Damali Ssali Appointed Country Director of GAIN Uganda, Set to Lead Major Nutrition Overhaul

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has announced the appointment of Damali Ssali as Country Director for Uganda, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to transform its food and nutrition systems.

A seasoned development leader with over 18 years of experience and a track record of managing more than USD 250 million in investments, Ssali brings a wealth of expertise in trade facilitation, infrastructure development, and private sector engagement to her new role.

Before joining GAIN, Ssali served as Country Director at TradeMark Africa, where she led strategic projects including the Gulu Logistics Hub and seven one-stop border posts that enhanced regional trade.

Her leadership also contributed to Uganda’s ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

Ssali later joined the Private Sector Foundation Uganda as Chief of Programmes and Projects, where she designed a USD 1 billion Private Sector Catalytic Fund and led job creation initiatives that generated over 174,000 direct and 523,000 indirect jobs.

With academic credentials from Harvard, Oxford, and Grenoble, and as a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Ssali is recognised for blending strategic insight with a commitment to inclusive growth.

As she takes the helm at GAIN Uganda, Ssali is expected to lead systemic reforms aimed at improving nutrition and food security across the country. Her mandate includes scaling sustainable solutions that prioritise vulnerable populations and leverage private sector partnerships for impact.

“Damali’s appointment comes at a critical time for Uganda,” said a GAIN spokesperson. “Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing our mission to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to nutritious and safe food.”