CEOs encouraged to front collaboration to foster sustainable leadership.

By Namutebi Sumayiya

Top Ugandan CEOs have been encouraged to collaborate and adopt a collective approach toward achieving sustainable stewardship of their respective entities. This call was made during the launch of  15th edition of the Annual CEO Forum, held in Kampala today.

The forum, held under the theme “Only One Earth,” brought together over 100 captains of industry for a roundtable discussion on how to combine efforts to develop a unified approach to combating climate change.

 Stephen Mukasa, the Team Leader of CEO Summit Uganda, urged CEOs to embody the spirit they use to lead their organizations and to agree on a unified approach that will amplify the impact of their efforts towards achieving sustainability.

Mukasa said “In Today’s rapidly evolving world, innovation, technology and new market trends can make or break your organization and therefore the need for continuous improvement and learning as business leaders. It is for this reason, ladies and gentlemen, that we are gathered here today to launch the Annual CEO Forum which shall take place on the 13th of September, 2024 at the Mestil Hotel and Residences under the theme “Only One Earth”.”

“Today, leaders can’t afford to turn a blind eye to global challenges like climate change and pollution and the well-being of the people and communities they serve, because they have to maintain healthy top and bottom lines. ESG is therefore an invaluable practice which not only looks at how organizations can co-exist with the world sustainably but also has a positive impact on people, the planet, business growth and organization reputation,” he added.

Stephen Mutana, the Stephen Mutana, Chief Strategy and Stakeholder Officer at MTN Momo Uganda in his remarks thanked the CEO Summit for spearheading the conversation on sustainable governance among top managers in the country.

Mutana said, “We are truly honored to be part of this year’s CEO Forum, especially at a time when the dramatic effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. Recently, we have experienced drastic changes in weather patterns in our country, and this is not something that will change overnight. This year’s CEO Forum, with its theme “Only One Earth,” provides us with a platform to come together and develop comprehensive measures that will lead to lasting solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. I am grateful to be among this team of top business leaders as we collaborate to find effective ways to combat these issues.”

“We at MTN that take climate change seriously. Through our Foundation, we pledged a few years ago, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. We have set science-based targets to achieve a 47% reduction in absolute emissions by 2030. This is a commitment we intend to fulfill. Because we believe in the goals of the CEO Forum, our full participation is not only an endorsement of their efforts but also a demonstration of our commitment to using sustainable practices to guide our strategies for addressing climate challenges,” Mutana concluded.

The CEO forum was established to inspire thought-provoking discussions by bringing together business leaders to debate and exchange on the issues affecting the region’s economic development. Since its inception, the summit has been a platform where great discussions and strategic solutions have been forged, thus, acting as a catalyst for change, driving the paradigm shift towards a purpose-driven attitude that extends beyond mere profitability. We have been able to embark on a worthwhile journey that will provide answers to issues that affect our economies, and communities as well as contributing to the global village.

The CEO Summit is where growth-oriented Corporates challenge, catalyze and champion transformation. This is a platform for unparalleled gathering of the most influential regional Captains of Industry, CEOs, Entrepreneurs/ Business Owners, Development Partners and Investors since 2008.