Vanhelleputte set to leave MTN Uganda, Safaricom’s Mulinge to Takeover

On Thursday 30^th June 2022, MTN Uganda announced that Wim Vanhelleputte will be leaving his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will be replaced by Safaricom’s Chief consumer Business officer Mulinge Sylvia who will take office effective October 1^st 2022.

Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte who has been promoted to a regional role as operating executive for the WECA Markets of Liberia, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, and Congo-Brazzaville within the MTN Group will be leaving MTN Uganda come July 31,2022. In his new role, Vanhelleputte will report to Senior Vice President Markets, Ebenezer Asante-Twum.

During his six years tenure as CEO, Mr Vanhelleputte is praised for having pushed the company into a digital era, delivered the renewal of MTN’s NTO License, the separation of the mobile financial services business from the telco business and the initial public offer and listing of the Company on the Uganda Securities Exchange.

The chairman board of directors Mr. Charles Mbire praised Vanhelleputte for his outstanding work.

“The Board is grateful to Mr Vanhelleputte for his outstanding service over the years and contribution to the Company’s growth during that period. We wish him the best in his new role,” Mr Charles Mbire said.

Mbire continued by welcoming East African industry giant Sylvia Mulinge to MTN Uganda.

“I would like to welcome Sylvia Mulinge to MTN Uganda. I believe that her experience will be beneficial to MTN, particularly given her alignment to our strategic intent of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. The Board is confident that Ms. Mulinge will continue the work of growing the Company as a leading provider of telecommunications and digital solutions,” Mr Mbire said.

Ms. Mulinge joined Safaricom in 2007 and has occupied various senior roles over the years, including head of retail, head of sales, and director of consumer business. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree (first-class honours).

In the interim, the current Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Andrew Bugembe, has been appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer effective August 1, 2022, until September 30, 2022.