James is a seasoned academic and governance leader with a distinguished career in higher education, public administration and institutional leadership. He began his professional journey at the Uganda Management Institute UMI (formerly the Institute of Public Administration) as an Assistant Lecturer and rose to the position of Director, where he championed institutional growth and strengthened UMI’s global footprint through membership in the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration.

Beyond academia, James has held leadership roles in professional bodies, including the Uganda Association of Public Administration and Management and the Institute of Corporate Governance and He also contributed to national development through service on audit committees for the Joint Medical Stores, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Education Service Commission. He has also provided strategic oversight as Chairman of the Kyambogo University Council and is a member of the Victoria University Council.

James has over the years received recognition for exceptional service and contributions to the institutions he has served and remains committed to advancing excellence, accountability and social impact.