Yvonne Mpanga – The visionary powering uganda’s business transformation movement
Since conceiving the Business Trendsetters’ idea in October 2017, Mpanga has nurtured it from a simple networking initiative into a transformative platform for business excellence, innovation, and mentorship.
In the heart of Uganda’s rapidly evolving business landscape stands a woman whose mission transcends profit margins and boardroom politics. Yvonne Mpanga, founder of the Business Trendsetters’ Forum & Awards, is a trailblazer redefining how innovation, sustainability, and leadership intersect in the 21st century.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
Since conceiving the Business Trendsetters’ idea in October 2017, Mpanga has nurtured it from a simple networking initiative into a transformative platform for business excellence, innovation, and mentorship. The Forum is not just an annual gathering but a movement—bringing together CEOs, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and innovators committed to building enterprises that are trend-setting, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious.
From the first modest Trendsetters’ cocktail in 2020 to the dynamic Expos and Awards Galas introduced in 2022, Mpanga has steered the platform through highs and hurdles with steadfast resilience and a values-driven approach.
Championing Innovation with a Conscience
At the heart of Mpanga’s leadership is her belief that business should be both innovative and impact-driven. Under her guidance, the Forum annually explores themes that challenge conventional thinking. The 2025 theme—“Innovations with Hyper Business Intelligence and Environmental Social Governance (ESG)”—reflects her bold vision.
“Are we intelligent enough to manipulate big data and act with speed—hyperactively—without losing ethical governance or distorting the environment?” she asks, urging business leaders to embrace AI and digital tools responsibly.
For Mpanga, hyper business intelligence is not just about technology—it’s about using tools like AI and big data to drive disruption with purpose, scale solutions with sustainability, and lead change without compromising values.
Creating a Stage for Change Agents
Mpanga’s Forum recognizes Business Trends Pacesetters—remarkable individuals whose innovation and leadership are shaping Uganda’s future. In 2025, these include:
- Joanita Mukasa Menya, the first female managing director at Vivo Energy Uganda
- Eng. Joseph Kitamirike, founder of the Altx exchange platform
- Dr. Abraham Nalwebe, a mediator, pastor, and former technician symbolizing occupational resilience
- Racheal Higgins, founder of Because of Marketing
By showcasing such diverse figures, Mpanga celebrates Uganda’s multifaceted entrepreneurial spirit and sets a new standard for leadership—one that values adaptability, integrity, and inclusivity.
A Forum with Lasting Impact
Over the years, the Business Trendsetters’ platform has done more than host events. It has launched businesses, forged powerful partnerships, and sparked innovation. According to Mpanga, many participants have gained exposure, clients, and funding through their involvement.
She has built a community where mentorship thrives, ideas are born, and bold dreams become tangible solutions. Through the Forum, companies like Jena Herbals, Africanbooks.com, and Youth Startup Academy have been recognized for their impact.
What Drives Her
Mpanga’s leadership philosophy is grounded in value centrality, accountability, and visionary ambition. She believes in leading with purpose, creating platforms that inspire others, and ensuring that the next generation of business leaders are equipped not just with skills but with clarity of vision and conscience.
Her goal? To see Ugandan businesses rise on a foundation of innovation, ESG, and legacy—not just profitability.
Looking Ahead: The 6th Edition of the Forum
The upcoming 6th Business Trendsetters’ Forum & Awards Gala on Thursday, 31st July 2025, at Sheraton Kampala will be the most ambitious yet. Featuring pacesetter speeches, trend exhibitions, seed capital pitch competitions, and musical performances by artists like Kenneth Mugabi, the event promises to be a celebration of Uganda’s brightest business minds.
Mpanga invites the public to attend (UGX 250,000) or exhibit (UGX 500,000), urging participation from forward-thinking enterprises ready to embrace the 3Ts standard: Trendy, Transferable, and Transcendent.
“Let’s build legacies, one trendsetting story at a time,” Mpanga affirms.
Yvonne Mpanga is more than a founder—she is a visionary architect of Uganda’s business transformation. With every Forum, she raises the bar for what leadership, innovation, and impact should look like in Africa and beyond.
