Esther Nalubwama Ssempebwa is a down to earth CEO at the UK affiliated Send a cow Uganda (SACU), a sister organization to Send a cow Africa. Funded by Heifer Netherlands, Oxfam, Novib and Self Help Africa, Send a cow Uganda is an organization more associated with the rural poor. But why would a highly learned young woman with all chances to work elsewhere opt for an organization that deals with the poor. In the following interview, she tells The CEO`s Patrick Kagenda why she opted to work with the organization.
Who is Esther Nalubwama Ssempebwa?
I was born in 1974 in a family of 4 girls and 6 boys. I am the 5th born. I hold a Masters Degree in Business Administration of Maastricht School of Management/ESAMI and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and Social Administration of Makerere University, Kampala. Before my current job with Send a Cow Uganda, I worked with World Vision Uganda for nine years.
The most important thing in my life happened when I gave my life to Christ on 24th July 1988. I have never been the same since. My interests and priorities changed. After University, the second most important thing happened in my life, I got married to Robert in April 2002. The Lord has blessed us with a daughter Deborah who is 7 years old.
What interested you into the NGO world most?
I entered the NGO world rather naturally. That was me from when
I was a child. I loved people; I loved helping out and fairness. I had a passion for the less advantaged and this helped me choose
an appropriate course at the University that would equip me accordingly. I was sure of what I wanted to do in life.
You are the first female CEO at Send a Cow Uganda. How has been your journey to the top and how does it feel being the first female CEO of an organization like Send a Cow?
My journey has been of great commitment, integrity, teamwork and professionalism. At World Vision, I worked as a Community development worker living with the people in the communities. I later became Programme Coordinator, Grants Manager and then moved to SACU where I was also a Grants Manager before becoming Executive Director. I feel good as the first female to lead SACU and because of this; I am determined to do my best every day. I want the world to know that women are very good leaders.
TotalEnergies EP Hit With $100,000 Penalty Over Delayed Tax Audit Disclosures in UgandaMany organizations in Uganda are beginning to have female CEOs and examples include URA, KCCA, DDA and UNCCI, even in banks to mention but a few and now NGOs. We have female ministers in powerful ministries. Do you think this is part of women empowerment or a new trend in management?
Now is the time for us women to make a contribution to our nations and the world as leaders. Women have always achieved great things behind the curtains. I believe there should be no difference between women and men when competing for jobs. Thus, all the ladies you mentioned earned their jobs competitively. So talking about trend, it can’t be a trend. It is that there are more competitive women today than yesterday. There are still very few female CEOs and that is why it still seems like an exception and not a norm, so we need to encourage more ladies to take on the challenge.
You are one of the few CEOs below the age of 40. Do you think age is a challenge to young CEOs in management in Uganda?
Age is not a challenge. What is important is to have what it takes to be in the job. There are so many good people to look up to for mentoring and advice and so, one needs to forget about age and focus on the job.
What do you think makes one a good CEO in Uganda and the World over?
A good CEO should be a person of integrity, a role model, good team player, a mentor and trusted friend of his/her team, professional, focused and continuously improving themselves.
What is your management style for a big organization like Send a Cow Uganda?
I believe people are unique individuals, I treat them as such. I know each of them has a contribution to make so I ensure they understand their role and that they are responsible for the results. I give people space to be themselves; people are so uniquely gifted and can achieve a lot when they are in charge of the results. They just need guidance and they will excel. I have an “open door policy
