Peter Okwi: Leading for Impact in Africa

Peter Okwi began his career as an engineer, working in technology at the Bank of Uganda. Today, he is Executive Director of TPO Uganda, one of the country's leading mental health and psychosocial support organisations, having held senior leadership roles across Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia and beyond. We caught up with Peter to hear about his journey, what the WBS MBA meant to his career, and why he believes mental health is fundamental to human development.

Can you tell us about your background and what made you choose to study your MBA with Warwick Business School?

"My career began in engineering and technology. After studying Electrical Engineering at Makerere University Kampala on a Government of Uganda scholarship, I joined the Bank of Uganda, where I worked on critical national financial infrastructure, information security and major upgrades to the SWIFT payment system."

"A defining turning point came when I lost my uncle to HIV/AIDS in a rural Ugandan hospital. At the time, I was leading technology projects in the financial sector, yet I felt unable to use my skills to make a meaningful difference to challenges affecting ordinary people's lives. That experience made me rethink what I wanted from my career — and whether professional success could also create social impact."

"I chose Warwick because it offered a meaningfully practical way to make that transition. I had compared Warwick with other MBA programmes on academic quality, faculty, flexibility, programme content and student networks, and was drawn to its rigorous, internationally diverse learning environment. But what really stood out was the opportunity to bring real organisational challenges into the learning itself, including through the management consultancy project and dissertation. That made the MBA feel less like stepping away from my work to study and more like learning to see my work differently."

How did your MBA at WBS help you build your leadership skills?

"The MBA helped me shift from managing projects to leading organisations. Courses in strategy, change management, innovation, entrepreneurship, human resource management, and operations broadened my understanding of how organisations create and sustain value."

"Following the MBA, I progressed into increasingly senior leadership roles, including Country Director for CHAI Rwanda, regional leadership across eight Southern African countries with the Malaria Elimination Eight Secretariat, Chief Operating Officer of a mental health organisation, and ultimately Executive Director of TPO Uganda."

"As I often reflect, 'The MBA didn't change who I was; it expanded the range of problems I could solve.' That is where learning becomes practical and where knowledge translates into impact."

You are now Executive Director of TPO Uganda. Can you tell us more about the organisation and your role?

"TPO Uganda has served and continues to serve vulnerable communities since 1994, working across mental health, child protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, HIV care, livelihoods, disaster resilience, and institutional strengthening. As Executive Director, I provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership for the organisation. I oversee a team of approximately 250 staff and volunteers and work closely with government ministries, donors, development partners, and our Board."

"Much of my recent leadership has focused on navigating significant organisational change. Following major reductions in international development funding, TPO Uganda lost approximately half its annual budget. This required difficult decisions, restructuring, and a renewed focus on organisational resilience. It reinforced a lesson I have learned repeatedly throughout my career: leadership is tested most during periods of disruption, not growth."

What achievements are you most proud of?

"At CHAI Rwanda, I was part of a team that helped facilitate a public-private initiative that mobilised more than US$45 million in investment through partnerships involving the Government of Rwanda and the private sector."

"At TPO Uganda, I am particularly proud of how the organisation responded during the 2025 funding crisis. Despite losing half of our annual budget, we continued serving communities, strengthened governance and systems, completed a major strategic review, and achieved 102% of our revised annual programme targets."

"Another important milestone was TPO Uganda being designated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as the national implementing partner for mental health and psychosocial support services, reflecting the strength of our reputation and technical expertise in this area."

Where do you see the sector heading?

"I believe the future of mental health lies in placing it at the heart of development. Mental health is not only a health issue. It is fundamental to human development."

"In Uganda, this is particularly evident among children and young people. Since 2025, TPO Uganda has screened more than 11,500 children for mental health-related distress, with over half showing signs of poor emotional wellbeing. Behind these numbers are young people whose ability to learn, thrive, and realise their potential may be affected by challenges that too often go unnoticed or unsupported."

How has being a WBS alum benefited your career?

"Being a Warwick Business School alum has benefited my career in two key ways: broadening my global leadership perspective and providing access to a valuable professional network."

“One of my biggest attractions to WBS was the importance of learning from a diverse community of students and faculty, drawing on international perspectives and experiences across different sectors. That experience helped shape a broader leadership outlook, and the international and cross-sector opportunities I have pursued since then reflect the lasting value of that global mindset.”

"Through both the LinkedIn WBS community and the Africa regional alumni network, I have connected with fellow MBA graduates from different cohorts, as well as professionals based across Africa. These connections have been particularly valuable in my current role and location, enabling me to build relationships with alumni from Uganda and across East Africa, exchange ideas, and expand my professional network beyond my immediate industry and geography."

“Overall, the WBS MBA was far more than an academic programme. It was a truly global and transformative experience that broadened my perspective, strengthened my resilience, and accompanied me through some of the most significant moments of my life.”

What advice would you give to current students?

"First, be guided by purpose. My move from banking technology into public health was driven by a desire to use my skills to improve people's lives. A clear sense of purpose can help you navigate change and make career decisions with confidence."

"Make the most of the diversity around you. One of the greatest strengths of the MBA experience is the opportunity to learn from people with different cultures, backgrounds, industries and perspectives. Collaborate beyond your comfort zone. Some of the most valuable lessons come from conversations with people whose experiences are very different from your own."

"For those already working, think of the MBA as an expanded toolbox. Use real challenges from your organisation to test concepts and frameworks, and look for problems to solve."

"Finally, be prepared to lead through uncertainty. The most important leadership lessons often emerge during periods of disruption rather than growth. Resilience, adaptability and transparency matter more than ever in those moments."