-
As the year comes to and end with 15 days left, TRUMPETNEWS has sought to recognize twenty Ugandans who have played a fundamental role in changing lives in our society.
We evaluated these personalities by looking at their positive impact on both on social media and in the mainstream media.
Here is who made it on this year’s unranked list:
Yoweri Museveni
He is the President of Uganda. He has been in leadership for 33 years. President Museveni led a struggle in 1980 to liberate the nation and in 1986 took power causing a fundamental change. He has been reelected by majority of Ugandans who appreciate his efforts to restore peace and prosperity for all. In his leadership a lot more has been done including changing lives of the people by allowing them freedom to exercise their rights which has impacted positively their wellbeing.
His renewable efforts to fight corruption, a cancer that could destroy government entities are seen sa bonus for common man. He has pledged to kick out corruption before he leaves power. Museveni recently led an anti-corruption March in which he was joined by several government principals who concurred with his initiative. He is seeking, a fifth re-election in 2021 as President to finish all his pledges before he retires.
Mugisha Muntu
Retired Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu has countless times fought for justice and smooth transition of power. He has been in opposition for close to two decades but leads a peaceful campaign of change. He was elected president of the powerful opposition party FDC, although his leadership approach was rubbished by the party members by not reelecting him, Muntu chose to peacefully quit the organization and formed his own party- The Alliance for National Transition which he launched mid this year. He remains spearheading a peaceful campaign of transition, unlike his counterparts that subscribe to violent means of changing leadership which have left heavy damages both on human lives and property.
Edith Nakalema
She is an elite soldier of Special Forces Command (SFC) who served the President as Private Secretary (PS) before appointed head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit. With a few resources allocated to her office, Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema has been able to effectively use them to arrest corrupt government officials. Many have been prosecuted by relevant bodies, others charged and some cautioned. Her efforts have left many government officials warned and has since lessened on the corruption tendencies.
Tamale Mirundi
The belligerent Senior Presidential Advisor on Media has been consistent throughout the year on exposing corrupt government officials. Through his weekly talk-show on NBSTV, Mirundi without fear or favour names the officials that are misleading government or the President. He openly gives his opinion on certain government programs which he thinks won’t benefit the public unless they are rectified, shut or rebranded. His stand for the truth remains his most powerful weapon. Tamale Mirundi, a once vocal Presidential Spokesperson is currently hospitalized.
Pius Bigirimana
He is a man that stood to his ground in times when every Uganda bayed for his blood. Many castigated him as a corrupt official who deserved to rot behind bars, Left alone, Bigirimana stayed consistent and vowed not only to disprove the public and expose a thieving racket of government officials who were aiming at tarnishing his name. He endured mockery, and public insults but stayed focused. In the end, he emerged victorious when courts of law prosecuted and convicted those who stole government funds.
He has since not rested. He has led crusades against the corruption, to a point of earning himself a name, Mr. Activist. He has on many occasions been recognized by the President who likens him to a pumpkin seed, which germinates in all seasons. In his 6 years at Gender Ministry, Bigirimana turned around the entity from being little known to an active institution running several programs that empower the youth, women and workers.
He was this year transferred to Judiciary as the Permanent Secretary and a few months in office, Bigirimana has already exhibited results by effecting the mega Electronic Court System, saving government of billions which were being spent unknowingly on judicial officers and also building mega Supreme Court offices.
Sudhir Ruparelia
He is Uganda’s richest man. However, two years ago, a group of government officials planned for his downfall by snatching his Bank- Crane- the biggest locally owned financial institution. As he chooses to refer to them, the mafia, they didn’t stop at illegally acquiring his bank, but also plotted his arrest. Every Ugandan thought he was finished. His weak-hearted friends abandoned him, many liaised with the mafia to finish him while others positioned themselves to grab his property once he is sent to jail.
Sudhir nevertheless, expressed confidence and took on the mafia legally in courts of law and has since won a number of cases including a landmark victory in which High Court ruled in his favour a case where Bank of Uganda wanted him to refund shs 397 billion on top of losing his bank.
Sudhir has consistently fought for the truth and his detractors struggle to defend lies. He has restored his image by winning the favour of the public who have supported him in his quest for justice. Holding his shoulders high, he disproved many who thought he was finished by opening more skyscrapers like Kingdom Kampala, Electrical Plaza, Speke Apartments Kitante, and many more. He plans to build lavish hotel- Ssesse on Entebbe road. Sudhir Ruparelia is simply unstoppable.
James Mugira
The three star UPDF General, heads National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), a commercial arm of the army. As many may not know him, James Mugira headed CMI, before he was deployed in Luweero Industries, an appointment which was deemed as a demotion. He concentrated on serving the nation until a few years ago when he was appointed the CEO of NEC.
Mugira has turned around the corporation by making it vibrant and a profit making body which the mainstream arm of the army relies on for food and other logistics. NEC has since trained engineers, doctors, bankers and many specialists across all fields. The organization is into construction, oil exploration and others sectors. Mugira, despite such success, remains humble and amiable.
Rajiv Ruparelia
You can’t talk about his father Sudhir and leave out the son, Rajiv. At 29, this youngest CEO oversees the Ruparelia Empire which boosts of 28 companies. In a short while Rajiv has turned from a young man into a shrewd businessman who strikes multibillion deals across the world. His demeanor is exceptional as he deals with all classes of people, but above all his business acumen remains unchallenged. Very hard working, Rapjiv has managed to fit in his father’s shoes as he smoothly runs the empire.
