Ugandan CEOs urged to lead sustainably for a better future

Leaders of Ugandan corporate entities have been called to take bold action in steering their organisations towards sustainable success.

This was the central message at the 15th Annual CEO Forum, held at Mestil Hotel and Residences in Kampala, which brought together top executives and managers from various sectors.

Under the theme “Only One Earth – Our Purpose and Mandate,” the forum urged corporate and government leaders to adopt decisive strategies that align with sustainability goals.

The discussions emphasised the urgent need for a collective approach to navigating environmental challenges and driving long-term growth.

Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, led the call to action.

He urged CEOs and industry leaders to adopt a forward-looking perspective, especially in addressing sustainability issues.

“Nationally, Uganda’s climate finance needs are estimated at USD 28.1 billion for the period 2023/24 to 2029/30,” Ggoobi stated, affirming the government’s commitment to sustainability through both global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Uganda’s National Development Plans.

He further explained the Ministry’s proactive steps, which include the establishment of a Climate Finance Unit to coordinate the mobilisation, access, and tracking of climate and green finance.

Ggoobi also highlighted the newly developed National Climate Finance Strategy (2023/24 – 2029/30), aimed at enhancing the mobilisation of resources for Uganda’s sustainable development.

“We have a National Climate Change Act that mandates climate-responsive budgeting and ensures all public investments meet sustainability requirements,” Ggoobi added, underscoring the importance of urgent action for positive outcomes.

Stephen Mukasa, Country Team Leader at CEO Summit Uganda, called on business leaders to take concrete steps towards mitigating climate change.

“This forum gives us a chance to reflect on the state of our planet and take responsibility for it. We’ve brought together some of the sharpest minds from different industries to collaborate on building a solid plan to fight climate change,” Mukasa emphasised.

He noted that last year’s commitment to climate-conscious practices was just the beginning, and this year’s goal was to create a shared approach to sustainability across industries.

Dorcas Batwala Muhwezi, General Manager of Customer Experience at MTN Uganda, encouraged private sector leaders to embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, noting the business opportunities within sustainability.

“At MTN, we’ve committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. We’ve upgraded over 92% of our cell sites to run on solar power and lithium-ion battery storage, reducing our carbon footprint,” Muhwezi shared, calling for collective action to address challenges like climate change, gender inequality, and limited access to education and healthcare.

The CEO Forum was established to foster thought-provoking discussions and encourage business leaders to exchange ideas on pressing issues affecting Uganda’s economic development.

This year’s gathering highlighted the importance of sustainability as a core element of long-term corporate success.