Viewpoints with Brenda

Pamela Birungi is a senior technology executive and the Senior Manager, Technology Strategy and Performance with the Zain Group,  a leading telecommunications group in the Middle East and Africa. Pamela has over 15 years of experience in managing and delivering assurance and transformative ICT solutions in telecommunications companies in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. At Zain, Pamela is responsible for developing the technology strategy and roadmap  and overseeing implementation of network performance systems and 5G service assurance systems across the Zain Group (comprising 7 countries in the Middle East and Africa).

Pamela speaks about the importance of 5G and the positive impact 5G will inevitably have on the African business landscape. She also discusses her career journey, what it means to be a black woman in STEM, how African girls can be encouraged to pursue careers in STEM, where she draws her creativity and the people who have had the biggest impact on her career. 

Miranda Kabatsi Muzoora is a lawyer, a skincare enthusiast and an influencer in her own right. Miranda is based in Uganda and practices with one of the premier law firms, Kampala Associated Advocates. At Kampala Associated Advocates, Miranda is an Associate in the Corporate & Finance Advisory department as well as the Energy department. Her Instagram page is @mimik_beauty, where she shares tips on skincare and beauty with thousands of followers.

Miranda speaks about balancing her regular 9-to-5 job with her content creation hobby, her passion for skincare,  what factors she takes into account as she curates and monetizes her content, and why it is important to acknowledge that humans are multifaceted and can have, and balance, several interests. Miranda also shares the biggest misconception about black skin. 

Ugandan industry experts Pamela Natamba (Partner and Head, Oil & Gas at PricewaterhouseCoopers Uganda) and Tony Otoa (Chief Executive at Stanbic Business Incubator Ltd) speak to Brenda about Uganda’s readiness for First Oil, in light of the recent signing of some of the agreements for the East African crude oil pipeline.


The discussion is quite expansive; ranging from how ready the Ugandan government players and Uganda's service sector are to how Ugandan businesses can position themselves to take advantage of the sector.  Tony and Pamela also discuss the commercial viability of the tariff to transport crude through the pipeline and fiscal responsibility for oil revenues.

Dr. Joanita Nattu is an M.D, board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist (with specific interest in cognitive behavioral therapy) currently based in Norway. 

Joanita speaks about incorporating wellness and self-care into our everyday routines in order to improve our mental health. She gives insights on how to seek out psychiatric care if needed, and suggestions for affordable interventions for psychiatric care from the government, employers generally, educational institutions and physicians in the private sector. 

Joanita also gives recommendations as to how child and adolescent psychiatric training and  care in African countries  can be improved. 

Geofrey Mutabazi is the Founder and CEO of ChargeKo Technologies, an electronic charging solutions company based in Uganda, and a Global Shaper with the World Economic Forum. Geofrey shares insights on the clean mobility industry in Africa and how Africa, being richly endowed with the minerals that drive the clean mobility space, can leverage its position to lead the global clean mobility race.  

Geoffrey also speaks about why a decentralized grid is the best way forward to improve access to energy in Africa. 

Mark Tinka is the Head of Engineering at SEACOM, Africa's pioneer ICT data infrastructure company. Mark speaks to Brenda about his illustrious journey shaping internet infrastructure across Africa and his love for afro-house music. We also chat about the future of work, internet governance & policy in Africa and harnessing the internet as a driver of economic development in Africa.