Stephen Asiimwe: From Newspaper Boy to PSFU CEO, Curiosity Drives Leadership

Stephen Asiimwe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), traces his professional journey back to his childhood fascination with newspapers. As a boy, he was captivated by the images and stories within, transforming into the “storyteller in class,” a role that foreshadowed his future in communication and leadership.

His upbringing, marked by frequent family relocations due to his father’s banking career, exposed him to diverse cultures across Uganda. This early immersion, coupled with a formative experience living in his village, instilled in him a deep appreciation for heritage and a broader understanding of societal dynamics.

Asiimwe’s career path has been as varied as his early interests, spanning journalism, research, tourism, and regional business engagement. He began his professional life as a proofreader at The New Vision, a role that honed his attention to detail and laid the groundwork for his ability to monetize skills beyond conventional academic paths. This experience, he notes, is crucial for today’s youth facing a dynamic job market.

At PSFU, an organization representing Uganda’s diverse private sector, Asiimwe views his role as that of a leader, fostering an environment where businesses can thrive. He advocates for a broad definition of a “job” as any productive activity that provides income and contributes to economic growth. His leadership philosophy is anchored in the “three Es”: experience, expertise, and exposure, emphasizing continuous learning and encouraging his team to grow.

He openly shares lessons learned from business failures, including financial losses and misplaced trust, which taught him the critical importance of due diligence, patience, and calculated risk-taking. Asiimwe draws parallels between his personal financial philosophy, “money should make money,” and his approach to leadership, believing in investing in people and opportunities for future returns.

Family, including his parents’ guidance and his own experience as a father, has profoundly shaped his values. He now finds solace and inspiration in farming and remains a devoted newspaper reader, a habit from his youth that continues to fuel his curiosity and inform his understanding of the world. His journey underscores the enduring power of curiosity in navigating a complex and ever-evolving professional landscape.

Read more at: https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/lifestyle/reviews-profiles/i-opt-to-see-myself-as-a-leader-rather-than-boss-says-psfu-boss-stephen-asiimwe-5558724