Gertrude Namitala is a GIS expert, ICT4D consultant and a recognised open data advocate. She holds a bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Amity University, India (2013). She holds various IT and GIS certifications.
She is the co-founder of OpenStreetMap Zambia and Open Data Lab Zambia organisations that are promoting the use and adaption of open data and open data tools among organisations in Zambia. She is also the chairperson for AWEaP (African Women in Energy and Power) in Uganda an organisation designed to accelerate African women entrepreneurs’ participation in the power and energy sector. She is the vice-president of the Africa Council for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship an organization aimed at empowering small businesses in Africa and linking them to opportunities. She is a board member of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, an international team dedicated to humanitarian action and community development through open mapping for disaster preparedness, mitigation and response and economic development. As a board member for HOT, Gertrude has brought in strategic ideas that are being implemented in communities across the world. She is one of the leaders of OSM Africa, a body responsible to promote the mapping of the African continent and bringing together all African countries to contribute to OpenStreetMap.