MTN Uganda Limited has announced that Wim Vanhelleputte will no longer perform duties as the Chief Executive of the telecom company.

According to the MTN media release issued this afternoon, Wim, as commonly known will effective July 31, 2022, cease to be the boss following the end of his tenure.

“MTN Uganda Limited (“the Company”) informs its shareholders and the public that Mr Wim Vanhelleputte will cease to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective July 31, 2022, following the end of his tenure.,” the statement reads.

Vanhelleputte has served six (6) years at the helm of MTN Uganda. 

He successfully delivered the renewal of MTN’s NTO License, the separation of the mobile financial services business from the telecom business and the initial public offer and listing of the Company on the Uganda Securities Exchange. 

According to the release, Wim 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 effective August 1, 2022.

Chairman of the Board of Directors Charles Mbire in a statement said “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.”

Meanwhile, the board announced Wim's successor immediately after issuing the news of his departure.

“The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge as Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2022. Ms Mulinge joins MTN from Safaricom Plc where she currently is Chief Consumer Business Officer. In this role, she is responsible for driving the consumer telecoms business, managing the overall brand, and leading the transformation of Safaricom to become a digital lifestyle enabler of consumers’ lives.” The statement reads.

According to the statement, 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).

“I would like to welcome Sylvia Mulinge to MTN Uganda. I believe that her experience will be beneficial to MTN, particularly given her alignment with 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.” Mbire concludes

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