The League of East African Directors (LEAD) has announced that distinguished boardroom and governance expert, business advisor, executive coach, and leadership author Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno will serve as the keynote speaker at the LEAD Convention 2026, scheduled to take place on Thursday 30th April 2026 in Kampala Uganda.
Dr. Martin Oduor Otieno, who serves as a Business Advisor and Executive Coach at Leadership Group Limited, is widely respected across Africa and internationally for his transformative work in leadership development, organisational performance, and executive effectiveness in the banking and financial services sector.
Over the years, Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno has advised senior executives, boards, and institutions across multiple sectors, helping leaders navigate complexity, drive sustainable growth, and build high-performing organisations.
A renowned thought leader and accomplished author, Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno brings deep expertise in leadership psychology, strategy execution, and human-centered organisational transformation perspectives that are increasingly critical in today’s volatile and rapidly evolving business environment. His keynote address is expected to deliver powerful insights into how leaders can combine performance excellence with human connection to build resilient institutions.
In a major highlight of this year’s Convention, Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno will also officially launch his latest book, The Humanised Leader, a highly anticipated publication that explores the future of leadership through the lens of empathy, authenticity, and purpose-driven influence.
The book challenges traditional leadership paradigms and provides practical frameworks for leaders seeking to inspire performance while nurturing people and culture; drawing on Ubuntu, the African ethos of “I am because we are,” the book also shows how servant leadership and human-centered values create stronger, more resilient institutions.
In his own words, Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno, CBS, summarised his key note speech will be connected to his book, The Humanized Leader, that aims to deliver a bold people-first leadership manifesto that fuses African wisdom with proven corporate strategy.
“As I look forward to my return to a place I now call my second home, I look forward to meet all the business and corporate leaders in Kampala, Uganda. Real leadership is not about titles or power, but about uplifting people: building trust, empathy, and shared purpose. Let us meet and share more on this at the LEAD Convention 2026”, said Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno, CBS.
The League of East African Directors (LEAD) is a regional professional body dedicated to advancing leadership excellence, governance standards, and institutional effectiveness across East Africa through executive education, certification, research, and high-level convenings.
The LEAD Convention, their annual leadership flagship event, is recognised as one of the region’s premier governance and leadership platforms, bringing together an exceptional audience that includes Board Chairpersons and Non-Executive Directors, Chief Executive Officers and Senior Executives, Regulators and Policymakers, Investors and Financial Sector Leaders, Governance, Risk, and Strategy Professionals as well as Regional and International Thought Leaders.
Gertrude Wamala Karugaba, LEAD Chair, spoke highly of Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno’s participation at the LEAD Convention 2026, which is making a comeback after a one year hiatus.
“As the keynote speaker at the LEAD Convention 2026, Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno will significantly elevate the intellectual and professional value of this year’s annual gathering of executives; delegates will gain practical leadership insights applicable to boardrooms, executive leadership, institutional governance, and organisational transformation. We strongly believe that his presence reinforces LEAD Convention’s mission to strengthen leadership capacity as a driver of economic growth, institutional resilience, and sustainable development across East Africa”, said Gertrude Wamala Karugaba, who also serves as theChief Legal Officer, Equity Group Holdings Plc.
According to Mr. Trevor Ariho, LEAD CEO, the LEAD Convention 2026 will be a high-level convergence that will create a unique environment for knowledge exchange, strategic networking, and leadership development at the highest levels of decision-making.
“This year’s theme “Future Proofing Business: Risk, Resilience and Responsibility – Leading Through Uncertainity” brings together over 250 corporate and leadership executives who are grappling with a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous business environment. If you look at the uncertainties of global peace and a rising energy crisis internationally as well as a new political era in the country and the start of an oil boom, delegates will leave the convention better equipped to handle the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the modern business environment which is on their in-tray right now”, said Mr. Trevor Ariho, LEAD CEO and chief organiser of the LEAD Convention 2026.
The LEAD Convention will be held at the recently renovated Arirang Hotel, situated along Kyadondo Road, starting from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm. Over 90% of tickets have been sold out for the LEAD Convention 2026. The LEAD Convention 2026 is supported by Centenary Bank, New Vision, Stanbic Bank, Capital FM, Nation Media Group, Uganda Tourism Board, UNFPA, Hariss International, NSSF, VAAL Real Estate, COG EA Ltd, aBi Development Ltd, Smart, NCBA, Insperon Technologies, Kenbright and ATS Events.
