As Uganda’s media, corporate, and government communication landscape grows more complex, a select group of professionals continues to drive reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and public messaging. Here is Watchdog Uganda’s look at the leading communications practitioners currently influencing the sector.
1. Henry Rugamba (Songa Communications)
A veteran with over three decades in the field, Rugamba is widely regarded as the statesman of Ugandan PR. A past PRAU President and former Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association, he currently serves as Managing Partner at Songa Communications and Board Chair of Equity Bank Uganda.
2. Faruk Kirunda (State House)
Special Presidential Assistant for Press & Mobilisation and Deputy Press Secretary to the President, Kirunda has long been a central figure in State House communications and grassroots mobilisation. He regularly articulates government positions, counters narratives, and bridges the gap between leadership and the public through consistent media engagement.
3. Kenneth Agutamba (Stanbic Bank Uganda)
Country Manager for Reputation and Corporate Communication at Stanbic Bank Uganda, Agutamba was named among Africa’s Top 100 Corporate Communication Leaders in 2026. He chairs the Uganda Bankers Association’s Peer Committee on Marketing and Communication and is known for human-centred financial storytelling.
4. Irene Nakasiita (PRAU / Uganda Red Cross Society)
President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda and Director of Communications, Resource Mobilisation and Strategic Partnerships at the Uganda Red Cross Society. She is steering PRAU’s 50th anniversary activities and efforts to professionalise the industry, including advocacy for the Practitioners’ Bill.
5. John Chihi (Media Age PR EA)
Co-founder, Managing Director and Lead Consultant at Media Age PR, Chihi is often described as a quiet architect of modern PR agencies in Uganda. He has helped shift public relations from a support function to a core strategic pillar for major brands.
6. Ian Rumanyika (Node Group Consult)
CEO of Node Group, which was named PRAU PR Agency of the Year in 2025. Rumanyika is an award-winning strategist known for the PR Fundi masterclasses and expertise in change management across public and private institutions.
7. Sarah Kagingo (SoftPower)
Founder of SoftPower and former PRAU President. She received the PRAU Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025 for her long-standing contributions to elevating the profession, including earlier work in presidential communications.
8. Joseph Kanyamunyu (Publics Africa Communications)
Managing Director of Publics Africa Communications and National Chairman of Brand Africa (Uganda). He works at the intersection of brand management, public affairs, and the growing creator economy.
9. Jackie Tahakanizibwa (Uganda Baati)
Head of External and Corporate Affairs at Uganda Baati. Previously in corporate relations, policy and regulatory affairs at Uganda Breweries and Programmes Director at PRAU. She was recognised among the Top 10 Women in PR in Uganda by Africa PR Week.
10. Jonan Kiiza (Uganda National Council for Science and Technology)
Head of Communications and Spokesperson at UNCST. He previously served as Head of Corporate and Stakeholder Affairs at UEDCL, where he managed high-visibility public communications during the electricity distribution transition.
11. Allan Ssempebwa Kyobe (Ministry of Health)
Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health. A Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (CIPR), he previously handled communications at the Ministry of Works and Transport and UNRA, earning recognition for direct public engagement on infrastructure issues.
12. Emmanuel Ainebyoona (Ministry of Works and Transport)
Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, recently transferred from the Ministry of Health. A CIPR-qualified communicator and former Daily Monitor health reporter, he is a familiar public voice on sectoral issues.
13. Sheila Nduhukire (National Medical Stores)
Principal Public Relations Officer at National Medical Stores. A former senior news anchor at NTV Uganda and NBS Television with a Master’s in International Public Relations from Cardiff University, she leads media relations and public engagement on health commodity supply.
14. Simon Peter Kasyate (Pedigree Quest Strategies)
A versatile strategist with experience spanning journalism, tourism and corporate affairs. He runs Pedigree Quest Strategies, which trains senior public figures and provides specialised communications support.
15. Samuel Apedel (National Water & Sewerage Corporation)
Long-serving communications lead at NWSC who has helped position the utility as a model of transparent public communication, including ESG and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
16. Sooma Mukyala Fouziya (Huawei Technologies Uganda)
Public Relations Manager at Huawei Technologies Uganda. She handles corporate communications and stakeholder engagement around ICT, digital inclusion and technology partnerships.
17. Steven Kirenga (Cente Tech)
Communications and marketing professional with prior senior roles at UNRA, MTN Uganda and NITA-U. He also served as General Secretary to a Taskforce on Government Communications and currently leads product, business development and customer experience at Centenary Technology Services.
18. Tina Wamala
Former PRAU President (President Emeritus) credited with strengthening professional standards during her tenure. She has a strong background in strategic communications.
19. Muhereza Kyamutetera (CEO East Africa Magazine)
Founder and CEO of CEO East Africa Magazine. A corporate brand strategist and executive profiler who shapes industry narratives through publishing and thought leadership.
20. Vianney Mpungu Luggya (Uganda Civil Aviation Authority)
Communications lead at UCAA, responsible for managing high-stakes aviation narratives, including those around Entebbe International Airport expansion and safety.
This list is based on publicly visible leadership roles, industry recognition, institutional impact and professional track records as of October 2026. The communications field remains dynamic, with many other capable practitioners contributing across government, corporate, agency and development sectors.
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