Marketers society advocates for environmental framework integration in businesses

By Bridget Nsimenta

The Uganda Marketers Society (UMS) has introduced the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework as a crucial element for both sustainability and commercialisation.

This initiative was highlighted during the UMS Ignite session that happened on Friday, August 2 at Next Media rooftop aiming at navigating the ESG landscape in Uganda.

The UMS Ignite session highlighted the necessity for ESG in Businesses by marketers, to ensure efficient operations and ethical business practices.

To achieve this, the marketing strategy must be hinged on the ESG strategy as stated by Cathy Adengo, head of sustainability at Stanbic Bank Uganda.

More so for the success of ESG in Uganda, integrity, commitment, and discipline, by marketers are very profound as stressed by Dison Bosco Okumu, CEO of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda

ESG is about caring for the environment. Speaking to this, Dison Okumu during a panel discussion, emphasized the importance of ESG in his address.

"Everything we see around us is not from our fathers but rather a loan for our children. It's our responsibility to conserve it for the future," he said.

Charity Kamusime, president of UMS, stressed the vital role of environmental conservation for both our existence and business success.

"We are not in existence without the green, the food that feeds us , the water that we drink, the hospitals we go to and the clean spaces we serve," Kamusime said.

"All that Marketers need to is to support the environmental spaces."

To achieve all this, James Okello, managing partner at HLB Jim Roberts, provided practical insights on enhancing ESG and sustainability starting from daily life practices including, reusing, recycling and reducing waste.

This can be done directly in our homes as well as well work place.

This aligns with the broader view that ESG is not just a corporate mandate but can be implemented in domestic settings by individuals.

Mr Ben Mwine, head of radios at Next Media, made a presentation that aligned with the ESG framework.

He highlighted the importance of branding, reporting, and marketing, with a particular emphasis on environmental conservation efforts.

He explained the "Taasa Obutonde" campaign, which aims to plant more trees and protect the environment.

Mr Mwine emphasised the need for financial partners to support these tree-planting efforts, urging marketers to join the cause for a sustainable Uganda.

The power marketing has in all this is the power to influence, inform, and shape narratives.

All organizations should design organizational structures to support the ESG framework, include ESG in their budgets, making sustainability a core focus for businesses.