KAMPALA – Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Manoj Murali, is set to retire this month after four years of leading the company to remarkable growth and success. His tenure, which began in October 2020, has been marked by significant achievements in Uganda’s telecommunications sector.
Under Manoj’s leadership, Airtel Uganda experienced impressive revenue growth, with a compounded annual average of 8.3% from UGX1.296 trillion in 2020 to UGX1.784 trillion by the end of 2023. This growth trajectory demonstrates his strategic vision and ability to navigate the competitive Ugandan market.
Similarly, net profit grew at a compounded annual average rate of 10.8% from UGX197 billion in 2020 to UGX297 billion in 2023. This financial performance underscores Manoj’s effective management and commitment to delivering value to stakeholders.
In the six months leading up to June 2024, Airtel Uganda’s overall revenue continued to grow, increasing by 11.6% from UGX865.4 billion to UGX966.1 billion. Although net profit decreased by 6.5% from UGX164 billion to UGX153.2 billion during the same period, Manoj’s overall legacy remains one of significant progress.
Manoj submitted his resignation in July 2024 and has been serving his three-month notice since then. As he prepares to pass the baton, Ashish Dutt, the newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer, will hold the fort in November. Thereafter, Soumendra Sahu will take over as Managing Director on December 1, 2024.
Soumendra brings over 23 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, having worked with notable companies such as Tata Docomo, Reliance Communications, and Asian Paints. Most recently, he served as CEO at Bharti Airtel, Gujarat Circle in India, where he honed his leadership skills and developed a deep understanding of the telecommunications sector.
As Soumendra prepares to lead Airtel Uganda, his wealth of experience and industry expertise position him well to build on Manoj’s successes and propel the company toward further growth and innovation.