When Sylvia Mulinge took over as Chief Executive Officer of MTN Uganda in October 2022, she stepped into history as the company’s first-ever female CEO. What many didn’t expect was how a marketer’s instinct, sharpened over years in Kenya’s Safaricom, would become the driving force behind MTN Uganda’s transformation into a powerhouse of innovation, customer-centricity, and financial growth.

Early foundations of leadership

Born in Kenya, Mulinge grew up in a middle-class family where education and discipline were central. Her father, an engineer, and her mother, a secretary at a bank, instilled in her resilience and a belief in justice. From chasing down bullies in primary school to standing up against unfair punishments in high school, Mulinge’s childhood was marked by courage and a sense of responsibility.

Though she initially dreamed of studying pharmacy, fate led her to food science and technology. She graduated with first-class honors, proving her father’s lesson true, setbacks can be steppingstones. Her career began at Unilever in South Africa, but it was at Safaricom where she spent 16 years rising through the ranks—that she honed her marketing acumen and leadership skills.

The CEO transition

Taking the reins at MTN Uganda was no small feat. Mulinge arrived in Kampala knowing few people, but her experience in Safaricom’s boardroom prepared her for the challenge. “That first meeting with my team was unforgettable,” she recalls. “Everyone was looking at me, wondering where I would take them.”

Her answer came swiftly; growth through innovation, collaboration, and customer obsession. Within two years, MTN Uganda was voted the best telecom company in the country, a testament to her ability to inspire teams and deliver results.

Financial triumphs

Under Mulinge’s leadership, MTN Uganda closed 2025 with record-breaking results:

• Revenue Growth: Service revenue surged 13.4% to Ush 3.6 trillion.
• Data Boom: Data revenue jumped 28.8%, reflecting Uganda’s digital transformation.
• Fintech Expansion: MoMo transactions soared to Ush 195.5 trillion, driving a 17.3% revenue increase.
• Profitability: Profit After Tax rose to Ush 678.8 billion, with adjusted growth of 23.1%.
• Subscribers: Mobile users grew 10% to 24.2 million, while data subscribers hit 12 million.

These achievements marked the successful completion of MTN’s Ambition 2025 Strategy, positioning the company as a leader in digital and financial services.

Balancing leadership and family

Despite her professional success, Mulinge admits the hardest part of her journey is being away from her children, her daughter in Kenya and her son in the UK. Yet she remains intentional about family time, recalling Sunday dinners in Nairobi filled with conversations and prayers.

Breaking barriers for women

Mulinge’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Early in her career, she faced intimidation in male dominated boardrooms. A humiliating mistake during a presentation once left her in tears, but it also fueled her determination to build knowledge and confidence.

Today, she champions courageous women who believe in themselves, while also emphasizing the importance of male allies in creating space for female leaders.

Customer-Centric Vision

For Mulinge, customer feedback is “the breakfast of champions.” She believes listening to clients is the key to sustainability, a philosophy that has guided her push for digitalization and improved customer experiences.

The Marketer Who Became one of Uganda’s Best Executives

Sylvia Mulinge’s story is more than a corporate success, it’s a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of marketing instincts in leadership. From her early days at Safaricom to steering MTN Uganda into record-breaking growth, she has proven that great CEOs aren’t just strategists, they are storytellers, innovators, and champions of people.

Her journey underscores a powerful truth: when courage meets customer focus, the result is not just business success, but lasting impact.