Portland Westside Networking
Our special guest speaker for June is Stephen Asiimwe, Managing Director and Editor in Chief of the East African Business Week, a regional business paper. (Listen)
Stephen is trained as a teacher, social scientist, journalist, media manager and has over 22 years of experience, having taught in a couple of schools but most of his career has been with with some of Uganda/ East Africa’s media house, The New Vision (www.newvision.co.ug). Starting off at a very junior role of free lance reporter/proof reader, he rose to the rank of Deputy Business Editor (1994 – 2003). Because of his ambition, creativity and innovation, he was taken on by the American Procurement Company (AMPROC) to start the East African Procurement News (2003– 2005) (www.procnews.com). He was later to start his own paper, together with his colleagues, the East African Business Week (May 2005 to-date) that has a regional outfit that includes Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi (www.busiweek.com). A team player with strong leadership skills, he has led over 200 loyal and well-motivated team managers, marketers, journalists, accountants, distribution and circulation men and women into what is the only and first full-fledged business paper in the region. As a matter of personal interest, Stephen loves the Lord and ministry and is involved in a couple of Marketplace Evangelistic enterprises and loves to equip business leaders with knowledge and skills of business enterprise, integrity and leadership. He is currently a facilitator with the Haggai Institute of Leadership and also keeps abreast of developments in the global business and investment industry. On the regional and international scene, Stephen has networked with senior government leaders, business people, policy makers, media experts and owners, through interaction, training and participation in conferences, and membership of international organizations. He has gained a good understanding of various economies and cultures through work, travel and training engagements in various countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Nigeria, Benin, the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, USA, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and China.
- As a result of his experience and contribution in journalism and particularly founding and heading the East African Business Week, he was awarded anHonorary Doctorate of Letters given to top scholars and journalists by the United Graduate College and Seminary (Tennessee, USA), in December 2008. This prestigious award was given to him for leading a Christ-centered media outlet that brings honour and positive exposure to Africa.
- Stephen is also involved in ministry and is a church elder at the Covenant Nations Church in Kampala, the country’s capital. The ministry’s vision is to reach the nation sof Africa with the Gospel of Christ and to make disciples of nations.
- His vision is to inspire and bring the best out of mankind that they may fulfill their destiny and take their place as God ordained it.
- In 1997 Stephen married a beautiful lady, Molly and together have two boys, Shaba (11) and Shiloh (9). Stephen and Molly have been married for the last 14 years.
- He is the first born in a family of seven children, six are alive while his younger brother David, went to be with the Lord in 2007.
This meeting is designed for networking, wherein you will be invited to introduce yourself & your business or organization during the meeting, as well as meet with other guests & members before & after the meeting. There will also be a short presentation regarding the Chamber, as well as this special guest speaker in regards to a topic designed to help you Connect, Learn, Grow, Save &/or Engage with your community.
