Liliane Uwanziga Mupende
Tribute
Nigeria's Lisa Folawiyo's first fabric piece was created in 2005 alongside her mother. That experience has led her to stitch cultural heritage into fabric with the same intentionality she weaves confidence into her two children. While fashion critics praise her revolutionary approach to Ankara prints, and designs from her label, Jewel by Lisa grace runways and showrooms across the world, her children treasure the simpler things – the taste of meals that overflow with maternal devotion, the hug that heals the hurt they don't want to name and the independence to leave home for another country, knowing that mothers love is ever-present.
Profile
Liliane Uwanziga Mupende is a distinguished Rwandan urban planner and development expert with extensive experience in urban planning, construction regulation, and sustainable development. She currently serves as the GCF NAP Project Coordinator at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), where she leads initiatives aimed at enhancing climate resilience and sustainable urbanization in Rwanda. Prior to joining GGGI, Ms. Mupende was the Project Manager for NOBELIA, overseeing the development of a high-performance, low-energy green building in Kigali’s Central Business District. From 2015 to 2017, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate Developers Ltd., where she led the execution of Vision City Phase 1, Rwanda’s largest residential neighborhood. Before transitioning to the private sector, she dedicated over seven years to public service as the Director of Urban Planning and Construction One Stop Centre at the City of Kigali, contributing to the city’s sustainable growth through the implementation of the Master Plan and building control regulations. Ms. Mupende holds a Master’s of Science in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Urban Planning and Management from the University of Twente, The Netherlands, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Makerere University, Uganda. She has also served on the boards of the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority, Rwanda Transport Development Authority, and Rwanda Institute of Architects, reflecting her commitment to advancing Rwanda’s infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. On a personal note, she is a proud mum.