MD
@AbsaUganda
. Chartered Accountant with 20+ years experience in both private & public sectors. Passionate about growing talented leaders & achieving results.
Mentorship has played such an integral role in the success stories of myself and so many others. Thanks to
@rkabushenga
's
#40DayMentor
platform, there is an opportunity to impact the next generation on a much larger scale. Join me tomorrow as I share insights from my journey.
Thank you guys so much for dedicating your time to the
#40daysmentor
.
@rkabushenga
&
@Comrade_Otoa
- what you have here is a powerful means to impact the lives of so many! To the listeners, I urge you to take the words that are said during these sessions & put them into action.
Earlier this week
@mkatagaya
shared a story about how Geoffrey who works as a security guard with
@G4s
at our ATM in Kyanja had returned funds left in the ATM dispenser. I was honored to meet Geoffrey yesterday and learn his life story.
I was particularly impressed by his
As I approach one year in my role as MD of
@AbsaUganda
, are there any business and finance enthusiasts I can follow to get an even better view of the industry in Uganda? I’m excited to learn from and interact with you.
When you become a CEO, your technical abilities are not in question, and what's left is how well you deal with people. 70% of being a CEO is managing stakeholders, so I encourage anyone with this vision to develop and master good people management skills early enough.
Climbing the corporate ladder brings the risk of losing your individuality & getting lost in the role. This is why cultivating humility and empathy are important - they are a great way to save yourself from the negative attitudes that can develop when you are privileged to lead.
A short thread:
When I was younger, I used to plan my life in 5-year cycles – telling myself that I would need to make at least 2 upward movements in my career every 5 years. I was hardworking and added value – which is a formula that had been working for me.
Take care of your health and/or invest in insurance. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that your entire savings and investments (your life’s work) can be wiped out by a single medical emergency.
2023 was the year I reached the youthful age of 50, and what a journey it’s been! Thinking back to the younger Mumba – a proud and driven chap who wanted it all and wanted it fast – here is some advice I would give that I believe the younger generation can pick a leaf from.
I spent the weekend appreciating pastoral farming at a friend’s farm in Rushere County, Kiruhura District. The beautiful and serene countryside is very calming. I was truly inspired and who knows, farming might be in the cards for me.
Negotiating a higher salary.
For salaried workers, an increase in the prices of goods & services means you either have to cut back on your spending or negotiate a higher pay. But, negotiating a pay rise will never be easy. If you feel like you can get a better deal elsewhere,..
It’s always great catching up with
@rkabushenga
, with whom I share a deep passion for mentoring the next generation of leaders. Thank you, Chief, for sharing leadership lessons from your extreme sports adventures and, of course, for the infectious laughter. I'll be cheering for..
Constantly educate yourself on the different options that earn passive income. Agriculture, boda bodas etc. can be great side hustle options if you’ve hacked effective management, but the financial & stock markets also offer low-risk long-term options to make money passively.
Learn to manage inherited wealth. Inheriting property, stocks, cash etc. doesn't mean you should go on a spending spree & sometimes, these come with tax implications. Learn to grow that wealth or bring in professionals that know how to. Lawyers, tax advisors, wealth managers etc.
To push Africa forward, we need to instil cultures that push us to be accountable to the future, and not just relying on short-term fixes to the problems of today.
I had a beautiful time tasting out the very awesome new menu at Tamarai in Kololo yesterday with the family. I always cherish the time spent with family. A great Sunday and week ahead!
Diversify your savings and investments. This presents some shields against the depletion of savings or business losses in one option and the disillusionment that comes with it.
In response to the need for oxygen therapy as a necessary treatment for critical COVID-19 cases,
@AbsaUganda
today handed over 160 oxygen cylinders to the
@MinofHealthUG
, to be evenly distributed to the Regional Referral Hospitals of Soroti, Gulu, Lira and Jinja.
#ForceForGood
I found myself reflecting on this powerful interview with Dr. Alan Shonubi: . I love the bit about showing children where their school fees come from. Because January is financially demanding for families, here is how I teach my children to respect money.
We often speak about how small businesses can brand themselves and retain customers but rarely do we speak to how they can maintain proper cash flow management structures. This is the reality of business and a big contributor to business failure.
Career growth doesn't happen overnight, especially if you start to lose patience when it feels like your progress has stagnated. Master strategic patience with grit, discipline and the willingness to work the process.
Being accountable to your tasks and goals is a great trait to have, but this must be counterbalanced with accountability to oneself. Always remember that you can’t always be working. You are also accountable for your rest and exercise.
