Businessman and gospel artist Benard Feni, popularly known as Mungu Feni, has been recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year, while his company, Euro Gold Refinery Ltd, was named the 2026 Platinum Winner for Best Natural Resources and Extractives.
The awards were presented over the weekend during the Business Excellence Awards organised by Consumer Publications Uganda Ltd.
Feni attributed the recognition to his company’s focus on transparency, job creation and business excellence, saying the awards represented more than a personal achievement.
He said the recognition was also an encouragement to young Ugandans pursuing entrepreneurship and businesses that contribute to employment and economic growth.
“We believe in validation, we believe in job creation, and we believe in transparency, and it is because of this that we are able to receive this award,” Feni said.
According to the organisers, the awards are based on consumer-driven research, with businesses assessed on factors including quality, service, value, integrity and innovation rather than popularity alone.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of awards received by Feni and his ventures. He was recently recognised as the Best Innovative and Extraordinary Entrepreneur 2026 by the Uganda National Innovative Graduates Wealth Creation Association (UNIGWA).
Focus on mineral value addition
The awards come as Euro Gold Refinery positions itself within Uganda’s growing mineral value-addition sector.
The company says it is investing in refining capacity, technology and human capital as part of efforts to promote local beneficiation and ensure that more value is retained within Uganda’s economy.
Euro Gold Refinery has also entered into partnerships with players in the mining sector, including artisan miners and mining associations, under arrangements aimed at supporting formalisation and value addition.
The company says it has agreements with Kakoka artisan miners and Mubende United Miners Association to support the supply and refining of gold, including refining gold to a purity of 99.9 percent.
It also says it holds mining licences in Abim and Yumbe.
The company recently announced that it had signed an agreement with the Bank of Uganda to refine gold, further expanding its activities in the sector.
Community work
Beyond his business activities, Feni has also pursued community initiatives through the Mungu Feni Foundation, which focuses on youth empowerment, education support, skills development and humanitarian assistance.
The foundation has supported vulnerable communities and undertaken initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and creating opportunities for young people.
Its work has also attracted recognition, including the Best Community Transformation Organisation in East Africa award at the East Africa Brand Quality Awards.
In 2025, the foundation received several accolades at the West Nile Quality Brand Awards, including the Quality Excellence Award – Platinum, Best Community Development NGO and Best Local NGO.
Feni said the recognitions reinforce his commitment to building businesses and community initiatives that create opportunities and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic development.
