Evolve Group Africa has unveiled the finalists for the 2025 Uganda Marketing Excellence Awards (UMEAS), with the fifth anniversary gala set to take place on Thursday, December 11, at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The event will bring together top marketers, brands, and corporate leaders to celebrate creativity, innovation, and measurable impact in Uganda’s marketing industry.
This year’s edition, themed “Promoting Sustainable Marketing Excellence,” will feature competition across thirteen categories, including a newly introduced award—Brand of the Year—added to commemorate the awards’ milestone anniversary. Companies and individuals will showcase campaigns and projects that highlight the intersection of creativity, effectiveness, and sustainable practices.
Paul Businge, co-founder of Evolve Group Africa, explained that the awards assess marketing performance from ideation to execution, covering communications, digital, and advertising strategies. “The Marketing Council ensures professionalism at every stage, maintaining credibility, transparency, and fairness,” Businge said.
The six-member Marketing Council, comprising Dr. Benedict Mugerwa, Ngulumi Immaculate Nabatte, John Paul Okwi, Rogers Anguzu, Barbara Arimi, and Jackie Namara, will determine 60% of the winners for public vote categories, while the remaining 40% will be decided by public voting. The Brand of the Year award will be fully determined by the council.
John Paul Okwi, lead of the Marketing Council, emphasized that sustainability was central to this year’s evaluation. Campaigns and initiatives were assessed on how effectively they utilized resources, delivered returns, and embraced practices that ensure long-term impact and responsible marketing.
Tickets for the gala are available at UGX 200,000 for individuals, while corporate tables are priced at UGX 2.5 million. Interested attendees can reserve seats by contacting 0703115242 or 0772358292. Sponsors supporting the 2025 edition include I&M Bank, NSSF, NBS TV, Multichoice Uganda, Centenary Bank, Crown Beverages, Vision Group, Equity Bank, and several other corporate and media partners.
Among the finalists, notable campaigns include Tukikube Ne by I&M Bank, Master Wa Street by Total Energies Uganda, Spinny & Friends by Malembe Holdings, and Smarta With Data by Airtel Uganda. Organizations such as UEDCL, Uganda Breweries Ltd, MultiChoice Uganda, and Equity Bank are also recognized across multiple categories for campaigns in digital marketing, PR, experiential marketing, social good, and sustainability.
The awards will culminate with the announcement of the UMEAS Marketing Pioneer Award, celebrating trailblazers in Uganda’s marketing sector. The 2025 edition promises to set a new standard for professional excellence, spotlighting innovation, strategic thinking, and sustainable marketing practices that are shaping the country’s business landscape.
