Vision Group strengthens risk management with training of champions
“Risk management helps to anticipate what can go wrong and to identify new opportunities,” Naiga said.
Vision Group Chief Executive Officer Don Wanyama (4th Right), Deputy Managing Director Gervase Ndyanabo (3rd Right), Chief Human Resource Officer Gloria Agira Kaitesi (2nd left) and Vision Group Risk Champions pose for a photo with Chief Risk Officer Housing Finance Bank Marietta Naiga Matovu (5th left) on 26th August at Vision Group Head Office. (Photos by Miriam Najjingo)
By John Musenze
Journalists @New Vision
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Vision Group has moved to institutionalise risk management by training a team of departmental risk champions to lead the organisation’s response to emerging and existing threats in the media industry.
The move was underscored during a keynote address by Housing Finance Bank chief risk officer Marietta Naiga, who reminded staff that risk management is no longer an optional function but a strategic enabler for sustainability.
Naiga stressed that Vision Group must prepare for both immediate risks and long-term shifts in its business model.
“When I started in risk management in 2007, there was no structure, no proper guidance, and no clear standards in the Ugandan market. But in that uncertainty, there was opportunity,” she said.
“Risk management helps to anticipate what can go wrong and to identify new opportunities,” Naiga said.
Vision Group Chief Executive Officer Don Wanyama (2nd left) handing over a certificate of completion to Henry Mwine, one of the risk champions for having completed a 6 week training. Looking on is the Deputy Managing Director Gervase Ndyanabo (1st right) and Chief Risk Officer Housing Finance Bank Marietta Naiga Matovu (1st left) This happened on 26th August 2025 at Vision Group Head Office. 
She highlighted the evolving nature of risks in the media industry, including misinformation, the dominance of social media, regulatory changes such as data privacy, and technological disruptions.
She urged the newly trained risk champions to support management by identifying these risks early and providing foresight.
“As Vision Group, you have enormous influence on society because of the narratives you shape. That also makes you vulnerable to risks, competition, misinformation, reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny. Your role as risk champions is to see ahead, to anticipate, and to help management mine opportunities even in the midst of risks,” she told the trainees.
She added that risk champions should not view their roles as routine tasks but as responsibilities requiring innovation, dependability, and continuous investment in knowledge.
“Knowledge is the currency that will take you to the next step. Excellence in risk management must be consistent and dependable. When leaders know you deliver, they will entrust you with shaping the future,” Naiga said.
Innovation comes with risk
While passing out the trained risk champions on August 26, Vision Group Managing Director Don Wanyama reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to embedding risk management at the centre of decision-making, especially at a time when the media industry faces unprecedented disruption. The event was at the group's headquarters in Kampala city.
“The media thrives on innovation, but every innovation comes with risk. Our responsibility is to carefully evaluate, understand our operating environment, and then make informed business decisions. Risk management is not about fear or restraint—it is about making sure we are not caught by surprise,” Wanyama said.
He cited political reporting, digital migration, and business continuity as areas where risk assessments are essential.
The MD stressed the importance of business continuity planning, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had to adapt to working from home and other unforeseen realities. That experience demonstrated why continuity plans are vital. We must never collapse because we failed to anticipate disruptions,” he said.
Chief Risk Officer, Housing Finance Bank, Marietta Naiga Matovu.
The group's deputy managing director, Gervase Ndyanabo, echoed similar views, noting that the introduction of risk champions is not just about compliance but about building a culture that permeates all levels of the company.
“A champion is not only a messenger but an active promoter of a cause. For us, the cause is good risk management, which must gradually translate into a culture. Culture is not built in a day, but over time, through consistent processes and behaviours,” he said.
Five-year plan
According to Vision Group risk manager Ian Mugisha, the training of 14 departmental champions is designed to cascade risk management knowledge and practice across the entire organisation.
The six-week programme reviewed their roles, aligned them with company needs, and equipped them with practical skills.
“The strategy of Vision Group gives us a five-year plan. Risk management ensures that for every objective, we think through what could go wrong and plan accordingly. The champions will help us institutionalise this thinking,” Mugisha said.
He explained that the champions will coordinate risk awareness in their departments, moderate data collection, support risk reporting, and ensure Vision Group maintains a complete risk register.
“Their role is to keep us aligned with emerging risks globally and internally, and to ensure continuity of operations in all circumstances,” Mugisha added.
“This is not about paperwork or routine checklists,” Naiga had reminded the risk champions. “It is about foresight, about ensuring Vision Group continues to thrive in an environment where media is changing every day.”
Family setting
Risk champions themselves reflected on the lessons they had drawn.
Constantine Odongo, one of the risk champions, said the sessions had opened his eyes to how deeply risk is woven into daily life. Using real life illustrations, he likened insurance, staff training and even team bonding to risk mitigation in a family setting.
“Every investment, whether at home or in the workplace, carries risk. It may fail or it may blossom—but what matters is being intentional about identifying, analysing, and planning for those risks. That is the foundation of enterprise risk management,” he explained.
Debra Tumukunde, another champion, stressed the importance of incident reporting and business continuity.
She noted that without timely reporting and proactive planning, disruptions could paralyse operations.
“Business continuity means preparing before, during and after disruptive events, so that people, processes and systems remain functional. If we fail to prepare, we are preparing to fail,” she said.
According to Mugisha, formalising the role of risk champions, Vision Group signals its recognition that good risk management is good governance, and that sustainability in today’s media environment requires both vigilance and adaptability.
The champions now carry the responsibility of not only protecting the organisation from risks but also of helping it seize opportunities in an evolving and highly competitive industry.