On August 8, 2025, the Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) hosted the Insurance Media Workshop at Fairway Hotel, under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Rethinking Insurance Reporting in Uganda.” The workshop brought together stakeholders from the insurance sector and the media to discuss strategies for improving insurance coverage, fostering accurate reporting, and deepening public understanding of insurance.
Delivering the opening remarks, the UIA Chief Executive Officer, Jonan Kisakye expressed appreciation to the media for their role in shaping public awareness. He emphasized that, insurance as a promise can only be trusted if it is well understood, noting that the industry continues to be underreported. He described the workshop as a step towards demystifying the sector, building trust, and helping the media to tell stories that truly reflect the scope and value of insurance. Jonan stressed the need for a closer relationship between insurers and journalists, highlighting the importance of learning from one another and aligning efforts for public education.
The UIA Chairperson Ruth Namuli commended the media as a powerful and far-reaching channel of information with the ability to transform public perceptions and improve insurance reporting & understanding in Uganda. She emphasized the shared responsibility between the media and the insurance industry to ensure news on insurance is reported accurately and objectively, expressing optimism that continuous engagement would take insurance awareness to the grassroots, driving both growth and inclusivity.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority, Alhaj Dr. Kaddunabbi Ibrahim Lubega, spoke about the pivotal role of insurance in fostering sustainable economic growth, enhancing resilience, and safeguarding livelihoods. He acknowledged the persistent challenges in public awareness and trust, noting that many still perceive insurance as a luxury rather than a necessity. He urged the media to play a stronger role in public education and emphasized the importance of insurance as a safety net that enables individuals and businesses to recover and regain stability in times of loss.
Representing the Keynote Speaker – Dr. Kin Kariisa, Next Media’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Partnerships, Ben Mwine acknowledged the trust that the public places in the media and the responsibility that comes with it. He encouraged journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and balance in reporting while urging insurers to provide accessible data, training, and opportunities for open dialogue with the media. He remarked that, such collaboration is essential in bridging the information gap between the public and the insurance industry thus, strengthening public trust in insurance.
Joshua Akena, Head of Operations at Old Mutual Life Assurance, made a presentation on “Insurance without Jargon”, focusing on the affordability of insurance and its role in reducing poverty.
The workshop featured two panel discussions. The first with a topic on:” From Press Release to Headline, What Actually Gets Coverage?” moderated by, Mariam Nalunkuma, the Manager Corporate Affairs, Insurance Regulatory Authority. This session explored ways of improving insurance reporting in Uganda. Media leaders shared insights on industry trends, newsroom priorities, and the importance of accurate data.
The second panel, moderated by Dr. Donato Laboke, Head Marketing & Channel Development Sanlaam - East Africa. This focused on safeguarding policyholders and shaping industry growth, with panelists emphasizing transparency, client engagement, education, and timely claims settlement as key to public trust.
In his closing remarks, Jonan Kisakye the Chief Executive Officer for the UIA expressed gratitude to the media and insurance stakeholders for their willingness to collaborate. He called on journalists to actively follow up on insurance matters and the industry to share compelling stories, such as timely claims payments, to enhance public interest. He pledged that, the Uganda Insurers Association would work towards holding the Insurance Media Workshop more frequently in order to sustain momentum and strengthen the partnership between insurers and the media.
