In a recent appointment, the telecommunication giant MTN Uganda has appointed Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge as its new chief executive officer (CEO). She replaces Wim Vanhelleputte, who is now an operating executive for WECA markets.
KAMPALA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — As part of its expansion plans, MTN Uganda has named Safaricom Plc’s chief consumer business officer Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge as its new chief executive officer (CEO). She replaces Wim Vanhelleputte, who has been promoted to the WECA Markets region as an operating executive.
- MTN Uganda further stated that Sylvia Wairimu, the new CEO, will take over the role from October 1, 2022, after Vanhelleputte steps down at the end of his tenure.
- A statement seen by lifestyleuganda.com quoted Chairman of the Board of Directors Charles Mbire saying: “The Board would like to express its deep appreciation for Mr. Vanhelleputte’s outstanding service to the Company over the years and his contribution to its growth during that time.”.
- Mr Wim Vanhelleputte captured public attention in 2019 when he was deported in February on allegations of undermining state security. Later in the year, President Museveni pardoned him and ordered that he be removed from the Stop List.
- Read also: MTN Group has developed a self-service app, MyMTN, for the management of your services, purchasing airtime, and for managing mobile money.
As per a statement shared by the telecom giants, Wim Vanhelleputte will cease to be the Chief Executive Officer of the company on July 31 2022, after which Mulinge will take on the role starting October 1, 2022.
“The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge as Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2022. Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte will cease to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective July 31, 2022, following the end of his tenure.”
“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,” they added.
Mr Mbire said:
“I would like to welcome Sylvia Mulinge to MTN Uganda. I believe that her experience will be beneficial to MTN, particularly given her alignment to 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,”
In addition, Wim Vanhelleputte led MTN to successfully renew its NTO license, separate the mobile financial services business from the telco business, and list the company on the Uganda Securities Exchange.
As of August 1, 2022, Mr Vanhelleputte will assume a regional role as Operating Executive for MTN Group’s WECA markets of Liberia, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, and Congo-Brazzaville.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Charles Mbire, stated in a statement seen by lifestyleuganda.com:
“The Board would like to thank Mr. Vanhelleputte for his outstanding service over the years and contribution to the Company’s growth during that time. We wish him the best in his new role.”.
She joins MTN from Safaricom Plc
Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge joins MTN as Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2022, from Safaricom Plc, where she currently serves as Chief Consumer Business Officer.
Sylvia Wairimu joined Safaricom in 2007 and has held several senior roles over the years, including Head of Retail, Head of Sales, and Director of Consumer Business.
She graduated from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, with a Bachelor of Science degree (first-class honors).
Deportation of Vanhelleputte
Mr Wim Vanhelleputte was in the news in 2019 after he was deported in February over accusations of undermining state security.
Later that same year, in June, President Museveni pardoned him and directed the Immigration Department to remove his name from the Stop List.
Mr Vanhelleputte’s departure came after the deportation of the company’s chief marketing officer, French-born Olivier Prentout, Elsa Mussolini (Italian), the company’s general manager for mobile money, and Annie Tabura (Rwandan), the company’s general manager of sales and distribution in January over activities perceived by the government to undermine national security.
After his deportation, Vanhelleputte filed a lawsuit in court, challenging the deportation process and the manner in which the Ministry of Internal Affairs shipped him out, contending that he was not given a fair hearing.
