As Uganda marked its 63rd Independence Anniversary, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) proudly celebrated a moment of national recognition as its Secretary General, Mr Robert Kwesiga, received a prestigious award from H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda for his exceptional leadership and humanitarian service.
The award, presented during the official Independence Day celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, honoured Mr Kwesiga’s outstanding contribution to emergency response, protection of vulnerable communities, and his pivotal role in positioning URCS as a strategic partner in national development and disaster management.
Leadership Through Crisis and Recovery
Mr Kwesiga’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming the Uganda Red Cross Society over the past decade. When he assumed office in 2013, URCS was battling a deep organisational and financial crisis — burdened with debts exceeding USD 10 million and a tarnished public image.
Under his stewardship, the organisation not only recovered but also achieved major milestones, including: clearing all legacy debts, restoring donor and public trust, reclaiming its role as Uganda’s lead humanitarian responder and more than doubling its funding portfolio and expanding partnerships.
Today, URCS operates with a strong national footprint, an active volunteer network, and enhanced capacity to respond to disasters, health emergencies, and community resilience programs.
A Trusted Partner to Government
The recognition also underscores URCS’s long-standing partnership with the Government of Uganda as an auxiliary to public authorities in humanitarian work. URCS supports government initiatives across several critical areas: emergency disaster response and recovery, refugee assistance and settlement support, public health interventions and epidemic response, disaster risk reduction and early warning systems and community resilience and climate adaptation programs.
Through collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, and local governments, URCS continues to be a dependable partner in safeguarding lives and promoting human dignity.
Beyond government collaboration, URCS works closely with a wide network of partners, including the United Nations, corporate entities, academia, and professional associations — strengthening its capacity to serve communities across Uganda.
Commitment to Humanitarian Excellence
Upon receiving the award, Mr Kwesiga expressed deep gratitude and dedicated the recognition to the collective efforts of URCS staff and volunteers nationwide.
“I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive this recognition on behalf of the Uganda Red Cross Society and our incredible staff and volunteers across the country,” he said. “This accolade is a testament to the power of collective action, community resilience, and the spirit of humanity that drives our work every day. As we celebrate Uganda’s independence, let us also commit to building a nation where compassion, dignity, and unity guide our service to others.”
The Uganda Red Cross Society extends its heartfelt appreciation to the President and Government of Uganda for this honour and reaffirms its unwavering dedication to humanitarian service.
Guided by the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, URCS remains committed to saving lives, promoting dignity, and fostering resilience in communities across Uganda.