Mr. Francis W. Kariuki, MBS

Commissioner – Kenya

Mr. Kariuki holds a Master's of Science Degree in Economic Regulation and Competition from City University, London; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business Studies from Kenyatta University; and various Certificates in Strategic Leadership and Corporate Governance.

Francis has vast experience in competition enforcement and is the first Director-General of the Competition Authority of Kenya and serving his second term. His main interests are in competition regulation and Economics of institutions' development. He is a distinguished authority in the Competition Enforcement World for his advocacy efforts and other initiatives geared towards modernizing various competition regimes.

Mr. Innocent Habarugira

Commissioner - Burundi

Mr. Habarugira holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Economics (Hons) Degree from Tumaini University, lringa – Tanzania. 

Innocent was the Regional Representative at Twitezimbere ASBL Responsible of Twitezimbere ASBL (Bubanza, Cibitoke, Kayanza and Ngozi) from 2006 - 2015. He has also a Project Coordinator at Association de lutte contre la Pauvreté from 2005 - 2006.

Innocent has over ten years’ national experience in conscientious networking and community mobilization that resulted in solving challenges through tenacious and questioning approaches. He has consistently performed to the highest professional standards and a cohesive team player. 

Dr. Didas M. Kayihura

Commissioner – Rwanda

Dr. Kayihura holds a PhD, Master’s in Law (International Business Law) from Utrecht University and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree from the National University of Rwanda. 

Didas is a Rector, Institute of Legal Practice and Development and a former Dean, Faculty of Law -  University of Rwanda. He has also served as member of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary of Rwanda (2007-2009), member of the Supreme Council of the Prosecutions Department of Rwanda (2007 - 2009), member of the National Steering Committee on Intellectual Property (2007-2009).

Didas is also a member of Rwandan Bar Association, East African Law Society and the Kigali International Arbitration    Centre (KIAC). He was a partner, Head of Business and Commercial Chamber and a practitioner at the Fountain Law Chambers from 2008 to March 2013 before it was dissolved to form Fountain Advocates. 

Mr. Sam Kuloba Watasa

Commissioner - Uganda

Mr. Watasa holds a Master’s in Business Association from Makerere University Business School (Marketing), a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing from Chartered Institute of Marketing U.K. He has attended training courses in utility reform and regulation, international trade policy, negotiations and budget analysis.

Sam was Vice Chairperson, Technical Committee Cluster 5 for reform of commercial laws with the Uganda Law Reform Commission which developed first draft versions of the Competition Bill, Consumer Protection Bill, Trade Licensing Amendment Bill and Investment Bill. He also actively participated in the development of COMESA Competition Law and Regulations.

Sam was also the Executive Director for Uganda Consumers Protection Association for over six years and participated in developing specific sector competition and consumer protection regulation. He was also Vice Chairperson and member of the Technical Petroleum Committee, advisory to the Ministry of Energy for regulation of petroleum supply activities in the downstream sector and developed the current petroleum supply regulations.

Dr. John K. Mduma

Commissioner - United Republic of Tanzania

Dr. Mduma holds a Ph.D. in Economics from University of Bonn, Master Degree and Bachelor degree in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam. He has served as Director General and a Commissioner of Fair Competition Commission, Senior Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam and serves as Board Chairperson, Capital Market Authority.

John participated in the preparation of Health Sector Strategic Plan (III), REPOA/DFDI with organizations such as the WHO/Ministry of Health, in Gas and Electricity Projects in Tanzania with World Bank and ARTUMAS Groups Inc among others.  

John is also a Senior Fellow of Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative (www.efdinitiative.org) and has authored numerous publications. He is also experienced in policy making, monitoring, and evaluation. Since, 2006, he was involved in preparations of MKUKUTA / MKUZA Annual Implementation Reports, National Policy Weeks, Research and Analysis Technical Working Group, Census and Survey Technical Working Group. In 2009-2010, he served as Government Technical Advisor for MKUKUTA Review and drafting of MKUKUTA II. In 2010, he was a member in a national team for the preparation of Tanzania's Five Year Development Plan and the Long-term Perspective Plan, which operationalize the National Development Vision 2025.