Cente Tech, a subsidiary of Centenary Group has announced the appointment of Steven Kirenga as their Head – Product & Business Development and Customer Experience. Following the appointment, Cente Tech’s CEO, Dr. Grace Ssekakubo says, Kirenga’s long history of leadership, coupled with his experience in integrated marketing, product & business development, and customer experience made him an ideal person for a related role at Cente-Tech.
A dedicated and results-driven solutions design and communications professional, Kirenga brings to Cente-Tech an interesting mix of extensive experience in Telecommunications, ICT services, Innovations, and Corporate communications. Dr. Ssekakubo said, “We look forward to working closely with Steven to deepen the use of technological and innovative business solutions for financial service delivery to improve standards of living among the poor while promoting environmental conservation.”
Cente Tech’s CTO, Mr. Peter Kahiigi welcomed Kirenga’s appointment who said, Kirenga has the right track record and breadth of business experience they believe is critical in Cente Tech —including the ability to forge major client relationships, a strong focus on leading with innovation, commitment to Centenary customers, core values, and a focus on delivering value to company’s ecosystem and the shareholders.
Kirenga has over fifteen (15) years of experience in the role, with a comprehensive background in product & solution design, strategy creation & execution, strategic communications management, consumer & business/enterprise marketing experience, customer experience management, corporate communications, public relations, digital and media development.
Prior to his appointment at Cente Tech, Kirenga worked at UNRA, where he was responsible for developing and implementing UNRA’s public affairs, communications & engagement strategies, engaging locally, regionally, and globally with all government and non-governmental stakeholders on all areas of roads & bridges construction and maintenance. Through the now popular campaign, #ConnectUg, Kirenga ensured that communications and marketing were critical in the success of the various projects the institution undertook to deliver on its promise, great roads, great experience.
Kirenga has also worked with MTN Uganda where he developed strategies and shaped the execution of key group wide programs that notably contributed to the MTN Group vision to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to customers —underpinned by the belief that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life.
During his work tenure there, a key primary area of focus was connecting the unconnected across the MTN Footprint in Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, Eswatini, and Kenya, working to break down barriers to connectivity for all people, and significantly increase digital inclusion. This included working with global corporate leaders and development organizations in addition to the internal experts that work in Africa’s biggest brand.
Kirenga, among the founders of the MTN Business Unit, is heralded for having played a significant role in growing MTN Business/Enterprise Business Unit into a market leader in the B2B segment of the telecom industry, by developing bespoke business solutions that made smaller businesses big and bigger businesses better.
Another key milestone that he undertook is the prestigious MTN Women In Business program, an initiative that celebrated the achievements of Ugandan women entrepreneurs who against all odds continue to excel in the predominantly male-dominated field of business.
Whilst in the Public Sector, Kirenga led the communication and marketing effort of the USD$85 million World Bank-funded Regional Communications Infrastructure Project. The project supported the Government of Uganda to lower prices for international capacity and extend the geographic reach of broadband networks, and improve the Government’s efficiency and transparency through e-government applications.
It is in the public sector that Steven Kirenga established a reputation as an ICT evangelist.
Early this year, Kirenga was appointed as General Secretary to the Taskforce on Government Communications & National Guidance (GCNC). The first of its kind in Uganda, the task force is working with the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology & National Guidance to ensure that government communications are consistent, relevant, and comprehensible.
Over his sterling career, Steven has worked both at the strategic level generating bold and innovative ideas for growth, while also being able to manage the tactical level – implementing and optimizing process, overseeing design, development, and execution.
Cente Tech is committed to using technology to sustainably progress the digital foundation of the connected world with a focus on the Centenary Group’s subsidiaries and its customers. Cente-Tech will play a key role in placing the Group subsidiary companies at the center of customers’ digital transformation and accelerate the Group’s digital agenda.
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