Pallisa, Uganda — a remarkable event was held at the scenic Pal and Lisa Hotel in Pallisa to celebrate the retirement and birthday of Dr. Fixon Akonya Okonye, masterfully organized by his son, Dr. Nixon Kitimoi, along with a committee of family and friends. The event was attended by over 500 distinguished guests including government officials, politicians, clergy, business titans, family members, and close friends.
The Pal and Lisa Hotel is a 3-star establishment seated on over 30 acres, currently featuring 21 well-appointed rooms, 35 retail outlets and 3 conference halls, with plans to expand to 100 rooms and cottages. Industry experts estimate the total investment exceeds $7 million, which will make it the largest hotel in Pallisa upon completion. The venue’s serene environment perfectly complements the significance of the occasion and the legacy being honoured.
Dr. Fixon Okonye’s retirement marks the conclusion of a distinguished career in internal auditing and public financial governance at the government level, highlighted by his role as the first Internal Auditor General, from 2019 to 2025. Recently, Dr. Fixon Okonye was appointed as the Ministerial Appointee of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda. He will continue to serve as a Trustee with the Institute of Internal Auditors, Vice President of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Uganda Chapter, Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee of the East African Community and membership of the Board of Finance, and the Board of Planning and Development at the Province of the Church of Uganda. His retirement also ushers in an exciting new chapter—a dynamic father-son partnership in business.
Dr. Nixon Kitimoi, a seasoned expert in investment management and private sector finance with a focus on impact and sustainable investments, aims to build on his father’s legacy to expand their family’s diversified business empire. His recent nomination for the 2025 ACCA CFO Awards under the Finance Transformation & Technology category is a testament to his leadership in financial innovations and transformative strategies.
“Dr. Nixon Kitimoi, in his speech, reflecting on his father’s retirement celebrated a remarkable career dedicated to financial integrity and public service as Uganda’s first Internal Auditor General, from 2019 to 2025. He praised his father’s unwavering commitment, meticulous attention to detail, and principled approach, qualities that set a high standard in government accountability. Dr. Nixon Kitimoi expressed excitement for their new collaboration in the private sector, confident that their shared values would drive future success.
Talking about his recent trip to Italy, he shared insights on the economic benefits of decarbonisation, illustrating the timeless truth of Heraclitus that “the only constant in life is change.” Dr. Nixon Kitimoi emphasized how decarbonisation challenges us to transform economic systems toward sustainability, drawing a parallel to Dr. Fixon Okonye’s career. He highlighted that embracing change with wisdom and resilience, as exemplified by his father, leads to growth and lasting impact.
Concluding, Dr. Kitimoi invoked Winston Churchill’s inspirational words from October 29, 1941, at Harrow School:
“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
He toasted to family, new beginnings, and an exciting journey ahead.”
Experts in Pallisa District highlight the family’s ownership of vast tracts of land spanning several square miles, abundant with forests and livestock including buffaloes, underscoring their deep roots in agriculture and land banking. Their expansive business portfolio spans education, professional services, agriculture, real estate, and land banking. One of their flagship projects is an 11-acre residential estate in Kulambiro, Kampala, rumoured to be valued at approximately $30 million. Dr. Nixon Kitimoi is said to have persuaded his father to shift focus to residential real estate and played a key role in negotiating the financing. Both father and son are shareholders in Vule Airways, reflecting their interests in aviation.
Adding to this momentum, Dr. Nixon Kitimoi’s $5 billion capital raise for the 1Stock Private Credit Fund, currently being facilitated by Castle Placement, a New York-based investment bank, signals a new era of growth and influence for their vast business ventures. Rumours also indicate that he is pursuing a mixed-use property in Kampala’s Central Business District, in a deal valued at nearly $20 million, which includes both acquisition and refurbishment.
The complementary professional expertise of Drs. Okonye and Kitimoi promises a synergistic partnership—where Dr. Okonye’s deep government experience in financial governance meets Dr. Kitimoi’s innovative approach to investment and sustainable finance, setting the stage for strategic expansion in Uganda and beyond.
This celebratory event was not only a tribute to Dr. Okonye’s past achievements but also a visionary launchpad for the next chapter in their shared entrepreneurial journey.
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