More than 300 business leaders, policymakers, and governance experts from East Africa and beyond gathered in Kampala for the LEAD Convention 2026, where discussions centred on strengthening corporate governance, risk management, and institutional resilience amid growing global uncertainty.
The convention, organised by the League of East African Directors (LEAD), brought together board chairpersons, corporate executives, regulators, investors, and public sector leaders under the theme “Future-Proofing Business: Risk, Resilience and Responsibility—Leading Through Uncertainty.”
Organisers said the gathering comes at a time when institutions are grappling with geopolitical tensions, rapid technological disruption, climate-related risks, financial volatility, and shifting regulatory environments that are reshaping how organisations are governed.
LEAD Chief Executive Officer Trevor Ariho said the growing participation reflected increasing awareness of the need for structured governance systems in the region.
“LEAD was never meant to be confined within the borders of Uganda. We have grown our membership by 47 percent, not as a statistic, but as a signal that leaders across Uganda and the region are awakening to the urgency of structured governance, ethical leadership, and boardroom excellence,” Ariho said.
The convention focused on improving boardroom capacity in risk governance, strengthening strategic foresight, promoting ethical leadership, and enhancing institutional resilience across both public and private sectors.
It also featured discussions on digital disruption, cyber resilience, emerging systemic risks, and governance challenges in state-owned enterprises, with participants calling for a shift from reactive to anticipatory governance models.
Gertrude Karugaba, Chairperson of LEAD, said governance must be treated as a responsibility with direct impact on society.
“This room is full of leaders who understand that governance is not a commodity. It is a responsibility that carries weight in the lives of real people,” she said.
She emphasised the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between boards and management, noting that oversight should focus on strategy and accountability rather than operational control.
“The boundaries between board and management matter most. Our role is to set the strategic direction, determine the risk appetite, and hold management accountable,” she said.
Martin Odur Otieno, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Leadership Group Ltd, urged leaders to adopt more human-centred governance approaches.
“The ultimate hedge against volatility and uncertainty is not a more complex algorithm. It is a leadership philosophy rooted in empathy, trust, and the restoration of human dignity at the centre of governance,” he said.
The convention concluded with a regional governance communiqué outlining shared priorities on institutional strengthening, policy alignment, and improved collaboration between public and private sector actors.
LEAD said the outcomes are intended to enhance governance standards, strengthen investor confidence, and support sustainable economic transformation across East Africa.