Not often do we get to experience an individual of such stellar character & fortitude as Prof. Emmanuel Mutebile. Uganda's banking industry has lost a relentless reformist, who dedicated his life to the betterment of the financial services sector. May His Soul Rest in Peace.
And third, sometimes, things happen for a reason, and before you respond or react emotionally, take a step back and evaluate what the bigger picture is. Your behaviour today will determine where you go tomorrow.
End.
Sometimes, your success as a leader boils down to your humility towards and respect for your people. For me, that is what makes the difference, and it has worked wonders. Here are two examples:
“If I had to run a company on three measures, those measures would be customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and cash flow.” - Jack Welch.
This is usually what it all boils down to and will be your key driver of brand equity and growth.
"The leaders whom people respect and will follow have the characteristics of being themselves, of being passionate about what they are doing, communicating that in a heartfelt way that touches hearts.” – Theresa Gattung.
Conflict will almost always be a part of human interaction. And in workplaces made up of people from diverse backgrounds & with different personalities, it is often unavoidable. Here are a few tips to help leaders resolve conflicts in the workplace – do feel free to add your own.
One of the best ways for a leader to ensure they get the very best out of their team is to incorporate a culture that gives people the freedom to disagree on specific subjects, as long as the end goal is to fine-tune positive customer-facing interventions.
Never let your job title define who you are as a person. Your character should be independent of your role because someday, you will not be in that role and might struggle to figure out who you are and where you fit in the world.
It’s really unfortunate that today’s hustle hasn’t paid off.
But, I know that clever ideas make for awesome innovations at their best and great stories at their worst.
Today’s kuyiriiba has refused 😭😂
Wama
@MumbaKalifungwa
, I have some clever ideas at iVERSE that you’d really love, just need one muggaga badde to hear me out.
Ps: This isn’t a luseke tweet... okay it is 😂
While our hearts continue to go out to those affected by the devastation in Kiteezi, we are reminded of the moral and humanitarian responsibility we have for those in need.
Yesterday, we contributed UGX. 100 million to
@UgandaRedCross
to help provide essential home shelter kits
'People will always bet on you as an individual before they invest in your business/idea. Invest in yourself, build your credibility, and know the intricate details of your business.' Very well said,
@Davisthedoc
#360Mentor
Always hire for values and a positive attitude. I like to say that every time you hire a person, you are making a decision about your company's values and the person’s potential. I find it's always better to hire people who already share and live your values than it is to try...
I feel a strong sense of nostalgia seeing all the pictures of young people graduating from different universities. To all those graduating, congratulations and welcome to adulthood, but here’s some simple and practical advice I learned the hard way and through experience:
My wife, Niza, doesn’t always agree with me, but I think that’s okay. She keeps me honest without taking my word as the gospel truth.
Listening to views that differ from yours is a vital yet dying skill, especially for leaders. While being right and winning arguments can be
The reality of customer care channels is that they are manned by human beings. People with personal struggles, who can get overwhelmed and frustrated when large, complex systems malfunction. Managers can't be everywhere at once, so some complaints will fall through the cracks.1/2
I'm very much looking forward to this conversation.
@KigoziMaggie
,
@mosesmukisa
,
@rkabushenga
, and I will be sharing some insights on planning and investing for the future. Set a reminder here:
For the thousands of walkers, runners, our chief runner, Hon.
@Thomas_Tayebwa
, sponsors and our esteemed partners Kampala Hash House Harriers, thank you for joining us for the second
#AbsaKH3_7HillsRun
.
To all our partners, we are grateful for your commitment and contributions
I had the honour of being inducted as a charter member of the newly-formed Rotary Club of Kigo Seven Lakes Golf. Last night’s charter ceremony was a beautiful coming together of friends and colleagues under the shared value of service to humanity.
Leaders can get carried away by the need to look good & post great numbers, but it’s critical to navigate the art of managing expectations. Be mindful of making promises that will break your teams. Realistically push your people to be better without crushing them in the process.
Two kinds of people emerge after every long holiday: those who return feeling re-energised and ready to win and; those who got too comfortable and find it hard to transition back to the work routine. Whichever side you are on, if you are looking for motivation, remember that
That experience taught me 3 things: First, the value of gaining additional skills and competencies. Second, to always strive to make my boss’ job easy - as I have been able to advance in my career by taking on more responsibility and supporting my boss 100%.
Here at Kololo Independence Grounds together with the Deputy Speaker, Hon.
@Thomas_Tayebwa
to flag off the 2nd
#AbsaKH3_7HillsRun
.
Wishing all the runners the best of luck and see you at the finish line.
Today we announced our 2023 financial results and here are the key highlights central to our story looking back at 2023:
The double-digit growth in revenue (15.6%) speaks to the relevance of the financial solutions we offer to you, our customers.
