Andrew Ssekamwa, who was appointed Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Movit Products Limited in September 2024, has exited the role after just seven months, deepening concerns around executive turnover at the personal care giant. His departure is the latest in a series of high-level exits that have raised questions about talent retention, leadership alignment, and the company’s internal culture.
According to inside sources familiar with the development, Ssekamwa’s exit was the result of “incompatibility with the role,” although the company has not issued an official statement on the matter. The source declined to elaborate on whether this was due to misalignment in strategy, performance expectations, or internal dynamics.
Movit Products Limited, Uganda’s leading beauty and personal care manufacturer, had rehired Ssekamwa in 2024 to help lead its commercial expansion in Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, and Western DRC—markets considered key to the group’s pan-African ambitions. This was Ssekamwa’s second stint at Movit, having previously served as Head of Finance between 2019 and 2020.
Prior to rejoining Movit, Ssekamwa had served as the Chief Financial Officer of Uganda Airlines, for just 18 months, helping stabilise financial systems and strengthening governance frameworks. He had also held CFO roles at I&M Bank Uganda and finance leadership positions at Standard Chartered Bank and SABMiller, as well as earlier experience with PwC.
In September 2024, he had expressed optimism about the commercial role, describing it as a crucial step in “completing his leadership profile” by gaining exposure outside finance. He stated then that the position offered “wider responsibilities” and a chance to “scale up Movit’s presence in emerging regional markets.”
However, his brief stint now adds to a pattern of executive transitions at Movit. In the past two years, several senior leaders recruited from global multinationals—including Godrej, Unilever, Nestlé, and L’Oréal—have exited the group, most within less than two years. These high-level movements have prompted a strategic pivot by Movit’s founder and Executive Chairman, Simpson Birungi, towards relying more heavily on homegrown Ugandan talent.
Indeed, Ssekamwa’s appointment, along with that of Isaac Kaweesa Sekasi and current Group CEO Stephen Mwesigwa, was seen as part of a deliberate recalibration of Movit’s talent strategy—one that prioritised regional familiarity and operational agility over foreign exposure.
Uganda to host WFP Global Fleet Hub, establish unique humanitarian platesWhen CEO East Africa Magazine contacted Ssekamwa for comment on the reasons behind his departure and his next career move, he declined to comment.
At the time of filing this report, Movit had not announced a replacement for the CCO role. It remains unclear how the company will fill the gap left by Ssekamwa or whether it will reassign his portfolio within the Group’s broader commercial leadership team.
As the group prepares to commission its new plant in Tanzania, ensuring leadership continuity and market confidence will be crucial. The facility is expected to enhance operational efficiency, reduce export-related costs, and accelerate Movit’s ambitions in the East and Southern African personal care markets—valued at over USD 1 billion collectively.
A Chartered Accountant (FCCA, CPA) and holder of a Bachelor’s in Statistics from Makerere University, he has been recognised with several leadership awards, including “Young CFO of the Year” and a “Strategy Execution Award.” His 15-year career spans financial services, aviation, and FMCG sectors, making him one of the most experienced finance and strategy executives under 40 in Uganda.
His next move remains unknown — but many in the industry will be watching closely.
