By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1150 EAT on Monday 13 October 2025

Emmanuel Katongole (born 27 April 1962) is a Ugandan statistician, economist, entrepreneur, and industrialist. He serves as the Executive Chairman of Cipla Quality Chemical Industries Limited (CQCIL), the only company in Sub-Saharan Africa authorized to manufacture triple-combination antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

In addition to his role at CQCIL, Katongole has been the Chairman of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) since 2014, playing a key role in steering Uganda’s emerging petroleum industry.

He received his secondary education at Namilyango College, one of Uganda’s most prestigious schools. Katongole later attended Makerere University, where he earned a Bachelor of Statistics (B.Stat).

He went on to complete a Master of Arts in Economic Policy and Planning, also at Makerere University. In addition to his formal academic qualifications, he has undertaken numerous professional development courses in economics, statistics, and management from institutions across Uganda and Europe, further enhancing his expertise in both public policy and business leadership.

In 1997, Emmanuel Katongole, together with partners Randall Tierney, Francis X. Kitaka, Frederick Mutebi Kitaka, and George Baguma, co-founded Quality Chemicals Limited (QCL). The company initially focused on importing generic veterinary and human pharmaceuticals from India. Katongole served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, in addition to being a shareholder, a role he held from 1997 to 2007.

In 2004, QCL successfully persuaded Cipla, a leading Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer, to enter into a joint venture aimed at establishing a pharmaceutical production facility in Uganda. Construction began in 2005, and the factory was officially commissioned in 2007. The joint venture was named Quality Chemical Industries Limited (QCIL), with Katongole appointed as its Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until 2013.

In November 2013, Cipla acquired a controlling majority stake in QCIL, rebranding the company as Cipla Quality Chemical Industries Limited (CIPLAQCIL). Katongole was appointed Executive Chairman, a role he continues to hold while remaining a shareholder in the business.

In July 2014, his leadership and expertise earned him a national appointment when President Yoweri Museveni named him Chairman of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), placing him at the helm of one of the country’s most strategic sectors.

Emmanuel Katongole is a member of the Initiative for Global Development (IGD) – Frontier 100, a network that connects top-performing business leaders from frontier markets with their counterparts in Europe and the United States. The IGD Governing Council was co-chaired by former U.S. Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and General Colin L. Powell, underscoring the organization’s high-level international engagement.

A committed Rotarian, Katongole is a member of the Rotary Club of Muyenga and previously served as District Governor for Rotary District 9211, which encompasses both Uganda and Tanzania.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Yoweri Museveni appointed him as Chairperson of the National Response Fund to COVID-19 on 8 April 2020, tasking him with mobilizing national support and resources to combat the crisis.

Katongole also played a leading role in religious and community affairs. He served as Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the installation of the new Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Dr. Paul Ssemogerere, during the ceremony held on 25 January 2022.

A devout Roman Catholic, Katongole was honored in February 2021 as one of eight distinguished parishioners selected to receive a Papal Knighthood, one of the highest recognitions granted to lay Catholics by the Vatican.

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