Rajiv, exudes an outstanding character. Mid this year, he joined the motor-rallying. In just a few months he has left a mark, putting senior drivers in a panicking mode as he qualified for NRC.
Rajiv has won each category he participated in to qualify for the big tournament.
Godfrey Kiwanda
He is the State Minister for Tourism and also Mityana County legislator. His efforts to revamp the tourism sector can’t go unnoticed. Through leading different campaigns including Miss Curvy, Miss Uganda, Breathtaking Uganda, Know your Country, among others, Kiwanda has tried hard to promote tourism which contributes a lot towards foreign exchange.
Under his reign, Ugandans have been able to learn of new tourist sites, new hotels and other different cultures of the nation. He has engaged the media into marketing the Uganda as a Pearl of Africa.
Fresh Kid
Patrick Ssenyonjo alias Fresh Kid is Uganda’s youngest entertainer/ rapper. He rose from scratch to a national celebrity whose songs have since inspired fellow young children. From the jungles of Luweero, Fresh Kid now studies at prestigious Kampala Parents where he became number 1 in his Primary Two class. He was given scholarship by Rajiv Ruparelia up to Primary Seven.
His music remains dominating the airwaves, but above all his brilliance mesmerizes those he talks to especially when responding to media interviews.
Okello Dixon
Okello, a self proclaimed Ugandan James Bond is a professional events security handler whose efforts paid him as he was identified by the Worlds Football governing body-FIFA as its security officer.
Since last year, Okello has flown places conducting duties of his employer FIFA. The latest is that he will be relocating to Spain where he will be heading soccer security. Okello worked hard to reach where he is now. He would be seen organizing spectators at Namboole Stadium, handling revelers at music concerts before fortune knocked on his door.
Quiin Abenakyo
The Former Miss Uganda has no doubt represented Uganda at a global level when she was crowned Miss Africa in China. She has since walked the talk by embarking on fight for fellow girls’ rights.
Recently President Museveni injected Shs 120m into her foundations that strives to promote the wellbeing of girls through addressing issues on child marriage and teenage pregnancy. She continues to inspire the youth.
Big Trill
Many may not know his name but his music, especially his famous “Parte after Patrte” hit that has cut across the global airwaves.
Rowland Kaiza alias Big Trill is the latest talk of the town as he always booked to perform in different hangouts. What is remarkable is that his song is danced to by international artistes like the Nigerian Wizkid, American rapper Cardi B and other celebrities. Parte after Parte is no doubt the song of the year.
Cartoonist Ogon
Chris Atukwasize Ogon is a full-time cartoonist, published in several newspapers since 2013. Now working with the Daily Monitor and Ennyanda newspapers,subsidiaries of Monitor Publications Ltd which is owned by Nation Media Group.
He has won several awards because of his quite fantastic images that have at some point stirred debate among the public.
Ogon’s cartoons have caused excitement in some political circles particularly, the opposition- FDC. Some of his popular illustrations are when he portrayed Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu as a regime element while Besigye as being the only football player in opposition.
Ogon continues to enjoy freedom of the press as he is yet to be gagged by the authorities however much provocative his images can be.
Solomon Sserwanja
Ugandan investigative reporter and news anchor Solomon Serwanjja won the 2019 BBC World News Komla Dumor Award.
Serwanjja is a presenter at Uganda’s NBS TV, where he hosts one of the channel’s prime-time shows.
He has also produced award-winning reports, including one for BBC’s Africa Eye programme about the illegal sale of prescription drugs.
The award was created to honour Komla Dumor, a presenter for BBC World News, who died suddenly aged 41 in 2014.
Esther and Ezekiel
The 2019 East Africa’s Got Talent (EAGT) winner officially been announced, and this year the champions are Uganda’s Ezekiel and Esther Mutesasira.
Each and every performer upped their game to impress the judges, live audience and (especially) viewers watching at home, but there could be only one winner tonight, October 6th, 2019.
As is tradition with TV competitions, the result was agonizingly dragged out by comedian Ann Kansiime, who eventually revealed that the Children to celebrated gospel musician Julie Mutesasira had won the show.
Didas Kaginda
He is the CEO of Forbes Enterprises Limited with its head offices in Kiwatule, a Kampala suburb. Kaginda may be little known but has contributed tremendously to the wellbeing of many lives in our society today. He officiated Forbes which grew from scratch to number one labour exporting company in Uganda, that is genuinely recognized by the Ministry of Gender.
Unlike other companies that make names out of fleecing people of their money, Kaginda has kept the reputation by taking the labourers up to their destination in Foreign countries especially UAE. He keeps in touch with his people for feedback as well as overseeing their projects in case they choose to invest back home.
Kenzo
Edrisah Musuza alias Eddy Kenzo is the CEO of Big Talent music group. He was recently in the news after his longtime fiancé Rema Namakula moved on and married another man Hamza Ssebunya, a doctor.
Kenzo wished the couple well and congratulated Hamza for landing on a good woman with a good heart. Rema and Kenzo have a child together.
Whereas he was publicly bashed for losing such a beautiful woman, Kenzo composed a song out that egony “semwekozo” which has since become a hit.
He also met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who agreed to look into his issues of supporting the youth.
Rema
The female singer, is still in the news after staging a glamorous traditional marriage ceremony.
Rema Namakula introduced her new husband Hamza Ssebunya last month.
The ceremony remains an inspirational to the young women who intend to introduce their loved ones.
