Uganda red cross secretary general receives national award on independence day

9 October 2025, 4:13 pm

Red Cross Media

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 honoured 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 the Uganda Red Cross’s transformation over the past decade. In 2013, the organisation faced a severe organisational 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
• More than doubled its funding portfolio, bringing new partners and programmes on board

Today, URCS operates a robust humanitarian agenda, with a strong national presence, a vibrant volunteer network, and expanded capacity to respond to disasters, health emergencies, and community resilience needs.

A trusted humanitarian partner to government

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.

The Uganda Red Cross also works with a broader portfolio of partners beyond its collaboration with the Government of Uganda, including the United Nations, corporate and private sector entities, academic institutions, and various associations.

Secretary General’s remarks

Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Robert Kwesiga said:

“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. 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.”