Kampala, Uganda – As Uganda celebrates its 63rd Independence Anniversary, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is proud to announce that its Secretary General, Mr. Robert Kwesiga, has been honored with a prestigious national award by H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and distinguished humanitarian service.
The award was presented during the official Independence Day celebrations held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on 9th October 2025. It acknowledges Mr. Kwesiga’s outstanding leadership in emergency response, his tireless efforts to protect vulnerable populations, and his 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 central to Uganda Red Cross’s transformation over the past decade. In 2013, the institution faced a severe organizational and financial crisis, grappling with debts exceeding USD 10 million and a damaged public reputation.
Under his stewardship, URCS not only recovered from this crisis, but also:
Cleared all legacy debts,
Restored donor and public trust,
Reclaimed its role as Uganda’s lead humanitarian responder, and
More than doubled its funding portfolio, bringing new partners and programs on board.
URCS today operates a robust humanitarian agenda, with a strong national presence, vibrant volunteer network, and expanded capacity to respond to disasters, health emergencies, and community resilience needs.
*A Trusted Humanitarian Partner to Government*
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This award also reflects the strong and reliable partnership between the Uganda Red Cross Society and the Government of Uganda. As an auxiliary to public authorities in humanitarian work, URCS supports government efforts in key areas including:
– Emergency disaster response and recovery
– Refugee assistance and settlement support
– Public health interventions, including epidemic response and community engagement campaigns
– Disaster risk reduction and early warning systems
– Community resilience and climate adaptation programming
Through its coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, and local governments, URCS has proven to be a dependable partner in saving lives and protecting human dignity across Uganda.
Uganda Red Cross works with a bigger portfolio of Partners beyond its partnership with the Government of Uganda. Among these include the United Nations, Corporate / Private Sector entities, Academia, Associations, etc.
*Secretary General’s Remarks*
Speaking after receiving the award, Mr. Kwesiga said:
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition on behalf of the Uganda Red Cross Society and our incredible staff and volunteers across the country. 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 heartfelt appreciation to the President and the Government of Uganda for this recognition, and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to humanitarian service, in line with its mandate and the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
