Centenary group appoints Peter Kahiigi as it ventures in ICT
Centenary group has appointed former National Information Technology Authority (NITA -U) director for eGovernment Services, Peter Kahiigi to head its newly created technology services arm, Cente- Tech, as the new Chief Technology Officer.
Kahiigi, who also serves as an expert consultant to the global centre for cybersecurity at the Oxford University in London, will now be tasked with leading the new Cente- Tech through the fast-growing competitive ICT industry in Uganda.
A statement released by the group indicates he will be expected to provide strategic leadership in the development of technologically innovative solutions for Cente-Tech’s clients.
“Peter has previously worked in the Government of Uganda’s ICT Sector where he was heralded for the nation’s incredible progress in the digitization effort. He was the cornerstone for the revival and expansion of the National fibre optic backbone, development and deepening of e-services. He is, therefore, a relevant addition to the group,” the statement said.
The group, which also owns Centenary Rural Development Bank (CERUDEB) and Centenary Foundation recently diversified into the tech space, to tap into the growing base of tec-survey customers.
According to the government, the ICT sector in Uganda is vibrant and dynamic and has now turned into an inevitable tool of socio-economic development.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicates the sector’s contribution to economic growth in terms of GDP stands at 6.5%, with more than 1 million people directly employed in the sector
Currently, Uganda has over 500 internationally certified ICT firms whose number, according to Dr Hatwib Mugasa, the executive director of NITA-U, is expected to grow bigger.
Dr Mugasa said although the numbers are currently low, the government is confident that as the economy grows, more firms will open for business.
According to the statement, the group is also considering venturing into the insurance business, fund management, property development and management as well expanding the Centenary banking brand outside Uganda.
Century Group’s Executive Chairperson, Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu said: “The key driving factors for the establishment of the Tech Company by Centenary group was to respond to the changing business environment and the strategies adopted by competitors to take advantage of innovative disruptions.”
He said as such, Cente-Tech will be a key enabler to the success of the Group’s strategy as it will provide the technological infrastructure for service delivery that is very critical to the operations of the Group and its subsidiaries.
Centenary Group was formed on July 1, 2020, from a reorganization of the 38-year-old Centenary Rural Development Bank Limited.
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