By Peter Mabira
NAIROBI/KAMPALA – Uganda’s Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has earned continental recognition after finishing second runner-up in the Unstoppable African Cabinet Minister of the Year 2026 awards.
Barugahara received the recognition during the inaugural Unstoppable African Awards held on Saturday, October 31, at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside the launch of The Africa Agenda Forum.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, emerged as the overall winner, while Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development, Geoffrey Ruku, finished first runner-up.
The recognition comes months after Barugahara took over the Ministry of Local Government in May 2026, succeeding Raphael Magyezi in President Yoweri Museveni’s new Cabinet.
Since assuming the portfolio, the minister has attracted public attention through his visible inspections of local governments, particularly his campaign against corruption, misuse of public resources and weaknesses in service delivery.
In August, Vice President Jessica Alupo commended Barugahara and State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere for their efforts in confronting corruption within local governments, saying their inspections and interventions had sent a strong message against impunity and misuse of public resources.
The Ministry of Local Government, in its congratulatory message on Sunday, November 1, credited Barugahara’s fight against corruption, focus on markets and commitment to service delivery for the continental recognition.
Reacting to the award, Barugahara expressed gratitude to Ugandans and supporters across Africa who participated in the voting process.
He dedicated the recognition to God, President Museveni, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, government colleagues, ministry staff and local government leaders.
Quoting John 3:30, he said: “He must increase, but I must decrease,” describing himself as an instrument in God’s hands.
He further pledged to strengthen accountability and ensure public funds allocated to villages, parishes, sub-counties, towns and districts translate into tangible improvements in people’s livelihoods.
“This is not a reason to slow down, but a greater responsibility to serve,” he said.
The award adds to the growing public attention surrounding the minister’s approach to local government administration, with expectations now resting on his ability to translate the recognition into sustained improvements in accountability and grassroots service delivery.
For Uganda, the recognition places one of its Cabinet members among the top three performers in the inaugural continental awards.
