In May 1995, Celtel hit the ground running with the launch of the first mobile phone in Uganda, a rare opportunity in the country’s history that has gone on to transform generations and inspire innovations.
What began as a definition of class and luxury quickly transformed into a necessity that sparked a quiet revolution, altering Uganda in numerous ways.
And 30 years later, no one could have guessed the diversification of opportunities and services that have come with the mobile phone.
Today, the landscape of the telecommunications sector has become dynamic and increasingly shaped by the visionary leadership and technical prowess of remarkable women.
These, spread in both executive and engineering, are not just participating; they are at the forefront, driving innovation, enhancing customer experiences, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding critical infrastructure.
Their journeys reflect exceptional dedication, strategic acumen, and a commitment to transforming the digital future.
This special feature spotlights some of the distinguished women who are redefining success and inspiring future generations in telecommunications.
Sylvia Mulinge
She is an industry titan whose journey from a scientific background to the helm of MTN is nothing short of inspiring.
Her career trajectory vividly illustrates strategic prowess and an innate understanding of market dynamics, distinguishing her as a standout figure in the competitive telecommunications sector.
Mulinge’s significant pivot from the precision of science to the dynamism of sales laid the groundwork for her eventual ascension.
This unconventional transition highlights her exceptional ability to master diverse disciplines, demonstrating a rare blend of analytical thinking and persuasive communication.
As the chief executive officer of MTN since October 2022, she has swiftly cemented her position as a force for progress, characterised by a forward-thinking vision aimed at steering MTN towards continued innovation and market dominance.
Her achievements extend beyond personal milestones, encompassing the strategic direction and operational excellence of a company critical to connectivity and economic development across the continent.
Mulinge, who was born in Kenya, began her career in August 2004 at Unilever as the assistant regional brand manager in the laundry division. She was later promoted as the brand manager for Sunlight, where she worked until January 2006.
In February 2006, she was hired by Safaricom as pre-pay manager until 2007, when she was promoted to head of retail. She rose through the ranks and was eventually appointed director of consumer business, before she was appointed MTN Uganda chief executive officer in 2022.
Mulinge holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nairobi.
Nataliey Bitature
She is the chief of staff at Simba Group, a diversified East African conglomerate with interests spanning hospitality, energy, telecom, and real estate.
She has previously received an honorary doctorate from Keele University for her inspiring leadership and work in empowering young women, and she is a recognised force in the telecommunications business, where Simba Group forms a critical part of the value chain.
She is a co-founder of Musana Carts, a social enterprise providing solar-powered vending solutions, and established “HER,” a transformative online mentorship community for young African women.
She has also been recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 and by the World Economic Forum as a top African innovator.
Bitature has previously worked as the chief business development officer at Tateru Properties, an intern in investment banking at Stanbic Bank, and as a Business Development Associate at Chapter Ten, Uganda.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management and Education Studies from Keele University and a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship from Hult International Business School.
Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda
She made history on July 1, 2022, when she became the first Ugandan chief executive officer of American Tower Corporation (ATC), a major telecommunication infrastructure provider.
A distinguished finance executive with over 16 years of experience, she previously served as ATC Uganda’s chief finance officer and held regional treasury management roles across EMEA.
She is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School.
Irene Kaggwa Ssewankambo
An engineer by training, Ssewankambo is a distinguished electrical engineer and corporate executive, whose extensive career has profoundly shaped the telecommunications regulatory landscape in Uganda and now globally.
Kaggwa is now trading her enviable skills and experience in the telecom industry with the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Switzerland.
She’s the Programme Manager at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for Giga, a joint ITU-UNICEF initiative that seeks to connect all schools to the Internet by 2030.
Highly regarded for her leadership and technical acumen, she notably served as the acting executive director at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) from February 2020, where she navigated the sector through critical periods and championed initiatives in ICT security, e-services, and regulatory framework development.
Her impactful tenure at UCC, which began in 1999 and saw her rise through the ranks to director of engineering and communication infrastructure, is marked by significant contributions to quality-of-service monitoring and fostering ICT research and innovation.
She has previously been praised by President Museveni as an “incorruptible civil servant,” and her commitment to governance and accountability is undeniable.
In 2024, she resigned from UCC, after which she joined the International Telecommunications Union in Switzerland.
