InstinctBusiness CEO of the Week: Ron Kawamara,Chief Executive Officer,Hugamara Uganda

Ron Kazooba Kawamara, Chief Executive Officer, Hugamara Uganda, is the InstinctBusiness CEO of the Week.
Kawamara is a trailblazer in African entrepreneurship, steering a diverse portfolio of 18 companies across hospitality, microfinance, security, and logistics in Uganda, Kenya, the DRC, the UAE, and the USA.

Since founding Hugamara, Kawamara has cultivated a values-driven ecosystem, fostering innovation and sustainable growth. His leadership has transformed Hugamara into a beacon of excellence, emphasizing exceptional governance and community impact.

Kawamara’s career is marked by transformative roles in e-commerce and tourism. As Senior Vice President and CEO of Jumia Uganda, he revolutionized online retail, scaling operations to connect over 80,000 sellers with consumers across Africa.

Kawamara’s strategic vision also shone as Managing Director for Jumia’s East Africa and Uganda Food divisions, where he enhanced logistics and payment systems, boosting accessibility and reliability. Earlier, as Country Manager for Hellofood Uganda, he led the platform to win the 2014 European Tech Startup Award for best e-commerce startup, cementing his reputation as a digital pioneer.

As Chairperson of the E-Trade and Startup Association of Uganda since 2019, Kawamara has championed advocacy and collaboration, propelling the e-commerce sector through stakeholder engagement and public education. His role as Vice Chairperson of the Uganda Tourism Board since 2024 further showcases his commitment to sustainable tourism, leveraging his expertise in marketing strategy and strategic partnerships to promote Uganda globally.

Kawamara played a key role in the development of the EIPP, a digital platform launched in December 2023 by President Yoweri Museveni to safeguard investment processes in Uganda, enhancing transparency and efficiency. He pushed for targeted tourism investments, emphasizing infrastructure development in national parks, the Source of the Nile, Lake Victoria, and other tourist sites to boost Uganda’s tourism sector.

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Kawamara’s early career included a stint as Marketing and Business Development Manager at People-Connect in San Francisco and Region VII President of the California Student Senate, where he honed his leadership and strategic planning skills. A versatile leader, he excels in team management, digital strategy, and green technology, consistently driving innovation across industries.

Under Kawamara’s stewardship, Hugamara Uganda continues to redefine business excellence, blending profitability with purpose. His ability to navigate complex markets while fostering inclusive growth makes him a pivotal figure in shaping Africa’s economic future, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to dream big and act boldly.

InstinctBusiness Magazine’s recognition celebrates top-performing executives globally, honouring exceptional leadership, innovation, and transformative impact across diverse industries.