MTN Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, has been recognized as the best CEO across all 20 African countries where the telecom giant operates.
Ms. Mulinge, who assumed the leadership role at MTN Uganda in 2022, received this prestigious accolade at the MTN Global Leadership Gathering (GLG) gala dinner held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday.
“See what the Lord has done! What an amazing surprise! I’m still processing,” expressed Ms. Mulinge in a heartfelt reaction to the honour.
Her leadership has been instrumental in MTN Uganda’s continued success and growth. Under Ms. Mulinge’s leadership, MTN Uganda has set new benchmarks within the telecom industry, prioritizing innovation, customer satisfaction, and social impact.
This recognition follows another significant achievement, as she was named Uganda’s Leading and Most Admired CEO in CEO East Africa Magazine’s 2024 survey.
See what the Lord has done!
What an amazing surprise!
I’m still processing…😃 https://t.co/g4iiYPmEvS— Sylvia Mulinge M.B.S (@sylmulinge) February 6, 2025
Her transformative leadership has garnered admiration from industry peers and the wider community, solidifying her position as a respected figure in the Ugandan corporate landscape.
MTN Uganda Celebrates Multiple Awards at GLG
In addition to Ms. Mulinge’s recognition, MTN Uganda was celebrated with several other prestigious awards at the GLG gala, including:
- Group President and CEO Award – Y’ello Care: Honoring the profound impact of MTN Uganda’s 2024 ’30 Days of Y’ello Care’ employee volunteer program, which has positively impacted the local community.
- Million Dollar Award – Best OpCo of the Year: Acknowledging MTN Uganda’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence in line with the Ambition 2025 strategy.
- Value-Based Capital Allocation Award: Recognizing strategic investments that generate long-term, sustainable value for stakeholders.
Ms. Mulinge’s leadership has not only positioned MTN Uganda as a market leader but also as a benchmark for corporate excellence, social responsibility, and sustainable growth. Her impact has significantly influenced MTN Group’s overall performance across Africa.
A Look at Mulinge’s Journey
Ms. Mulinge’s journey to leading MTN Uganda began with her extensive experience in the telecom industry. Prior to joining MTN Uganda, she held key roles at Safaricom, including Chief Consumer Business Officer.
She was appointed as MTN Uganda’s CEO on October 1, 2022, succeeding Wim Vanhelleputte, who assumed a regional role within the MTN Group.
Ms. Mulinge’s leadership career also includes her time at Vodacom Tanzania in 2018, although she was unable to assume the role due to complications with work permits.
Her career trajectory at Safaricom, where she joined in 2007, saw her ascend through various senior roles, including head of retail, head of sales, and director of consumer business.
MTN Uganda, which went public on the Uganda Securities Exchange in 2022, has witnessed remarkable growth under Ms. Mulinge’s leadership.
The company reported a 5.8% increase in net profit, reaching Shs 340.4 billion for the year ending December 2021, with subscriber growth of nearly 11% to 15.7 million.
MTN’s Pan-African Reach
MTN operates in 20 countries across Africa, each benefiting from the company’s robust leadership and commitment to connectivity, innovation, and community development.
