The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was a life-changing book for Ronald Businge, CFO at American Tower Uganda. Its themes of pursuing one’s dreams and the importance of the journey resonated deeply with him, inspiring him to take bold steps in his career and personal life on the road to success.
“Professionally, I define success as achieving goals that contribute to the growth and stability of the organisation while fostering a positive and productive work environment. Personally, success means maintaining a healthy work-life balance, nurturing good relationships, and continuously learning and growing,” he says.
Ronald admits that he has not always had the right answers to every scenario. If he could go back in time, he would tell his younger self to embrace change and not be afraid of taking risks. He would focus more on building a diverse skill set early on and seek out mentors who could provide guidance and support throughout his career.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of his career, Ronald points to his tangible impact and the challenges of the recent pandemic.
“The highs of my career have been the moments when I’ve seen my impact in the workplace, such as successfully leading the transition, merger and integration of Eaton with ATC Uganda. Consistently beating the budget despite challenging macroeconomic factors is another highlight. The lows, on the other hand, have often been tied to inevitable challenges and setbacks, such as navigating the Covid-19 period and making tough business decisions that affect people’s lives,” Ronald shares.
Staying connected
The pandemic also taught Ronald valuable lessons about relationships and the importance of staying connected with loved ones. He finds joy in simple things and has learned to appreciate his job and company, especially since employees were able to continue receiving salaries despite the challenges.
“As a CFO, I manage a team of 20 people. My management style is collaborative and inclusive. I believe in empowering the team, encouraging open communication, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement,” he explains.
Ronald has been in his current CFO position since July 2022. In this role, he oversees the company’s financial operations and strategic financial planning. Prior to his promotion, he held key positions, including financial reporting manager from November 2017 to July 2022, and senior accountant: financial reporting, from June 2015 to October 2017.
Before joining American Tower, Ronald held significant positions at Uganda Clays and British American Tobacco. As senior financial accountant at Uganda Clays from June 2013 to May 2015, he was responsible for managing accounts payable, receivable, fixed assets and financial reporting. Prior to that, he worked at British American Tobacco as treasury, risk, and tax accountant from June 2010 to June 2013, where he managed cash flow, tax matters, risk and the company’s pension scheme. His career began at MTN as a customer advisor in 2009.
Ronald’s trajectory stems from humble beginnings, as he walked long distances to primary school. He initially considered a career in engineering but was influenced by his uncle, a then-commissioner in Uganda’s finance ministry, to switch to accounting.
Outside of work, Ronald enjoys watching football, catching up with friends, and staying close with family.
“I was actually nicknamed Ashley Cole in high school because of my early fascination with the sport. I played the same left-back position as the Arsenal and Chelsea legend,” he reveals.
