Just a year after taking over as Airtel Uganda Managing Director Anwar Soussa has finally called it quits citing personal reasons.
It’s still unclear of where he is headed but Airtel Uganda has confirmed the departure and also added that he is headed for “an opportunity outside airtel”.
Soussa joined Airtel Uganda in June 2016 and under his leadership the telecom has won a number of accolades, including Best performing OpCo in Africa, Best OpCo in data growth and Best OpCo in distribution excellence at the 2017 Dubai Conclave.
“His departure comes as a result of a personal decision to take up a new and exciting opportunity outside Airtel,” says Airtel spokesperson, Faith Bugonzi.
Soussa will be replaced by VG Somasekhar who is currently serving as director Special Projects, Airtel Africa.
Somasekhar began his career in Modi Xerox and has held various responsibilities across the world in his eleven-year tenure.
His career highlights include running telecoms as business with end to end P&L responsibility.
He is especially remembered for leading Airtel Uganda from December 2010 to February 2014, during which period he oversaw the Airtel-Warid merger – the first telecom merger in Uganda and the most successful merger across Africa.
He further strengthened the brand through strategic partnerships.
He holds a graduate degree in Commerce from the University of Madras, Executive Education Program from Harvard Business School and Thunderbird University – Arizona.
Somasekhar is expected to continue enhancing the benefits of telecommunications services for individuals, businesses and communities in Uganda, according to Bugonzi.
