Is Stuart Birungi the Crown Prince to the Movit Personal Care Empire?

In January 2025, Stuart Birungi was officially appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Movit Group. His elevation to the role, after over a decade of service across Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, has reignited industry speculation: Is Stuart the designated successor to his father, Movit’s founder and Executive Chairman, Simpson Birungi?

As the company enters a new phase of regional expansion — a new large plant is in the works in Tanzania— and operational transformation, all eyes are on the younger Birungi—not just because of his surname, but because of his growing executive influence at the very heart of one of Uganda’s most successful indigenous enterprises.

Groomed from Within

Educated at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Stuart Birungi has spent more than 11 years at Movit Group, working his way up from Sourcing Specialist and Projects Manager to Head of Operations Strategy. In January 2021, he was appointed Head of Operations & Supply Chain, a role he held for three years, before taking up the position of Country Business Manager for Tanzania in early 2024.

His current appointment as COO in January 2025 places him in a critical role within the Group,  just as the company prepares to launch a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Tanzania.

“Simpson is being deliberate,” a source close to the family noted. “He has surrounded Stuart with seasoned professionals—not just to support him, but to sharpen him.”

Indeed, the company’s current leadership team includes heavyweights like Group CEO Stephen Mwesigwa, Chief People & Culture Officer Nasser Munyagwa, and International CCO Isaac Kaweesa Sekasi. With this team around him, Stuart is not just being groomed—he’s being forged.

Leading Across Borders

Stuart’s on-ground leadership in Tanzania and Zambia has offered him critical exposure to regional complexities. In a recent post on his LinkedIn page, he reflected:

“The expansion of Movit Products Limited into other African markets has provided me with invaluable lessons in leadership, particularly in managing multi-country operations. Different countries come with their unique regulatory environments, cultural differences, and consumer preferences, which require different unique approaches.”

“We have built strong local partnerships to align our operations with the company’s goals, and ensure that operations in every country contribute to our vision. I believe that collaboration is key to achieving the best results, and creating an environment where everyone is empowered to contribute to the satisfaction of our customers.”

These remarks reflect a strategic mindset in sync with the broader vision of Movit Group as it cements its pan-African footprint.

Learning to Lead

To further build his leadership acumen, Stuart recently enrolled in the CEO Apprenticeship Program 2025 by CEO Summit Uganda. The program is designed to prepare senior executives for CEO and board-level roles through mentorship, case studies, and interaction with seasoned African business leaders.

The program, which has already produced over 200 top executives across the continent, represents a deliberate move on Stuart’s part to acquire broader, cross-functional leadership insights.

He is no doubt preparing himself for the big thing.  

Succession in Sight?

Movit has not made any official announcement about succession. Yet, Stuart’s strategic placements and developmental trajectory speak volumes. His current COO role encompasses all the moving parts of the business—from logistics and manufacturing to performance and country operations.

In many ways, it mirrors the path taken by successors in other family-owned conglomerates across Africa: deep immersion in operations, exposure to regional markets, and gradual alignment with top governance structures.

With Simpson Birungi increasingly focusing on board-level oversight and legacy consolidation, many believe the writing is on the wall. 

It will more likely be a question of when than if. What is clear is that his journey is no longer one of quiet preparation. It is now one of visible leadership.

The months ahead—particularly the success of the Tanzanian plant, operational stability across the Group, and his leadership chemistry with the current executive team—will shape whether he steps into the crown, or continues serving the kingdom from just beneath the throne.

Either way, a legacy is in motion—and Stuart Birungi is firmly at its center.