Founder & Director, La Cedri Bureau de Change

Mr. Lamech Cedri Kiiza is a distinguished financial sector pioneer, visionary entrepreneur, and respected industry leader with over three decades of experience in Uganda’s foreign exchange and money remittance industry. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of La Cedri Bureau de Change, one of Uganda’s most established and trusted foreign exchange institutions, he has played a transformative role in shaping the country’s financial services landscape since founding the company in 1996.

At a time when the foreign exchange sector was largely dominated by foreign-owned enterprises and few indigenous Ugandans were willing to venture into the industry, Mr. Kiiza demonstrated remarkable courage and foresight by establishing La Cedri Bureau de Change. Built on principles of integrity, professionalism, innovation, and customer trust, the institution has grown into a respected financial services brand serving thousands of clients across Uganda.

Recognized as one of the architects of Uganda’s modern Forex Bureau sector, Mr. Kiiza was instrumental in advocating for greater participation of indigenous Ugandans in the foreign exchange business. His leadership and lobbying efforts contributed significantly to the formation of the Uganda Forex and Money Remittance Association (UFMRA), the industry’s umbrella body. As one of its founding leaders and early Chairperson, he helped establish a unified voice for the sector and strengthened engagement between operators, regulators, and policymakers. Today, the Association serves as the official representative of the industry before the Bank of Uganda and other regulatory stakeholders.

A highly regarded financial analyst, strategic thinker, and policy advocate, Mr. Kiiza has consistently championed professionalism, compliance, and sound governance within the financial sector. His contributions have supported the growth of an industry that now comprises hundreds of licensed foreign exchange bureaus and money remittance operators, creating employment opportunities and contributing significantly to Uganda’s economic development.

Beyond business leadership, Mr. Kiiza is deeply committed to mentorship, succession planning, and talent development. Throughout his career, he has nurtured numerous professionals, managers, and entrepreneurs who have gone on to establish and successfully manage financial institutions of their own. His dedication to empowering the next generation has made him a respected mentor and role model within Uganda’s financial services community.

A firm believer in innovation and digital transformation, Mr. Kiiza has been a strong advocate for technology integration within the financial services sector. He has actively supported local technology innovators and startups by connecting them with industry stakeholders and regulatory institutions, including the Bank of Uganda. His efforts have helped foster home-grown financial technology solutions that continue to improve efficiency, compliance, and financial inclusion across the country.

Mr. Kiiza has also cultivated strategic partnerships with regional and international organizations to promote global best practices in financial management, anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CFT), and regulatory compliance. Through his leadership, La Cedri Bureau de Change has embraced international standards and modern financial technologies, positioning the institution as a forward-looking player within Uganda’s evolving financial ecosystem.

Today, as La Cedri Bureau de Change celebrates nearly 30 years of excellence, Mr. Lamech Cedri Kiiza remains committed to advancing financial inclusion, strengthening Uganda’s financial sector, and building sustainable institutions that create lasting value for future generations. His legacy is defined by pioneering leadership, industry transformation, mentorship, and an unwavering dedication to national development.

“True leadership is not measured by what we build for ourselves, but by the opportunities we create for others and the institutions we leave behind.”
— Lamech Cedri Kiiza