About Us
Our Team
Meet our incredible staff members working across the Mount Elgon region to deliver a life changing programme to enable individuals and communities remain resilient to impacts of climate change.
George Micheal Sikoyo
EXEcUTIVE DIRECTOR
George has worked in biodiversity governance, wildlife enterprise for local development, sustainable livelihoods, agro-forestry, climate resilience, transformation of market for forest products, community revolving funds and environment economics research for 26 years. He and his team at the Lake Victoria Basin Commission/East African community worked for over 9 years to promote the management of Mount Elgon as a trans-boundary ecosystem. He supported the transformation of markets for forest products in the Albertine rift of western Uganda to promote sustainable forest management. George was educated at the university of Edinburgh and Makerere University.
Micheal Sunday
PROGRAMME MANAGER
Micheal holds a Master's Degree in Tropical Forestry, a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He is an Ecological Reconstruction Specialist with over nine years of experience in natural resource management, project planning, and implementation. He leads efforts to restore degraded ecosystems in the Mount Elgon region while supporting community livelihoods
Leah Ajore
Project Manager
Leah Ajore holds BSc. Environmental Science Technology and Management and A postgraduate Diploma in project Planning and Management. She has over six years’ experience in climate change mitigation, environmental restoration and livelihood improvement. Leah's expertise lies in working with youth and women in restoration of degraded landscapes and improving household incomes and nutrition through Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) and backyard gardening.
Joyce Kimono
Safe Guarding, Gender equality and social inclusion Officer
Joyce Kimono holds a Bachelor's degree in Ethics and Development Studies and has completed certifications in social work, leadership, administration, climate-smart agriculture, and gender inclusion. Joyce provides strategic leadership in integrating Safe Guarding, Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) across supported districts, focusing on institutional change and community transformation. She also supports the integration of safeguarding and GESI into planning and operations
Micheal Woniala
Communication and Marketing Officer
Woniala holds a Bachelor's science Degree in Mass Communication. He has over 8 years of professional experience in the field of Communications and Journalism. His expertise is in media relations, content creation, and strategic communication. His passion is effective storytelling, audience engagement, and impactful messaging across various platforms
Abubakali Maale
Project Office,Eco System Restoration
Abubakali Maale holds BSc. Degree in Environmental Science, a certificate in extension methodology, safe guarding, gender and social inclusion. He has over 7 years experience in agroforestry, extension, climate change mitigation, restoration of micro catchment areas, and livelihoods improvement.
Kamende Godmercy
Assistant Project Officer
Kamende Godmercy holds a Uganda National diploma in beekeeping, National, certificate in sustainable agriculture He has other certificates in General Vegetable Production-Crop Advisor Trainer , safe use of pesticides, climate Smart Agriculture and Gender Inclusion, Healthy Nutrition, SME Agribusiness management, Agriculture extension principles and Robusta Coffee Agronomy and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture extension and community development. Kamende Godmercy has over 10 years’ experience in implementing donor funded projects/programs
Damba Tonny
Extension Officer
Damba Tonny holds a Diploma in crop production and certificates in a crop advisor trainer, agribusiness, vegetable production and farm management . He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. Damba has 4 years of professional experience agroforestry, tree nursery operations and management, community-based training and Agricultural extension. Damba is currently implementing the Tree planting for improved livelihood project (TPIL) in Bulambuli district. The project seeks to restore Mount Elgon national park and improve the livelihoods of the communities living adjacent to the park.
Hellen Alupo
Finance Officer
Hellen Alupo is a finance and management professional with over six years of experience in the field. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in Entrepreneurship and Project planning from Uganda Christian University. Currently, she is advancing her expertise by pursuing a Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) qualification
Peter Namukongo
Extension Officer
Namukongo Peter holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Works and Social Administration and a post-graduate Diploma in Project planning and management. He has 7 years of hands-on experience in agricultural Extension, sustainable land management, village savings and loans association, gender and health advocacy .He is a dedicated and experienced development professional.
