MTN-Uganda has appointed Safaricom’s Ms Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge as their new chief executive officer, replacing Mr Wim Vanhelleputte who has been promoted to a regional role as operating executive for the WECA Markets of Liberia, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, and Congo-Brazzaville within the MTN Group.
During his six years of service, Mr Vanhelleputte is said to have delivered the renewal of MTN’s NTO License, the separation of the mobile financial services business from the telco business and the initial public offer and listing of the Company on the Uganda Securities Exchange.
“The Board is grateful to Mr Vanhelleputte for his outstanding service over the years and contributed to the Company’s growth during that period. We wish him the best in his new role,” Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Charles Mbire is quoted to have said.
In her current role at Safaricom, Ms Mulinge 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.
She joined Safaricom in 2007 and has occupied various senior roles over the years, including head of retail, head of sales, and director of consumer business. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree (first-class honours)