Viewpoints with Brenda Brenda Ntambirweki

Muthoni Waigwa is a Kenyan creative entrepreneur with over 12 years’ experience in the media and entertainment industry. She is a digital content producer and creator and the co- founder of a graphic design and audio-visual production company, Nifty Works Plus Limited, which has been in operation for over 8 years. Muthoni is also a podcast producer and the host of Moments with Nderru Podcast which was launched in March 2020. 

On this episode, Muthoni speaks about creating and producing African content, barriers to consumption of African content and possible policy and other infrastructure improvements that may address the daily challenges African players in the creative space face. 

Aga Sekalala Jr.  is a Ugandan entrepreneur, investor, business executive and innovator.  Aga is the founder, former CEO and executive chairman of Radio Simba, one of Uganda’s most popular radio stations.  He is also the Executive Director of Ugachick, a major poultry operation in Uganda, a former Board Chair of KCB Bank and a former Board member of the Uganda Investment Authority and the Uganda Export Promotion Board. Aga is  currently the Vice Chairman of the Uganda Manufacturers Association and Chairman of the Poultry Producers of Uganda.

Aga speaks about his experience in managing one of the most successful cross-generational businesses in Uganda -- from the role stewardship, mentorship and family principles have played in the business to the importance of financial readiness. Aga also speaks about balancing family dynamics in a family business and the advantages of vertical integration to his family's poultry business. Aga also speaks about why (for now) institutional investors are preferred to venture capital or private equity as a source of funding for his family's business. 

Nshuti Lucy Mbabazi is the Lead for Africa Advocacy & Partnerships at the United Nations Better than Cash Alliance, tasked with ensuring that digital payments reach and work for every African. Nshuti holds several advisory roles with a number of organizations such as  Girl Effect, Girls in ICT Rwanda, Leo Africa Institute, BBOXX Rwanda and RICTA Rwanda. Nshuti previously worked with Rwanda Development Board, Visa Inc. and Ecobank Group. 

On this episode, Nshuti breaks down the misconceptions around cashless economies and explains how cashless economies can facilitate financial inclusion. Nshuti also speaks about the policies that African stakeholders in government and the private sector can adopt to ensure innovation and inclusion in the digital payments sector. 

Benjamin Rukwengye is a thought leader in the education and professional development space in Uganda and the founder and CEO of Boundless Minds, a mentorship social enterprise focusing on soft-skilling as a pathway to accelerate school-to-work transition for students.  He is the founding chairman of 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation, a leading local philanthropy movement, a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur, a KAS Youth4Policy Fellow, a Young and Emerging Leaders Project Fellow and has been named by Uganda’s New Vision as one of Uganda’s Top 40 under 40. 

Benjamin speaks about the inspiration behind Boundless Minds and the important work that Boundless Minds is doing with young adults to prepare them for the workplace. He also speaks about the importance of starting mentorship early and why mentoring should be encouraged in the workplace. 

Benjamin also speaks about his experience as a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur and the impact this has had on his organization and his career. 

Juliana Kagwa is the Director of Corporate Relations at Uganda Breweries Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo in Uganda. Juliana has had quite the career, having risen through the ranks at  Diageo, from a graduate trainee to her current role in management.  She has over 15 years' experience in marketing, strategy and innovation in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)  sector. More recently, Juliana has taken on the Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs function at Uganda Breweries Limited.

Juliana speaks about how a customer-centric approach has informed marketing strategies at Uganda Breweries Limited over the years,  the evolution of marketing throughout her career, the role that the digital age has played in enhancing marketing strategies and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Juliana also speaks about her favourite campaigns and innovations; from the Smirnoff Nightlife Experience to Uganda Waragi Pineapple; and gives excellent career tips for people who would want to follow a similar career path. 

Listen to a sneak peek of Season 2 of Viewpoints with Brenda. New episodes with our incredible guests will be dropping from 8 April 2022 onwards.  Do not forget to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @viewpointsbybn for updates. 

Happy listening!