The Uganda Digital Society (UDS) has announced the inaugural John Babirukamu Annual Memorial Lecture, an event organized in honor of the late John Birungi Babirukamu — a respected digital strategist, communications leader, educator, and mentor who played a significant role in shaping Uganda’s marketing, communications, and digital ecosystem.
John served as Vice President of the Uganda Digital Society and was widely admired for his ability to bridge strategy, innovation, education, and people development. His contribution to Uganda’s digital industry extended beyond professional excellence to active mentorship, talent development, and leadership guidance for young professionals across multiple sectors.
The memorial lecture will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the ICT Innovation Hub, under the theme:
“Creating Digital Leaders Through Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing”
The annual lecture has been established not only as a tribute to John’s life and legacy, but also as a practical platform to continue the values he championed: mentorship, ethical leadership, professional growth, collaboration, and wellness within demanding careers.
The keynote address will be delivered by Collin Babirukamu, Director of IT at Bank of Uganda.
The event is expected to convene between 150 and 200 participants drawn from Uganda’s digital, marketing, communications, technology, entrepreneurship, academia, government, and media sectors.
During the event, Uganda Digital Society will officially unveil the John Babirukamu Mentorship Programme, a multi-sector initiative designed to connect young professionals, students, founders, creatives, and emerging digital practitioners with experienced leaders across Uganda’s professional landscape.
The programme will establish structured mentorship relationships between seasoned professionals and young talent while promoting ethical leadership, mental wellness, knowledge sharing, and practical career growth. It will also strengthen collaboration among professional societies, institutions, and industry leaders, creating meaningful pathways for emerging talent to learn, grow, and contribute to Uganda’s digital transformation.
“The most meaningful tribute we can offer is not only to speak well of John, but to continue the work of growing people. We invite everyone to register and attend this inaugural event, and to join us in this industry-wide effort to nurture the next generation of professionals,” said John Ssenkeezi, President of Uganda Digital Society.
The initiative comes at a critical moment as Uganda’s digital economy continues to expand and the need for intentional leadership development, talent nurturing, and professional wellness becomes increasingly urgent.
The event is free to attend, but participants are required to register in advance via: https://forms.gle/VBzYY1UbmSFqN4rv8
