MTN Uganda has appointed Sylvia Elsheikh as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), a position she will assume effective July 14, 2025. Assuming the role, she replaces Somdev Sen, who has served the role with distinction and is taking on new responsibilities as the Chief Digital and Commercial Officer for MTN Rwanda.
“I am thrilled to return to the MTN family and excited to join MTN Uganda, a brand that stands tall for innovation, inclusion, and impact,” said Elsheikh. “I look forward to working with the talented team to continue delivering bold, relevant, and customer-focused marketing strategies that resonate with Uganda’s dynamic market.”
Elsheikh brings to MTN Uganda an impressive track record of over 18 years in the telecommunications and commercial sectors, with deep expertise in marketing strategy, customer acquisition, product innovation, and digital transformation.
She joins MTN Uganda from Airtel Zambia, where she has been serving as the Chief Marketing Officer. She has been instrumental in consolidating market leadership, achieving a value share of over 60%, and spearheading the rollout of the largest 5G network and LTE TDD Network in Zambia. Her leadership also saw the successful launch of VoLTE services, positioning Airtel as a technology leader in the Zambian market.
The MTN Uganda CEO, Sylvia Mulinge, welcomed the appointment, noting Elsheikh’s extensive regional experience, proven leadership, and passion for customer-centric marketing make her a valuable addition to our executive team. “We are confident she will play a key role in sustaining our market leadership and shaping the next phase of our growth,” she said.
Before her tenure at Airtel Zambia, Elsheikh held multiple strategic positions within MTN Sudan, including Chief Marketing Officer (2016–2022), Senior Manager – Segment Pricing & Acquisition (2015–2016), and Value-Added Services (VAS) Manager (2011–2014). Her early career includes roles in VAS and Core Network Planning at Sudani Telecom and Canar Telecom in Sudan.
Elsheikh’s combined technical and commercial acumen makes her uniquely positioned to drive MTN Uganda’s ambitious growth agenda, accelerate digital adoption, and deepen customer engagement across all segments.
