Uganda to host Africa's corporate social responsibility conference

By Oyet Okwera

This year, Uganda will host the prestigious Africa's symposium on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Preparations have already started as organizers set the stage for different corporate and government organization to discuss CSR in Uganda.

According to David Sempala, the director for CSR in Africa, the day aims at providing the much needed platform for an open dialogue on doing business responsibly and mapping out solutions for a sustainable future.

"Today's business sustainability requires a strategy that is linked to the current and future social fabric. The scale of social crisis is enormous with various emerging issues and challenges including, climate change, health challenges, road safety and children's rights," explained Sempala

He was speaking to journalists at his Kamwokya coordinating offices about the conference which will be held at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

This CSR day slated for September 25th is organized by CSR Africa in conjunction with Royalway media under the theme "shaping our path towards a sustainable future."

All business main stream industries will be represented in the conference, which will emphasis a new dimension into the world of CSR.

Mouryn Luyombya an organizer at Royalway media says CSR plays a central role in better anticipation and management of this ever-expanding spectrum of risk.

"All players in business should know that sustainability, both for societies and enterprises, will require mutual accountability – a more collaborative relationship that allows each party to reach a shared understanding," said Luyombya

However,  Sempala cites a now growing shift in focus from shareholder value to stakeholder value where companies are striving at balancing people, planet and profit.

He said this year's conference in Uganda will show companies the new dimension of CSR in affecting business.

This year's event will be graced by a Nigerian motivational speaker, Dr. Wale Akinyemi who will discuss leadership in building a sustainable enterprise.