From persistence to prestige: How Jude Okeya became Uganda’s award-winning insurance sales champion

May 18, 2026 in by Editor

After nearly 16 years in Uganda’s insurance industry, ICEA LION’s Jude Okeya has emerged as one of the country’s top-performing insurance professionals, turning persistence, consistency and passion into award-winning success.

 

In Uganda’s competitive insurance industry, where trust is earned slowly and client loyalty is hard won, Jude Okeya has spent nearly two decades quietly building both.

The longtime sales professional at ICEA LION Group recently emerged as the Best Agent Retail Motor Comprehensive at the latest industry gala organised by the Insurance Training College of Uganda and the broader insurance fraternity, while also finishing runner-up in the Best Medical Retail category.

The recognition marks another milestone in a journey that began in 2010 under far less glamorous circumstances.

“When I joined the insurance industry, it was extremely difficult,” Okeya recalls. “Penetrating the market was a real battle. It took persistence, consistency, and a genuine love for what I do.”

At a time when insurance penetration in Uganda was still low and public confidence in the sector remained fragile, building a client base required patience and relentless relationship-building.

Unlike many professionals who pursue managerial titles as the ultimate career goal, Okeya made a conscious decision to remain in frontline sales.

“I have declined several promotions because sales is what I truly love,” he says. “It is where my bread and butter is. For me, impact and results matter more than position.”

That choice has helped him carve out a distinct niche in two of the industry’s most competitive segments — motor and medical insurance — while steadily building a nationwide network of clients and corporate relationships.

Having spent his entire insurance career at ICEA LION, Okeya credits the company’s internal culture and leadership for much of his growth.

“They have supported me tremendously,” he says. “I am happy with the management, the administration, and the entire team. I feel valued here.”

His latest award came after what he describes as an unexpectedly rigorous evaluation process. According to Okeya, assessors scrutinised company records, verified sales figures, and reviewed operational systems before identifying the top performers across the industry.

“From ICEA, I emerged as the top performer, and when compared with the rest of the industry, I became the overall winner,” he says.

For Okeya, success in insurance goes beyond selling policies. He believes consistency and obsession with the craft have been central to his rise.

“I wake up thinking about insurance and sleep thinking about insurance,” he says with a laugh. “This is not just a job for me. It is part of who I am.”

That dedication has translated into growing market recognition, with clients increasingly seeking him out directly for insurance solutions.

“Today, my name is known in many organisations across Uganda,” he says. “I receive calls from different parts of the country from clients looking specifically for me to present business solutions.”

Okeya has also witnessed a transformation in Uganda’s insurance landscape over the years. When he entered the sector, scepticism toward insurance products was widespread, with many potential clients uncertain about the value of coverage.

“People were hesitant and doubtful,” he says. “But over time, the market has matured.”

According to him, growing awareness and positive experiences from claim beneficiaries are gradually shifting perceptions and driving higher insurance uptake.

“The future is very bright,” Okeya says confidently. “Insurance penetration is growing, and in the next few years, the industry will be even stronger.”

The recent recognition has already begun opening new doors. Okeya says the award has significantly strengthened his professional credibility and visibility across social media and industry circles.

“This award has made my work easier because clients now have confidence before even meeting me,” he explains. “They already know they are dealing with someone credible.”

He also reserved special praise for ICEA LION’s leadership, particularly Chief Executive Officer Ambrose Kibuuka, whom he describes as accessible and supportive.

As Uganda’s insurance industry continues evolving, Okeya’s story underscores a broader lesson about the profession itself: success is rarely built overnight.

In an industry where reputation is currency, Jude Okeya has spent years steadily compounding both and the market is finally taking notice.