At the turn of the millennium, it was almost unthinkable to find women at the helm of major financial institutions in Uganda—or across Africa. Today, that narrative is shifting. One of the clearest examples of this transformation is Grace Muliisa, the dynamic Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Uganda.
Known within the industry as a formidable leader and a passionate advocate for women’s economic empowerment, Muliisa continues to challenge old norms and inspire a new generation of female professionals to rise and lead.
In this conversation with The Highflyer Report’s Edwin Muhumuza, Muliisa reflects on her journey to the top, lessons learned along the way, and how she envisions the next phase for Ecobank Uganda.
A Journey of Learning, Growth, and Purpose
Q: Kindly tell us about your professional journey and your role today at Ecobank.
Grace Muliisa:
My professional journey has been an interesting one. I started very early, straight out of university, when I joined Standard Chartered Bank as my first employer. At the time, finding a job wasn’t as difficult as it is today—employers would often come to universities to recruit fresh graduates, and I was fortunate to be among those selected.
Over my two decades at Standard Chartered, I held a variety of roles—from branch banking and customer service to product development, sales, and segment management. That hands-on experience at both the front and back end of operations helped shape me into a well-rounded banker.
In 2011, I became the first Ugandan woman to serve as Head of Consumer Banking—a position I held for six years before moving to the bank’s group headquarters in Singapore. After nearly 20 years, I transitioned to Stanbic Bank Uganda in 2019, where I continued to grow professionally and gain new perspectives.
In September 2021, I joined Ecobank Uganda, a Pan-African bank with one of the largest footprints on the continent—present in 33 countries and deeply rooted in African enterprise. Today, I am privileged to serve as the first Ugandan Managing Director of Ecobank Uganda, leading a team committed to driving sustainable growth and innovation.
On Lessons Learned and Keys to Success
Q: What has been the key to your professional success?
Grace Muliisa:
When I began my career, I didn’t have a defined leadership goal—I simply wanted to work. But over time, I realized the power of responsibility and hard work. I took every assignment seriously and ran with it passionately. That sense of commitment, coupled with resilience and curiosity, became my foundation for growth.
Working across different roles, countries, and cultures gave me both the depth and breadth of experience I needed. I’ve learned that hard work creates its own luck—and when you’re dependable, disciplined, and consistently deliver results, opportunities will always find you.
On Mentorship and Influences
Q: Who has helped shape your journey as a woman CEO?
Grace Muliisa:
I’ve had the privilege of being guided by remarkable mentors—two women and two men—who believed in me and challenged me to excel. One person who left a lasting impression was Winnie Ssegane, my first branch manager at Standard Chartered. She was tough but fair, and she had an incredible eye for hardworking people. Her mentorship helped many of us thrive because she trusted us with responsibility early on.
That experience taught me the value of mentorship and sponsorship—something I now try to pay forward to younger professionals.
Advice for the Next Generation
Q: What advice would you give to young people—especially young women—who want to climb the corporate ladder?
Grace Muliisa:
I would say three things:
First, work hard. It’s the price you pay for progress. Hard work not only gets you results—it teaches you discipline, respect for the work itself, and important life lessons.
Second, strive for excellence. Whatever task you take on, do it better than anyone has before. Don’t settle for average.
And third, be adaptable and resilient. The corporate world can be demanding and unpredictable. Your ability to adapt, recover, and learn from challenges will determine how far you go. Every setback can be a setup for growth if you approach it with the right mindset.
Shaping Ecobank’s Future
Q: How do you see Ecobank evolving under your leadership?
Grace Muliisa:
We have focused on strengthening our foundation—realigning our strategy and preparing to accelerate growth. We’re building a bank that truly stands by, for, and with our customers.
We’re learning from our clients as they evolve and using their feedback to continuously improve. Our goal is to transform Ecobank Uganda into one of the top 10 banks in the country within the next five years, grounded in innovation, customer trust, and Pan-African pride.
We’re also committed to being a bank of impact—one that supports local entrepreneurs, empowers women, and helps Ugandans access opportunities that can transform lives.
Final Thoughts
“Celebrating accomplished women in different industries helps girls see that they can be whatever they want to be. Having role models who represent them is vital for inspiration. It’s how we raise a generation of confident women who know their place in the world.”
— Grace Muliisa, Managing Director, Ecobank Uganda