Enid Edroma
She blends corporate governance and strategic legal affairs at MTN, serving as general manager for corporate services and company secretary.
Her extensive expertise spans corporate and legal affairs, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, and risk advisory.
Appointed to her current role in February 2019, Edroma previously excelled as general manager for risk and compliance at MTN and as board secretary for the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA).
A respected member of the Uganda Law Society, she plays a vital role in MTN’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, promoting ICT training and community empowerment.
Her leadership extends to sharing insights on investment and trade, and she is also the author of “What Next: A Young Lawyer’s Guide to a Successful Legal Career in Uganda,” underscoring her commitment to professional development.
Flavia Ntambi Lwanga
She stands out as a distinguished human resources director at Airtel, having joined the company on September 24, 2012.
In this crucial role, she meticulously shapes Airtel’s human capital strategy, encompassing talent management, employee welfare, and fostering a productive work environment that aligns HR practices with business continuity, especially amid disruptive challenges.
With an extensive background in HR and administration, including leadership roles at Stanbic Bank and Uganda Breweries, Ntambi brings a wealth of experience in managing diverse workforces.
She champions adaptability in talent management, leveraging technology for remote work, and prioritising employee well-being.
She holds a Master of Organizational Psychology, and she is a vocal advocate for continuous learning, digital literacy, and community involvement through Airtel’s CSR initiatives, reflecting her commitment to holistic organisational and societal development.
Joweria Nabakka
She was appointed Customer Experience Director at Airtel in January 2024 to redefine customer interactions and drive innovation.
Her leadership ensures that Airtel customers receive unparalleled services and benefit from strategic partnerships that enhance their overall experience.
Inside Uganda’s Property Market: Broll Uganda’s Moses Lutalo on Sector Realities and the Signals Investors Can’t IgnoreWith an extensive career trajectory within Airtel and its Warid Telecom acquisition, Nabakka has been instrumental in shaping the company’s product portfolio and market success.
Her strategic vision during the Warid-Airtel merger and the successful launch of popular data products like “Freaky Friday” and “Double Data” underscore her profound impact.
As a familiar public face of the Airtel brand, Nabakka leverages her deep understanding of the telecommunications sector to optimize data usage, enhance post-purchase services, and deliver exceptional value to Airtel’s dynamic customer base across Uganda.
Rebecca Mukite
Rebecca Mukite is a Telecommunications Engineer with more than a decade of experience in various fields of the industry, such as radio frequency spectrum planning and monitoring, technical licensing evaluation, communications, public relations, and international relations.
Her career started with regulatory-level RF spectrum planning and monitoring, where she gained expertise in managing and assessing complex technical data. From there, she progressed into technical licensing evaluation, where she was responsible for evaluating license applications and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Rebecca’s skillset further expanded into public and international relations in the telecommunications industry. She has significant experience in developing and implementing communication strategies, managing media relations, and building consensus on complex issues related to ICT public policy and regulation. This experience has given her a deep understanding of the vital role technology plays in enabling economic growth and development.
Throughout her career, Rebecca has shown an unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for advancing the telecommunications industry.
Away from work, Rebecca is God fearing, a pan-African, a sports lover, a runner, a boxer, and a lover of nature and everything outdoors
Lucy Nyakwera
A dedicated telecommunications engineer within the Spectrum Engineering and Authorization unit of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), a role she has held since January 2020, Nyakwera’s expertise is critical to the effective engineering, planning, and authorization of RF spectrum resources, aligning with Uganda’s national policy objectives.
She actively contributes to improving spectrum management processes at UCC and is a key participant in national and regional forums like the National Preparatory Committee for World Radiocommunication Conferences and the East African Communications Organisation Working Group 5.
Fiona Mary Kamikaze Beyaraaza
She is a highly skilled telecommunications engineer serving as a Compliance Engineer at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Her role is pivotal in ensuring adherence to regulatory standards within Uganda’s dynamic communications sector.
She holds a Master’s in Communication Management and a Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunications, a strong academic foundation complemented by practical experience in network planning, optimization, and telecommunications regulation.
Ritah Nassuuna
She commands a vital position as head of enterprise solutions at MTN, where she spearheads the provision of comprehensive telecommunications and technology solutions to businesses across Uganda.
