For almost two decades now, Musa Mageere, his social media profiles indicate, has worked at Luuka Plastics, steadily rising ranks from a production trainee to executive director.
His rise has been a meticulous and well-planned orchestration of a business succession plan from father to son.
With more than 15 years of experience in operations and production, Mageere’s growth is rooted deeply in the manufacturing and packaging sector.
He has walked this journey alongside his father, Badru Muwanga, the company’s long-serving chief executive officer and board chairperson.
Visibly carrying a significant share of the responsibility in the growth and expansion of the company, Mageere has overseen its transformation into a recognised national and regional brand.
Today, Luuka Plastics has operations in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and South Sudan.
This deliberate approach to mentorship and generational leadership aligns with what Charles Ocici of Enterprise Uganda advocates for in growing resilient family-owned businesses.
“Household mentoring plays a crucial role in ensuring Uganda can grow more family businesses that can outlive their founders,” he says.
Mageere has shown both love and interest in running the company through its growth, which aligns with the comments of the Buganda Premier, Charles Peter Mayiga.
“Nurture your children into responsible managers if they exhibit leadership qualities. Hire them and let their abilities enable them to rise through the ranks,” he wrote in post on X, formerly Twitter.
The comment was in line with nurturing future leaders, where having a personalised and strategic approach to empower youth is easier.
It also points to empowering the youth to learn the skills but also develop the passion to take up the reins when the time comes.
Driving sustainability forward
In recent years, Mageere has also taken the lead in championing sustainable practices within the company.
Luuka Plastics is currently part of the Clean Products for the Environment (CPE) project.
Bob Okodi, Amref Health Africa Uganda CFO, On Purpose-Driven Finance and Measuring Impact in Lives, Not MarginsThis is a collaborative initiative involving packaging users such as Jakana Foods and Rena Beverages, technology providers like Green Africa, and regulators including the National Environment Management Authority and Uganda National Bureau of Standards.
The $158,000 worth project, which promotes environmentally conscious production and recycling, is expected to run until August 31, 2025.
About Luuka Plastics
Luuka Plastics traces its roots back to 1986 when it began as a general trading company. In 1993, the business shifted focus to dealing in various finished flexible packaging bags made from polythene and polypropylene
The real turning point came in 2004 when Luuka Plastics was formally established as a manufacturing facility.
Starting modestly with one small extruder, a printing machine, and a cutting machine, the company has since grown its capacity and reputation.
Today, it produces films and fabrics from base raw materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene raffia.
To meet the demands of a diverse and expanding clientele, the company offers a wide range of packaging solutions.
These include high-quality laminates with registered cold seal, hot-filled laminates, all types of pouches, shrink sleeves, foils, hermetic bags, coffee pouches, and industrial buckets.
With a footprint in different markets, Luuka Plastics maintains rigorous quality control, holding the ISO 9001:2015 certification.
A future in focus?
According to sources within the company, Muwanga is actively mentoring his son to eventually take over the running of the family business.
While there is no public official communication regarding the timeline or confirmation of the succession, Mageere’s long-standing service, strategic oversight, and alignment with the company’s growth trajectory signal a carefully planned transition.
Mageere holds a Bachelor’s in Information Technology from Kyambogo University and is an ACCA affiliate through MAT ABACUS Business School, details from Luuka Plastics’ website indicate.
As Uganda’s business environment increasingly turns its focus on legacy, innovation, and sustainability, Luuka Plastics may soon join the list of family-owned enterprises navigating generational leadership transitions, with Mageere possibly taking centre stage.
