Africa-Press – Uganda. The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) Uganda, in partnership with KPMG Uganda, has announced the 15th Annual Directors and Company Secretaries Conference scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.
The blended one-day conference will bring together high-profile and respected business leaders, entrepreneurs, and mentors from various sectors to share practical insights on emerging corporate challenges, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors, talent management, and cybersecurity.
Held under the theme, “Corporate Governance: The Bridge to Artificial Intelligence,” the conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
While launching the conference at KPMG offices at Rwenzori Courts in Kampala, Jane Okot P’Bitek Langoya, Chairperson of ICSA Uganda – East Africa Region, said the event is designed to address critical issues facing today’s business leaders.
“This conference brings together boards, senior management from public organisations, government, the private sector, large corporations, SMEs and NGOs. It creates a platform for leadership to discuss the issues that keep board members and CEOs awake at night, and to learn from one another’s experiences,” Langoya said.
She noted that Artificial Intelligence and sustainability are central to current corporate challenges.
“The issues that keep board members, CEOs and heads of departments awake today include ESG—environmental, social and governance matters—as well as artificial intelligence. That is why this conference is linking ESG and AI to corporate governance,” she explained.
Langoya emphasized that strong governance remains the foundation of sustainable business growth.
“Corporate governance requires organisations to foster an ethical culture and ensure they are doing the right thing so they can grow sustainably,” she added.
KPMG Africa Associate Director Benson Mwesigwa said corporate governance is critical to business survival and long-term success.
“Corporate governance is at the heart of everything we do. Without strategic direction and effective oversight, a business cannot succeed,” Mwesigwa said.
He revealed that the 2025 KPMG CEO Outlook Survey identified four major forces shaping corporate strategy: generative AI, talent, ESG, and cybersecurity.
“These are the key issues influencing the strategic decisions of CEOs,” he said.
Mwesigwa added that businesses must quickly adapt to the digital era.
“We are living in a digital world where you can transact with your bank, pay school fees, and make purchases from anywhere. Much of this is enabled by AI and technology,” he said.
On sustainability, he emphasized that companies continue to invest heavily in ESG principles.
“Doing business sustainably requires attention to environmental, social and governance factors. Governance oversees the environmental and social components. Even a single tweet can severely damage a business if it is engaged in unethical practices,” he noted.
From the Bank of Uganda, Yedidah Nyakato underscored the importance of corporate governance to the central bank’s mandate.
“Corporate governance is central to the Bank of Uganda. We hold it in high regard because without getting governance right, it becomes very difficult to fulfil our mandate,” Nyakato said.
She added that emerging technologies make strong governance frameworks even more essential.
“There are drivers such as artificial intelligence that we cannot ignore. That is why it is important to support such initiatives,” she said.
Josephine Okui Ossiya, Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Authority will be the chief guest while the keynote address will be delivered by Patrick Ayota, Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund.
An international perspective will be provided by Linda Ford, Chief Executive Officer of ICSA headquarters in the United Kingdom, who will speak on responsible AI governance in practice and share international lessons from emerging governance systems.
Participation fees are set at Shs250,000 for physical attendance, Shs150,000 for online participation, Shs2.5 million for corporate tables, and Shs400,000 for exhibitors.