We delivered at Profit After
Together with the Management Team, we received a welcome surprise from
@sylmulinge
& her team making
@AbsaUganda
their first client visit as we celebrate & honour Customer Service Month. It felt great being appreciated as a customer, & we immensely value our friendship and...
@Comrade_Otoa
@SolomonSerwanjj
Quite the journey, Tony. This should be an inspiration to anyone feeling left behind in life. You can start from where you are, use what you have and work hard for the success you desire.
Tomorrow,
@AbsaUganda
will host the 2023 Economic Outlook Forum, where we shall discuss Uganda’s performance in the
#AFMIndex2022
with both public and private sector stakeholders. Do join us live for a rich discussion on how to move Uganda’s financial markets forward.
As I stepped out of the house to head out into the week, this old Zambian proverb came to mind: “Treat the days well and they will treat you well.” Time rewards those who respect, plan for and optimise for it, much like a well-tended garden or well-serviced car. Olunaku olulungi.
..have in mind when negotiating higher pay. Also, networking could introduce you to your next employer, who might offer you a better opportunity than where you currently are.
The formula is as follows: Add value, then negotiate off that.
I was honoured to welcome Team Uganda back & convey my congratulations for their commendable feat at the
#TokyoOlympics
.
@AbsaUganda
is committed to strengthening our support for Uganda's talented sportspeople as part of our purpose to bring possibilities to life.
@joshuacheptege1
Communication and transparency within working teams are essential to aligning your strategy and ensuring that everyone has the right information to perform at their best. Unless confidential, hoarding critical details to give yourself an edge is a shortsighted strategy.
We regret the system interruption that affected access to
@AbsaUganda
’s Mobile, ATM, and POS systems over the weekend. We reiterate that your satisfaction is what every member of the Absa team works towards every day, especially in times like these. 1/2
“This past year has been rough — we’re all human! and living through a traumatic event! — but I’m hopeful that the empathy and grace we continue to show our teammates will have a positive impact on the culture of work moving forward.”
Lots of people don't last long in new work environments because they fail to adapt their mindsets to the change of pace or deliverables. This is why a professional and emotional reset is necessary when changing jobs or careers.
As your career advances & you enter spaces with more educated & experienced peers, imposter syndrome may creep in. One way to deal with it is to build a community of trustworthy peers who can criticise honestly & constructively, validate your strengths & encourage your growth.
#ScoreWithAbsa
Every new year comes with new goals or the renewed urge to achieve whatever we weren't able to in the previous year, and often, this requires funds that might not be readily available.
@AbsaUganda
has come forward to support you as you embark on this journey with:
I checked in on our mortgage experts at the Homes & Gardeners Expo today. The Expo brings together a range of service providers working to provide clients with products and advises on how to acquire a home, invest in real estate, or beautify their living spaces.
Congratulations to the thousands of young adults graduating from university. My advice to you: Never stop learning and dare to do something impactful. Build on the technical knowledge you have gained by developing soft skills and competencies in line with the tech-driven world we
There are two kinds of people in this world: Those with an internal locus of control and those with an external locus of control.
The difference between the two is this: Those with an internal locus of control believe that they have control over what happens to them and in
Usually, on Fridays at around this time, some say it's time to close the laptops. But please, make sure you’ve done whatever you need to do before you leave work. You don’t want your weekend interrupted or to start a new week with unpleasant conversations.
Yesterday, I was honoured to attend the official launch of the new
@AbsaZambia
Headquarters. Officiating the launch was H.E.
@HHichilema
in the company of our Group Chairman - Mr Sello Moloko; ARO Executive - Saviour Chibiya; Absa Zambia CEO
@mizingamelu
and other colleagues.
We are taking a tour of our branch & customer network in Western Uganda this week, and the purpose of the trip is to spend time with both clients & colleagues, listen, & take their feedback. Today’s visit to our branch in Mbarara was exceptional. I was given the name Musinguzi...
Young creatives want to believe in and put their talents to work on something worthwhile. Please don't let them down and kill their ideals. Pay them on time, be honest and involve them if things are going wrong.
Being part of the
#NSSFCareerExpo
was a great opportunity to give back to the youth and show them that I was once young and there were lessons I learned that have stayed with me. Here are some of the ways you can turn your idea into a viable business opportunity.
The
#AbsaKH3_7HillsRun
is back for the second edition! To underscore the impact of the inaugural run, here are the numbers:
1. We raised UGX 200 million.
2. We supported 1,159 women in partnership with World Vision Uganda worth UGX 90 million to boost water, hygiene, and
We have been on a culture transformation journey as Absa, which started with a review and reveal of our purpose statement (Empowering Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time).
