Who is Naomi Namara Karekaho? Flash Uganda Media looks at her biography, age, husband, family, career, work and experience, early life and education of the current Head of Communications and Corporate Communications Manager at NEMA.
Naomi Namara Karekaho is a seasoned Ugandan communications professional and educator with extensive experience in sustainable development.
She is the current Head of Communications and Corporate Communications Manager at National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the principal agency tasked with the coordination, oversight, regulation, and monitoring of all environmental governance and activities in Uganda.
Education Background
Naomi Namara’s academic journey has equipped her with a strong background in communications and sustainability.
She holds a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Studies from London South Bank University (LSBU).
She is also a recognized development communicator and educator specializing in sustainable development.
Career and Professional Work Experience
Namara’s career has been primarily with NEMA, where she has been a consistent voice for sustainable environmental practices.
Since January 2007, she has played a vital role in managing NEMA’s public image as the Corporate Communications Manager. In this role, she oversees media relations and coordinates stakeholder engagements on environmental issues, including international governance negotiations.
She concurrently also serves as the spokesperson and Head of the Public Relations Unit for NEMA. She has articulated NEMA’s regulatory stance in high-visibility situations—such as commentary on wetland protection, flooding in Kampala, and plastic-bag bans.
Through her role, Namara has spearheaded communication campaigns aimed at curbing environmental degradation, advocating for the responsible utilization of natural resources, and educating the public on sustainable practices.
For instance, she spoke publicly when NEMA declared that wetlands alone cannot handle Kampala’s flood challenges, emphasizing the need for updated drainage infrastructure and sound planning.
Work experience background summary
| Years | Institution | Position |
| January 2007 – Present | National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) | Corporate Communications Manager |
Other Career Accomplishments
Naomi Namara Karekaho has represented Uganda at international forums and negotiations on environmental governance.
She has served as a Co-Facilitator at key sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)—the body tasked with developing the legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution.
She has spoken publicly on the importance of sustainability and individual responsibility in protecting the environment, noting that “Environment is no one’s property to destroy, it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect”.
In April 2025, she announced NEMA’s plans to map and gazette all wetlands to combat encroachment, reinforcing the authority’s commitment to environmental restoration.
In August 2025, she was welcomed as a new member of the League of East African Directors (LEAD), an organization for high-level directors across the region.
Achievements and Awards
As a female leader in Uganda’s environmental regulation sector, Naomi Namara Karekaho is recognized as part of the growing cohort of women occupying senior roles in conservation and environment-policy frameworks.
An article in Arise Magazine (2021) referenced her among women who contribute to Uganda’s environmental sustainability efforts.
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