The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Naphtal Baguma as Secretary General (Chief Executive Officer), effective 1 March 2027. The appointment was made by the Central Governing Board following a process to identify a leader with the experience, institutional knowledge and leadership capacity to guide the Society into its next phase of growth, transformation and humanitarian impact.
Mr. Baguma is a seasoned humanitarian and institutional leader with more than 20 years of progressive professional experience spanning the humanitarian, public and private sectors, including more than a decade in senior leadership roles within the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary General, he served as Director of Supply Chain and Estates Management, providing executive leadership across procurement, logistics, fleet, warehousing, estates and asset management. In these roles, he has engaged extensively with Government, Parliament, donors and Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, while contributing to strategic planning, resource mobilisation, partnership development, governance processes and institutional decision-making. This experience has given him a deep understanding of URCS governance, programmes, branches, volunteers, partnerships and operating environment.
Mr. Baguma has completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Governance and Finance at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (Management) and a Bachelor of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, alongside professional qualifications including MCIPS and Certified Procurement Professional (CPP).
He has further undertaken executive leadership programmes at Harvard Business School and Strathmore University, including the Management and Leadership Programme at Harvard Business School and the CEO Apprenticeship Programme at Strathmore University.
Before joining URCS, Mr. Baguma held senior positions with the USAID-Mildmay Uganda Programme, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Nation Media Group, among others. His career across these institutions has provided him with broad experience in institutional systems, donor compliance, project management, public-sector governance, financial stewardship, procurement and strategic partnership management.
The Board is confident that Mr. Baguma’s extensive experience, institutional knowledge and leadership capabilities will position him well to lead the Uganda Red Cross Society as we strengthen our governance, systems, partnerships and humanitarian impact.
As Secretary General, Mr. Baguma will provide strategic leadership to the Society, with a focus on strengthening governance and organisational effectiveness, advancing financial sustainability, deepening strategic partnerships, empowering branches and volunteers, and ensuring measurable humanitarian impact for vulnerable communities across Uganda.
The Board also 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 Board particularly recognised his commitment to leading URCS during the turbulent times, plus, supporting a smooth transition.
The Central Governing Board calls upon URCS members, staff, volunteers, partners and other stakeholders to extend their cooperation and support to Mr. Baguma as he assumes leadership of the Society and advances its humanitarian mission. The leadership transition will be guided by a structured handover and onboarding process to ensure continuity of leadership, programmes and operations.
The Uganda Red Cross Society congratulates Mr. Naphtal Baguma on his appointment and wishes him success as he leads the Society into its next chapter of service, integrity, sustainability and humanitarian impact.