In her strategic leadership role, Nassuuna drives the development and delivery of a diverse portfolio including connectivity, cloud services, IoT, managed services, and cybersecurity solutions.
Her focus is squarely on meeting the evolving needs of corporate clients, from SMEs to large enterprises, by building strong relationships and identifying new market opportunities.
Irene Nattabi
An engineer by training, Nattabi is a telecommunications expert and a highly credentialed project management professional, serving as the esteemed President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Uganda Chapter since May 2022.
With over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, Nattabi previously played a critical role in transmission planning and operations at Airtel, championing the deployment of extensive optic fibre and microwave networks across East Africa.
Her career is marked by leadership roles at American Tower Corporation, Huawei Technologies, and Warid Telecom, showcasing her ability to drive large-scale projects.
As a passionate mentor and advocate for women in engineering, Nattabi leverages her vast expertise and numerous professional certifications to foster growth and knowledge transfer within the project management and engineering communities, embodying transformative leadership.
Harriet Nakabiri
She is a dedicated Core Network Engineer at Uganda Telecommunications Corporation Limited (UTCL). She has over a decade of valuable experience in managing both fixed and mobile telecommunication networks.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Engineering from Makerere University and a diploma from Kyambogo University.
She also holds a couple of Professional Certified Network Associate certification that offers her a robust technical foundation.
Roy Ndikutusa
She is the chief commercial officer at Blue Crane Communications, a premier Internet Service Provider Network licensed by Uganda Communications Commission.
As a key member of the company’s executive leadership, she is responsible for spearheading Blue Crane Communications’ commercial strategies, driving business growth, and expanding market presence in IT and enterprise solutions.
His role encompasses overseeing the diverse portfolio of services offered, including cyber security, audio visual solutions, physical security, managed services, and IT and infrastructure solutions.
Ndikutusa‘s leadership is instrumental in leveraging the company’s team of highly skilled specialists to seamlessly execute critical, large-scale projects and meet the complex needs of its diverse client base.
Dorcus Muhwezi
As the general manager of customer experience at MTN, Muhwezi champions the voice of the customer, ensuring that a branded customer experience becomes a strategic differentiator for the telecom giant.
An electrical engineer by training, holding degrees from the University of Manchester and Universitaet Duisburg-Essen, Muhwezi brings a robust technical foundation to her customer-centric leadership.
Appointed in August 2016 after a distinguished 14-year tenure with MTN, including senior roles in network quality assurance and acting general manager sales and distribution, she offers strategic direction for customer experience across contact and service centres.
Her influence was pivotal in the national SIM Registration process, and she passionately advocates for leveraging digital channels to enhance customer interactions.
Muhwezi’s leadership is characterized by a dedication to quality, innovation, and empowering employees to prioritise customer satisfaction, making her a key figure in shaping MTN’s market leadership.
Juliet Kakai Nsubuga
She is the general manager for wholesale and carrier services at MTN. She is instrumental in fostering critical telecom-to-telecom partnerships that ensure seamless service experiences for MTN customers, whether roaming internationally or making local calls.
With over two decades of extensive experience in sales and marketing across the petroleum, FMCG, and telecommunications sectors, Nsubuga brings a wealth of commercial acumen to her role.
Since her promotion in June 2020, following 16 years of consistent growth within MTN, she has managed essential infrastructure services for other telecom providers, ensuring robust, excellent, and reliable delivery channels.
A highly regarded leader and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Nsubuga’s strategic vision emphasizes driving growth through innovation, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.
Peace Kabatangare Zulu
She is the general manager of Internal Audit and Forensics at MTN, a pivotal appointment in October 2024 aimed at strengthening the company’s governance and accountability.
A Chartered Accountant with over 13 years of experience in audit, risk management, and consulting, Zulu brings a formidable foundation in internal controls.
Her mandate includes overseeing internal audit and consulting activities to ensure robust risk management and process optimization, reinforcing MTN’s commitment to responsible business practices.
Before MTN, she served as chief internal auditor at New Vision Group and held key roles at multinational firms like EY and Lafarge-Holcim Hima Cement.
A dynamic business leader and author, Zulu is dedicated to transforming businesses through governance, strategic delivery, and fostering an open, accountable culture.
