Hon. Balaam Barugahare
Title: Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs
Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, commonly known as Balaam, is a Ugandan politician and businessman currently serving as the State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, specifically in charge of Children and Youth Affairs. He was appointed to this position by President Yoweri Museveni on March 21, 2024.
He Attended Namasagali School and St. John Bosco Senior Secondary School. Completed his Alevels at Original Progressive Senior Secondary School. Earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a focus on Marketing from Makerere University. Obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Marketing from Cavendish University.
Balaam is a successful entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio; he is the CEO of Balaam Group of Companies, which operates in Uganda and South Sudan. He founded Radio One in South Sudan, the first privately owned media house there, and several radio stations in Uganda including Radio4, Radio7, and Radio8. He is involved in real estate development, including a Fivestar hotel in Masindi commissioned by President Museveni in September 2022.
On February 21, 2023, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanity from Zoe Life Theological College in the USA for his contributions to improving the lives of Ugandans.
Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi embodies a blend of business acumen and political engagement, aiming to make significant impacts on youth and children’s welfare in Uganda.
Sessions With Hon Balaam
Thur 24 Oct: Sympo Conversation: The Story of the Ugandan Creative
View Other Speakers
Sande-McKinnell Executive Director at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI)
Champion of Financial Inclusion, Data Integrity Advocacy
Minister, Science Technology and Innovation
Afyanahiki -Host
Executive Director Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)
Minister of Trade
Executive Director, National Union of Coffee Agribusiness and Farm Enterprises (NUCAFE)
Lecturer, Kyambogo University
Resilient Africa Network
Director, Editor, and Colorist at Addmaya Motion Pictures
Regional Programme Manager| Creative Economy, British Council Arts team
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) | Resident Representative for Uganda
Managing Director of DFCU Bank
Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)
Member of Parliament
Business Director at Swangz Avenue
Managing Partner, KTA Advocates
Practice Head, Technology, Media, Telecommunications, KTA Advocates.
Head of Special Projects at Next Media Group
Head of Local Content Multichoice Group
Co Founder and CEO of Karaa
Director Intellectual Property, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)
Venture Architect Starthub Africa
Co-Chief Executive officer, Black Canvas Media
Chairman, Kiira Motors Corporation
Director General, Presidential Initiative for Banana Industry Development
Registrar General, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)
Founder, Afriart Gallery
Visual Artist
Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs
Head of Strategy, NSSF
Consultant, KTA Advocates & Former Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda
Fashion designer, IGC Fashion House
Little Red Curious
Founder and Creative Lead at Khama Digital
Managing Director, The Bold Woman Fund.
