Who is Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, tribe, achievements, and relationship with Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), Gladesi Byenkya Abwooli, the late Engineer David Balaam Byenkya Akiiki, Benta Karuhanga Abwooli, Biden Kamusiime Amooti, Brennan Kamukama Akiiki and Bennette Tumusiime Amooti and the early life and education of a politician, businessman, and promoter of music and events in Uganda.
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi also known as Balaam, is a politician, businessman, and promoter of music and events in Uganda.
He serves as the CEO of the South Sudanese and Ugandan conglomerate Balaam Group of Companies.
His primary investment interests are in manufacturing, real estate, entertainment, broadcasting, hotels, and resorts.
Balaam Barugahara is an advocate of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party. He also endorses and supports General Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the next president of the Republic of Uganda.
Net Worth
Balaam is estimated to have a net worth of USD 100 million (UGX 366 billion) as of July 2025 and he has an investment of $7 million, around UGX 26 billion, in South Sudan.
Balaam has a House in Kampala which is reported to be around 320 million Ugandan shillings.
One of the more costly projects he has undertaken is the construction of multiple houses on his personal real estate development.
Early Life
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi was born on July 28, 1979, in Masindi District to Gladesi Byenkya Abwooli of Kalisizo District in Central Buganda, and the late Engineer David Balaam Byenkya Akiiki of Kijura.
He is the fifth child among 14 children. His father passed away when he was at a tender age in 1991.
He is a Munyoro by tribe.
Education Background
Balaam Barugahara attended Namasaggali Secondary School and St. John Bosco Senior Secondary School for his O’level studies and Original Progressive Senior Secondary School for A-level studies.
Afterwards, Balaam pursued a Diploma in Marketing in 2001 and a bachelor’s degree in commerce in 2007 at Makerere University.
He finally went for a master’s degree in business administration with a marketing major at Cavendish University Uganda in 2009.
Education background summary
| Years | Institution | Status /Award |
| Namasaggali College | UCE – Completed | |
| Original Progressive Senior Secondary School | UACE – Completed | |
| 2001 | Makerere University | Diploma in Marketing |
| 2004 – 2007 | Makerere University | Bachelor’s degree in commerce |
| 2009 – 2010 | Cavendish University | Master’s degree in business administration (marketing) |
Marriage / Relationship
Balaam Barugahara is not married however; he was in a relationship where he had a son whom he later regrettably lost to Cancer in 2013.
Balaam is also a father to Benta Karuhanga Abwooli, Biden Kamusiime Amooti, Brennan Kamukama Akiiki and Bennette Tumusiime Amooti.
During an interview in November 2023, he was quoted saying that he hopes to marry a Dinka, a Karamojong, an Acholi, and a Munyakole. He would love to marry four women in a bid “to balance Uganda.”
Career and Professional Work Experience
While attending Makerere University, Balaam Barugahara got involved in event promotion after meeting Abitex, the planner of a Kadongo Kamu event at Nakivubo Stadium.
After a beverage-selling gig at the show went wrong, Balaam decided to get into events promotion. He did this in response to Semujju’s shame and frustration.
Beginning with Miss University and the buzzers throughout the university, he began planning events within the university and continued even after finishing.
Balaam Barugahara is the owner and operator of two businesses in South Sudan: the first privately held media outlet he founded in 2009, Radio One, and the Original Best Water Company.
Along with being the MTN Uganda distributor for the Kigezi subregion, he is also the owner and managing director of Radio 4 (Uganda), Radio 7 (Masindi), Radio 8 (Masaka), and Radio 8 (Elgon region).
Balaam is also a Real estate developer and he operates hotels in South Sudan and Kampala, including a five-star establishment in Masindi that President Museveni officially opened in September 2022.
Balaam was elected President of the National Federation of Entertainment Promoters Limited (NAFEP) in August 2023.
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi appointed Minister
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has been appointed Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development, with responsibility for Youth and Children Affairs.
His appointment, announced on 21 March 2024, marks a significant step for a man best known for his close ties to Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the political movement now known as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
Barugahara has for years been a fixture in Uganda’s entertainment and public relations scenes, building a reputation as a high-profile events organiser and media personality. But his role has steadily shifted towards the political stage, especially through his early involvement in the MK Movement — the precursor to the PLU — which has openly backed the President’s son in his public and political ambitions.
Reacting to the news of his ministerial appointment, Barugahara struck a tone of gratitude, crediting his elevation to what he described as “confidence” in both himself and the networks that shaped him. He paid tribute to the PLU, formerly MK Movement, the “MK Army,” and his native Bunyoro region, as well as what he called the “patriotic youth of Uganda.”
The appointment is seen by some as further evidence of the growing influence of figures aligned with Gen Muhoozi and the PLU within the current political order. It also puts Barugahara in a strategic role at a time when youth affairs are increasingly central to Uganda’s national agenda.
Other Career accomplishments
Balaam Barugahara is the Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of the following;
Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Balaam Marketing and Promotions Agency Ltd.
Director and Founder of Radio 7 100.7 FM Uganda, 103.3 FM Radio 4 Uganda and 87.9 FM Radio One South Sudan’s Juba.
Managing Director/Chairman of Balaam Group Ltd., a promotions and civic education agency; founder and director of a five-star hotel in Masindi.
Balaam is the vice-chairperson of the MK Movement in Western Uganda and the president of Ugandan entertainment promoters.
As the Director of Public Relations, he is essential in liaising between the Ugandan government, which includes President HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and artists, particularly musicians, comedians, and actors from films.
In addition to his extensive volunteer activities, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi is constructing a home for children with mental disabilities.
Balaam has also assisted other musicians in need and has frequently asked to resolve conflicts that come up between artists.
Achievements and Awards
Balaam Barugahara is a highly successful businessman with many enterprises in Uganda and South Sudan.
On February 21, 2023, Balaam Barugahara received an Honorary Doctorate in humanity from Zoe Life Theological College, USA for altering and touching the lives of Ugandans.
Controversies
In 2022, Joseph Tamale Mirundi warned Balaam Barugahara to leave his son Tamale Mirundi Jnr alone.
According to him, Balaam was attempting to pay his son Shs50 million so that he would leave the People Power movement for the ruling NRM party.
Balaam Barugahara was treated with contempt in June 2019 due to his attire during Patrick Salvador’s introduction ceremony.
Rather than wearing a coat and kanzu like most of the other male attendees, Balaam wore his signature orange t-shirt and black trousers to the introduction ceremony.
In defence of himself, Balaam claimed that the informal dress code was necessary because he had to run between Mityana and Namugongo to attend his friend’s happy day and was coordinating organizations for Martyrs Day events the following day.
Balaam also stated that he is unaffected by the criticism since both events were a huge success.
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