This was followed by a refreshed set of values which guide the way we behave as colleagues.
A vote of thanks to all who engaged in today’s meaningful
#PostBudgetDialogue24
. As
@AbsaUganda
, we are proud to continue the tradition of driving conversation and debate around the National Budget in partnership with
@mofpedU
and
@ntvuganda
to complement Government’s efforts in
We don’t often speak about the financial wisdom passed down to us by our mothers, so for
#WomensMonth
, here are a few money lessons I learned from running errands with my mother – a lawyer and businessperson. Feel free to add your own. 1/6
Members of
@AbsaUganda
's senior leadership and myself yesterday embarked on a series of visits to branches & customers around the country. One of our first stops was the Police Training School at Kabalye, Masindi. 1/3
The ‘hedgehog Concept’ is a model I picked from Jim Collins’ book – Good to Great.
It's about balancing what you’re passionate about, what you’re the best or good at, and what makes financial sense. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or part of an organization’s leadership, I think
Another stellar
#40DayMentor
session with
@rkabushenga
&
@Comrade_Otoa
on Public Speaking. my take- we can all become great speakers- the power of our stories and a lot of practice will get you there.
Like I said, it truly is a balancing act and how you manage time. In my view, the time to leave is when your business is able to generate more income than your salary pays and is able help you live a reasonably comfortable life that meets all your necessities.
#40DayMentor
.
@MumbaKalifungwa
what advice would you give a person with a side hustle on how to balance that with their formal job. How would they know it is time to make a choice to focus on one or the other?
#40DayMentor
Thank you,
@BusinessTimesUg
for this recognition. It truly is an honour. But at the core of it all, I appreciate the magnificent team at
@AbsaUganda
whose work remains integral to the successes we continue to register over the years. Gakyali mabaga (So little done, so much more
Ever heard of paralysis anxiety? Ever have that paralysing anxiety over uncompleted tasks, and counterintuitively, instead of chipping away at them, you are so overwhelmed you can’t seem to start? This happens when people spend more time planning than executing.
Being a stickler for detail is something I learned very early in my career and something I recommend for every business person. A clear understanding of the nitty-gritty is critical because it's often where execution meets hurdles.
In line with our commitment to foster the growth of golf in Uganda,
@AbsaUganda
is the official banking partner of the 2021 Uganda Golf Open. We continue to bring possibilities to life for Uganda's talented sportspeople by providing a platform for them to showcase their skills.
A lot about life boils down to solving problems. It’s not what you know, it’s what you can solve. What gives you an edge, therefore, is how well you understand systems that grow more complex by the day and how well you can provide solutions.
Alex Mukasa - the Managing Director of
@MarshGlobal
Uganda – paid us a courtesy call earlier today. He shared some great insights into the growing importance of managing risk by leveraging technology and data, which we very much appreciate.
We spent part of the day drinking from
@KigoziMaggie
's rich well of wisdom - having led a fiercely purposeful life, constantly reinventing herself. Her Zuri Model Farm is an impressive mixed farm & a platform to improve the farming expertise of the surrounding communities.👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
This morning, I hosted a delegation from the South African High Commission in Uganda, led by H.E. Lulama Mary-Theresa Xingwana. We discussed
@AbsaUganda
's proud heritage in Uganda and how we can work together on some of the mission’s programs to deepen our impact in Uganda.
Here’s one thing that’s not often talked about and occasionally haunts people later in life: University is supposed to prepare you for self-management and adulthood. You have freedom, a budget (pocket money), assignments and deadlines etc. – and you’re supposed to develop..
The downward revision of the cheque value limit that recently went into effect by
@BOU_Official
is a welcome development in the world of finance. The drive towards a digitally-led financial ecosystem will greatly ease the way we conduct business locally and globally.
This morning,
@AbsaUganda
hosted Compliance professionals from the banking industry to a full-day training on how to create and embed ethical cultures within their organisations. 1/3
Mr Venkatesh Kumar - the CEO of Mandela Group of Companies and his team have partnered with
@AbsaUganda
to provide service excellence training for frontline staff. At
@Absa
, we know that Customer Experience is important & consistently challenge ourselves with best practices. 1/2
Yesterday, after interacting with customers & colleagues in Kabale, we took a visually stunning drive to Kasese & made a stopover at Kyambura- taking in the stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains & Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda truly is the Pearl of Africa.
#VisitUganda
One of the challenges facing the well-intentioned drive to plant trees is the question of their survival. As such, earlier today,
@AbsaUganda
&
@mytreeUganda
initiated a partnership to engage up to 80,000 students from 160 primary & secondary schools to plant & ensure the..