambitious professionals. Chartered Governance Professionals stand out precisely because governance skills are in short supply yet highly valued. Regardless of your industry background, positioning yourself as someone who can advise a board, shape organisational strategy, oversee risk, compliance and ethics, and support high‑stakes decision‑making is a powerful career advantage.
There has never been a better time to pursue a career in governance. You can be at the forefront of change, shaping responsible organisations, strengthening leadership and influencing decision‑making in Uganda and across East Africa.
If you are based in Uganda or East Africa and curious about where a career in governance could take you – or if you’re already doing governance‑adjacent work without the formal recognition – this is an excellent moment to take the next step.
Interested to understand more about a career in governance? Visit the East Africa Region webpage to find out about our upcoming prospective student event in Uganda.
Learn more about Barbara's Fast Track qualification route