Joy Amanda|
On 11th September,2025, the Internet Society Uganda Chapter successfully concluded its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and leadership handover, setting a new course for engagement and digital safety in the coming year. The meeting, held at the Protea Hotel, served as a platform to review the successes of the past year, discuss financial performance, and introduce the new team members stepping up to lead the Chapter.
Review of Achievements and Financial Strength
The Chapter celebrated significant accomplishments, making mention of its pivotal role in the region’s internet governance space.
- Grant Success: The Chapter successfully secured two Beyond the Net grants from the Internet Society Foundation, supporting projects on assessing internet use in Ugandan schools and advancing online safety in Uganda.
- Partnerships: A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RENU, which will facilitate collaboration on capacity building, advocacy, and event co-hosting. We welcome members to propose ideas for collaboration activities under this new MOU for the coming year.
- Financial Overview: The financial performance for 2023-2024 was reviewed. Total receipts from various institutions for hosting policy engagement events such as the Uganda and East Africa Internet Governance Forums (IGFs). The Chapter also fiscal sponsored a $550,000 research project implemented in partnership with the Evidence Methods Lab (EML). The project sought to explore opportunities for Internet in service delivery in Uganda by examining capacity gaps hindering the utilisation of the Internet by government agencies in the effort to improve transparency and accountability in service delivery.
Leadership Transition and New Team
The AGM featured an inspiring handover and farewell session, where the outgoing team encouraged the incoming leadership to be creative in securing new partnerships and encouraged the team to be passionate as they serve and do their work.
We are excited to introduce the new leadership team who will be steering the Chapter forward:
- Joshua Mpairwe: President
- Brian Kasozi: Vice President
- Joy Amanda: Secretary General
- Ruth Nalulukuma: Projects Coordinator
- Ramadhan Atukwase: Treasurer
- Nebert Ashaba: Projects Coordinator SIG
The new team brings on a different sphere of experience, including backgrounds in civil society, finance, and data science. Their immediate goals include engaging members, building on previous achievements, and focusing on project sustainability.
Strategic Focus for the Next Year
The meeting outlined clear, actionable steps to bolster sustainability and expand the Chapter’s impact. Key focus areas include:
- Sustainability and Financial Growth:
A primary discussion centred on the urgent need to develop a diversified funding strategy. This approach aims to secure increased support from various partners’ portfolios. - Membership Engagement: The Chapter is renewing its focus on member participation. Recognising the value of active membership, members are encouraged to move beyond merely proposing ideas and actively participate in implementing Chapter initiatives and timely remittance of annual membership dues.
- Partner and stakeholder engagements: The Chapter recognised the need for continuous and active partner and stakeholder engagements as essential for achieving its mission. As such, the Chapter shall actively seek to partner with key industry stakeholders in building a resilient, safe and secure internet for all.
The new leadership is committed to executing these strategies and expanding the Chapter’s reach. Ultimately, the team aims to create a collective movement towards securing a vibrant, open, and inclusive internet for all in Uganda.