Makabuli Mahe Yusuf
Extension Officer
Makabuli Yusuf holds a certificate in permaculture. He has over 20 years of experience in agroforestry, climate change mitigation, livelihoods improvement, and environmental restoration. His expertise spans indigenous tree seedlings, beekeeping, and sustainable land management. He has played a key role in the Mbale project, working with youth and women to restore degraded landscapes and enhance household incomes and nutrition through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) and backyard gardening initiatives.
Satya Milton
Office Support and Logistics Assistant
Milton leads and provide essential administrative services to ensure smooth office operations. He has over six years of experience in the role, He is responsible for organizing and maintaining standards to ensure the safe and efficient functioning of office activities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meet Our committed board of directors who diligently oversee the mission of METGE, ensuring we consistently deliver our best efforts.
Dr.Mary Manana
Board Chairperson
Robert (Bob) Arnold
Chair of committee on Technical Operations
Bob has been deeply involved in community development across Africa for over fifty years, having lived and worked in Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. Driven by a passion for empower-ing people, he focuses on equipping communities with skills that enable them to meet their daily needs. A principle he holds dear and strives to embody is: "Helping People to Help Themselves." Before retiring, Bob spent ten years as the director of Bungokho Rural Development Cen-tre in Mbale, an organization that later became a partner in what is now Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise (METGE). During his final years in Uganda, a workshop in Mbale host-ed by the Welsh Government led to funding for planting and distributing one million trees. This initiative sparked a partnership among four like-minded organizations, laying the foundation for what METGE has become today. As a board member of METGE, Bob remains actively involved, contributing to the organi-zation’s structure and operations. His enduring commitment ensures the mission of sus-tainable development and environmental restoration continues to thrive.
Angelina Achieng Olowo Barungi
Chair of standing committee on human resource
A seasoned Customs and Trade Expert with over 20 years of extensive experience in customs operations, trade facilitation, and trade policy formulation and implementation at national, regional, and international levels, including Uganda, the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Currently serving as the National Trade Facilitation Consultant for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), supporting Uganda's National Trade Facilitation Committee under the Secretariat of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives. Previously held the role of Customs Advisor for the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Uganda (DRUM) Project, implemented by Oxford Policy Management and funded by DFID. Also contributed as Project Coordinator for the Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) Elimination Project under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, funded by Trademark East Africa. Accumulated 18 years of diverse experience within the Uganda Revenue Authority’s Customs Department, including eight years as Supervisor of the International Affairs Desk. Possessing a deep understanding of customs operations, international trade policies, and trade facilitation frameworks, with a strong track record of driving initiatives that enhance trade efficiency and compliance.
Faith Njeri
DIRECTOR
Parimal B. Patel
Director
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Commerce, complemented by a Diploma in Sales and Marketing. Since relocating to Uganda, he has established himself as a successful entrepreneur, owning and managing businesses across diverse sectors. In addition to his business endeavors, he has played a significant role in the management of Indian community organizations and the stewardship of Indian community and private properties. Having resided in Mbale for over 40 years, he has witnessed firsthand the extensive degradation of natural vegetation and forests on government land throughout Uganda. This deforestation, with its severe impacts on weather patterns and the environment, has deepened his resolve to champion initiatives focused on environmental restoration and sustainable development.
akudo patrick
Director
Patrick Akudo holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Makerere University and has undertaken advanced training at the Egypt International Center for Agriculture, specializing in Rice Agronomy, Project Management, Sustainable Land Management, and Irrigation. He also holds a certification in Project Management from the Uganda Management Institute. With over 37 years of extensive experience in agriculture and agroforestry, Patrick has worked with renowned research institutions in Uganda and Egypt. He is a dedicated expert in Climate Change Adaptation, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Agroforestry, and Sustainable Development. Patrick is passionate about empowering farmers and growers to optimize their agricultural production through innovative and sustainable practices. Notably, Patrick served as the Focal Person for a FAO-funded Global Climate Change Adaptation Project in Kiboga District. Patrick has expertise in crop and plant health, providing comprehensive support in the prevention, identification, and control of diseases to ensure optimal crop productivity and longevity. His knowledge extends to post-harvest handling, helping communities improve food security and reduce losses. A proven leader and resourceful problem-solver, Patrick is committed to promoting resilience and sustainability within agricultural systems while addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
