One-on-One With MTN Uganda GM Sales and Distribution, Joseph Bogera

Eight months ago MTN Uganda appointed Joseph Bogera as their General Manager Sales and Distribution. Joseph a seasoned sales professional began his career with MTN Uganda as a Business Account Manager, moved to MTN Rwanda as a Corporate Sales Manager, and Uganda Breweries as a Divisional Sales Manager.

Joseph progressed to work as the Country Manager for Brightsarcorp Limited covering 11 countries including Zambia, Botswana, Mauritius, Kenya and DRC and more recently before returning to MTN Uganda, as General Manager — GOtv Uganda.

We caught up with Joseph to understand his role as GM — Sales and Distribution and his passion for success.

Describe your role as General Manager Sales and Distribution at MTN Uganda

First and foremost, I would like to say this has been a baptism of fire of sorts, soon after I was appointed in September 2019, we got hit by COVID-19. The subsequent lockdown narrowed our traditional operating space like never before but then opened new doors of opportunity that many people who only used internet in the office opened up to our services.

As GM, I lead a nationwide team of over 120 exceptionally talented Ugandans whose single focus is growing our customer base, ensuring we are delivering on our Customer promise and addressing their every need.

We have witnessed a migration from voice to data especially during the Lockdown how has this affected your strategy

My core responsibility as the head of MTN Uganda’s Sales and Distribution is to optimize resources as the company hits the course of Digital Distribution. For MTN the migration started well before COVID-19 under the Digital for Good’ initiative.

My focus now is spearheading key change initiatives through a robust Digital Distribution eco system which will create long lasting value for our Customers, Distributors, Agents, employees, and our country Uganda.

Is there room for growth in Uganda?

Incredible opportunity. Uganda has a low penetration of mobile handsets and smart phones, without a doubt there is a great opportunity for the telecom sector, especially with the big youthful population and hunger for information and entertainment.

With Digital Distribution, as a priority pillar our goal is to move towards a cashless and convenience in the palm of your hands and that is why we have to urgently address the affordability of handsets. Owning a smart phone should not be a privilege anymore.

What qualifies Joseph Bogera to this position what roles have shaped your journey?

I have built my career from being a foot soldier in diverse markets as well as working on diverse products. As the General Manager GOtv Uganda at Multichoice, I led the transformation of GOtv Uganda from a flat to profit making entity to a must have offer, through aggressive customer acquisition and retention whilst optimizing the limited resources. I led the launch of the Pearl Magic Channel that now leads in local content development.

On the telecom side I designed routes to market for Blackberry handsets across 11 ESA Countries, introduced Tecno handsets to Operators in Zambia, Botswana, Uganda and DRC as well as executing the distributor management role for Samsung, through robust demand planning and supply balancing while at Brightstarcorp.

In short I am Consistent, passionate and play to win.

Outside Sales and Distribution where do you get your energy?

My wife, kids and prayer. When I can I will be on the golf course to get much needed exercise and inspiration