Kampala — The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has appointed Naphtal Baguma as its new Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2027.
Baguma was appointed by the Society’s Central Governing Board following a selection process aimed at identifying a leader with the experience, institutional knowledge and leadership capacity to guide the organisation into its next phase of growth and humanitarian work.
He succeeds Robert Kwesiga, who has served as Secretary General during a period of institutional transformation at the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Baguma brings more than 20 years of professional experience spanning the humanitarian, public and private sectors, including more than a decade in senior leadership positions within URCS.
Before his appointment, he served as Director of Supply Chain and Estates Management, where he provided executive oversight of procurement, logistics, fleet management, warehousing, estates and assets.
His work at URCS has also involved engagement with government, Parliament, donors and partners within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The Board said his experience has given him extensive knowledge of the Society’s governance structures, programmes, branches, volunteers, partnerships and operational environment.
Baguma holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Governance and Finance from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
His professional qualifications include MCIPS and Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) certification.
He has also undertaken executive leadership programmes at Harvard Business School and Strathmore University, including the Management and Leadership Programme at Harvard and the CEO Apprenticeship Programme at Strathmore.
Before joining the Uganda Red Cross Society, Baguma held senior positions with the USAID-Mildmay Uganda Programme, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Nation Media Group, among other institutions.
His career has given him experience in institutional systems, donor compliance, project management, public-sector governance, financial stewardship, procurement and strategic partnerships.
The Central Governing Board said it expects Baguma to use that experience to strengthen the Society’s governance and organisational effectiveness while improving its financial sustainability and humanitarian reach.
As Secretary General, Baguma will oversee the Society’s strategic direction, with priorities including strengthening governance, expanding strategic partnerships, empowering branches and volunteers and ensuring measurable humanitarian impact among vulnerable communities across Uganda.
The Board also paid tribute to outgoing Secretary General Robert Kwesiga, thanking him for his service and contribution to the growth and transformation of the Uganda Red Cross Society.
It particularly recognised Kwesiga for steering the organisation through what it described as turbulent periods and for supporting a smooth leadership transition.
“The Board expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Robert Kwesiga, the outgoing Secretary General, for his dedicated service and contribution to the growth and transformation of the Uganda Red Cross Society during his tenure,” the Society said.
The leadership transition will involve a structured handover and onboarding process intended to ensure continuity in programmes, operations and institutional leadership.
The Central Governing Board, chaired by Dr Halid Kirunda, called on URCS members, staff, volunteers, partners and other stakeholders to support Baguma as he assumes the leadership of the humanitarian organisation.
Baguma will formally take office on March 1, 2027, beginning a new chapter for an organisation whose work spans disaster response, emergency relief, community resilience, health and humanitarian support across Uganda.
The Uganda Red Cross Society congratulated Baguma on his appointment and wished him success in advancing its mission of service, integrity, sustainability and humanitarian impact.