New C-suite leadership program to prepare managers for top-level roles

The term C-suite may seem alien to an ordinary person but it is a growing phenomenon in the corporate world in recent years.

Also known as the executive suite, C-suite refers to the group of top-level executives within an organization whose job titles typically begin with the word ‘chief.’ These are the most senior leaders in an organization, responsible for setting the strategic direction and making key decisions that drive it forward.

Last Saturday, several leading executives gathered to launch the ninth cohort of mentees of the C-suite leadership program in Kampala at the Protea Skyz hotel. It is a three-month leadership development program designed to equip high-potential middle managers with the strategic insight, executive presence and leadership capacity required to excel in executive roles.

At the event, Mourad Amokrane, the Algerian ambassador to Uganda, shared how leadership shapes the destiny of nations, institutions and people.

“This program is timely and visionary. It recognizes what many overlook – that the future of leadership lies not only in boardrooms or political offices, but in the capable hands of mid-level professionals who are ready to rise. I commend the founders for creating a platform that nurtures executive potential, fosters strategic thinking, and embraces mentorship. These are not just tools for individual growth; they are the building blocks of stronger organizations and more resilient economies across Africa,” he said.

“Algeria, like many of our sister nations, believes in the power of shared leadership, inclusion and regional collaboration. I see in this initiative the promise of a continent led by bold, ethical and visionary leaders. To all future fellows of Journey to the C-Suite; your time is now. Step forward with confidence. The world is watching, and Africa is rising.”

Meanwhile, Janet Navvuga Bugembe, the founder and CEO of Journey to the C-Suite (JTC), said it is a movement that seeks to elevate leadership, redefine ambition and empower the next generation of transformative executives.

“The journey to this moment has been paved by purpose. Journey to the C-Suite is born out of the success and spirit of its sister brand, Journey to the Boardroom (JTB), a program we launched to prepare the next generation of corporate leaders and boardroom influencers. In that journey, we discovered something profound: many mid-career professionals were not just aspiring to sit on boards, they were ready to step into executive leadership, if only they were equipped with the right tools, the right mindset and the right mentors,” she said.

“And so, Journey to the C-Suite was born, not as a replacement, but as a necessary complement. If the boardroom is where vision is governed, the C-suite is where vision is born. Our mission is clear: to equip high-potential middle managers with the strategic insight, executive presence and leadership capacity required to thrive at the very top. Through immersive learning, rigorous case studies, and the unparalleled power of mentorship, we aim to shape leaders who don’t just manage departments, but who shape industries.”

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