ESG summit 2025 focuses on Uganda’s sustainable business agenda

Businesses have been urged to move beyond viewing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) as merely Corporate Social Responsibility but instead adopt it as a strategic driver for brand trust and long-term success.

According to Paul Mwirigi Muruingi, Managing Director at Capital One Group, ESG is no longer about compliance, but rather about resilience, reputation, and real growth. He was speaking during the 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Summit held in Kampala on Thursday.

This year's summit was held under the theme “Driving Sustainable Growth Through ESG Integration”, providing a dynamic platform for engagement and knowledge sharing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles through thought-provoking masterclasses and hands-on ESG best practices.

“As Uganda’s business ecosystem continues to evolve, the ESG Summit serves as a powerful platform to inspire, educate, and drive meaningful change. We look forward to building on this momentum through continued engagement,” Muruingi said.

The Summit featured a keynote address from the Global Reporting Initiative, the ESG Institute (Ghana), and engaging presentations from Mobcast Media, Kasi Insights, Hariss International, Uganda Marketers Society (UMS), Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), and Tree Adoption Uganda.

In his keynote address, Douglas Kativu, Director at the Global Reporting Initiative, emphasised the significance of ESG in Africa’s development trajectory, adding that ESG must not be treated as an afterthought but rather a business imperative in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth in Uganda.

Kativu highlighted the continent’s growing contribution to global sustainability standards and emphasised the need for credible, localised ESG expertise. He also encouraged Uganda to seize the moment and pave the way for capacity building.

Paul Mwirigi Muruingi, Managing Director at Capital One Group during the summit.

Charity Winnie Kamusiime Asiimwe, President of the Uganda Marketers Society, emphasised the urgency of sustainability and the role of marketers and business leaders in driving real impact.

“Sustainability is not a trend; it is our shared responsibility. Every plastic bottle we throw and every fire we light has consequences beyond our borders. ESG is not a tick box; it's a call to protect our people, our planet, and our future. The green economy holds promise, but only if we act today, not with words, but with bold, measurable action,” she said.

Irene Nabasiita, President, Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), said ESG is more than a narrative but a commitment that should be embodied by communications experts in their day-to-day activities.

“As communicators, our role is to be truthful, courageous, and purposeful. We must give voice to the environment, uplift our communities, and champion transparency and good governance. True impact begins with authentic storytelling. Let those we serve tell the unbiased story of our values in action.”

The ESG Impact Report, whose launch is in October on World Sustainability Day, is being developed in close collaboration with leading researchers and private sector players and promises actionable insights into ESG integration for local businesses.

Participants at the summit were enriched with ESG knowledge, stronger professional networks, and tangible ideas for integrating sustainability into their business strategies. Increased ESG-oriented investments and regional and international partnerships are expected as a result of the summit.