Kirunda Magoola has been appointed Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca Cola Beverages Africa (Uganda) replacing Simon Kaheru who was appointed Group Head of Public Policy and Partnership as of 01 April 2022.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) is the largest African Coca-Cola bottler, accounting for 40% of all Coca-Cola volumes on the continent. In Uganda, CCBA is represented b Century Bottling Company Limited and Rwenzori Bottling Company Limited.
A position that has been vyed for by many, his key role will be to design and oversee the implementation of a Public Affairs and Communications strategy for the Ugandan market, a plan which directly supports the commercial objectives of the local market, covering media relations, industry affairs, corporate and sustainability, accountability, and internal and external communications.
Kirunda is an international senior leadership and management executive with over 20 years’ technical and executive-level experience and exposure across over 3 countries. He has developed strong relationships with governments, trade, investment, and financial services actors at international, regional, and national levels.
He has engaged with boards, is a member of several boards and draws from this exposure and experience to provide value-adding services to clients.
Recently, Kirunda was involved in the expansion of BAT activities in Rwanda and Uganda as a Chief Executive Officer for Uganda and Rwanda. Gained extensive expertise in managing (or advising on) budgets, people, and strategy for FMCG business in a Multinational Corporation, Public Corporations, business membership organizations and donor funded Programs.
Throughout his career, Kirunda has excelled in identifying, recruiting, training, and mentoring highly successful managers and executives, and led corporate teams in Uganda and Rwanda. He has managed over 900 staff across different functions from executive to front-line staff in different roles with Ultimate Security Limited, Kinyara Sugar Works, UMEME Limited and BAT Uganda.
Furthermore, he has facilitated cross-category industry partnerships with Uganda Breweries Limited, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Unilever and Coca-Cola, Private Sector Foundation – Uganda in Uganda engaging Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Uganda Revenue Authority and Kenya Revenue Authority on regional illicit trade.
Kirunda Magoola is a graduate of Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting from Bhopal University, Barkatullah Vishwaviyalaya, India and currently pursuing Master of science – Accounting and Finance from Makerere University Business School.
In a statement dated May 11, 2022 signed off by Elly Karuhanga, the Board Chairperson and Nicholas Ecimu, the Company Secretary, BAT Uganda said Magoola’s extensive leadership and senior-level experience helped to marshal the Company through a challenging macro-economic period resultant of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Company remains resilient, enabling continuity of its strategic plan to drive growth and deliver sustained value for its shareholders. Mr. Magoola leaves BAT Uganda in a strong position, well poised to deliver on its ambition to build A Better Tomorrow for its stakeholders,” the Company said.
Consequently, the Board has announced the appointment of Mathu Kiunjuri as Managing Director and Executive Board Member effective 12 May 2022. Kiunjuri is not new to BAT Uganda. He previously served as BAT Uganda Managing Director until 2020, having been appointed to the same position in 2017.