Who is Odrek Rwabwogo?: Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, family, wife, tribe, relationship with Patience Kokundeka Rwabwogo, the late Thomas Rwabwogo, the late Mrs. Erina Kebihembo Rwabwogo, Mr. James Tumusiime, Penina, work and experience, early life and education of the CEO of TERP and TOMOSI Group of Companies.
Odrek Rwabwogo also known as Odrek Mugisha Rwabwogo is an author, farmer, businessman, ideologue, instructor, and Special Advisor to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
He is the chairperson of The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID).
Mr. Rwabwogo is also The CEO of Terp Media and Thomas Group, which employs thousands of Ugandans in industries like manufacturing, construction, real estate, security, and travel.
Early Life
Odrek Rwabwogo was born on September 17, 1969, as the fifth child in a family of seven children.
He was born and raised in Naama, Kinoni Sub County, Nyabushozi Constituency, Kiruhura district.
Education Background
Odrek completed his elementary education at Naama Primary School in 1982, earning his Primary Leaving Education Certificate.
After being late for admission at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School, he attended Kako Secondary School.
Following two A’ Level exams at Mbarara High School in 1989 and 1990, Rwabwogo was accepted to Makerere University to study political science and economics.
He received financial aid to attend Cardiff University in Wales, where he earned a master’s degree in media studies and journalism.
Education background summary
| Years | Institution | Status /Award |
| 1982 | Naama Primary School | PLE |
| 1987 | Kako Secondary School | UCE |
| 1989 and 1990 | Mbarara High School | UACE |
| Makerere University | Political science and economics | |
| Cardiff University | Master’s degree in media studies and journalism |
University Life
While on campus, he wanted to contest for guild president and when his friends did not believe in him, he introduced Charles Rwomushana who campaigned as the representative of the needy students.
When they won the elections, Rwabwogo was made the minister for national pan-African affairs.
He later resigned when he believed Rwomushana had used guild money to buy a car.
Odrek later became the Speaker of the national students’ council.
He began the pan-African movement chapter at the university and was a very active member.
Family Background
Odrek Rwabwogo was born to the late Thomas Rwabwogo and the late Mrs. Erina Kebihembo Rwabwogo who were simple peasants with a little plot of land.
The East African Christian revival movement transformed his parents and it changed them entirely. They lived in a big spherical grass-thatched house by the time he was born.
None of his parents attended school; instead, they learned to read and write at church.
Sadly, Odrek lost his father when he was 12 and his mother when he was 16.
Marriage / Relationship
Odrek Rwabwogo got married on July 20, 2002, to Pastor Patience Kokundeka Rwabwogo, the second daughter of President Museveni.
At their Buziga residence in Kampala, Pastor Patience oversees the Covenant of Apostles of God, an upscale Pentecostal congregation.
The couple is happily married and has four children; two girls and two boys.
Career and Professional Work Experience
While still a student, Odrek Rwabogo received his first employment offer from Mr. James Tumusiime of Fountain Publishers to research Uganda. Later, he became a freelancer for New Vision.
He was a skilled mobilizer who gave his all to the NRA/M during the mobilization efforts for the CA-Constitution Assembly.
While at Cardiff University he spent nine months working as a security guard in the UK, and on the weekends he worked in a tyre factory.
Soon after returning to Uganda, he collected some money, bought a computer and other stationary items, and launched his own company, “TERP MEDIA”.
“Thomas Erina, Rwabwogo, and Penina” is what TERP stands for. He gave it the name in honour of his parents and older sister Penina, who left school so he would pursue his education.
He ran against Rtd Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza in 2015 for the post of NRM Western Region Chairperson.
After complaining and threatening to quit President Yoweri K. Museveni’s NRM party, CEC members declined to remove him from the race.
He was given special tasks as H.E. President Yoweri K. Museveni’s adviser in July 2021.
His work primarily focuses on advancing Uganda on the international scene, boosting exports (especially in the agricultural sector), and putting in place training initiatives for the populace.
Work experience background summary
| Years | Institution | Position |
| Present | TERP MEDIA | CEO |
| Present | Tomosi Group of enterprises | CEO |
| 2021 – Present | Government of Uganda | Presidential adviser |
Other Career Accomplishments
Odrek Rwabwogo is also an author of the book; Uganda Districts Information Handbook 2005-2006.
He is also a celebrated author of several short stories.
Achievements and Awards
Odrek Rwabwogo is considered one of Uganda’s most accomplished businessmen, having established, managed, and grown numerous profitable enterprises over more than 20 years.
His business interests include the Tomosi Group of enterprises, from security and tourism to agriculture.
An expert in leadership communications, Odrek often conducts training seminars where CEOs exchange best practices for running and growing a company.
Controversies
Odrek Rwabwogo sued Beti Kamya, a publicist for Forum for Democratic Change, in October 2005, for alleging that he was responsible for the contentious television tax.
Since Kamya’s comments from August 22 were reported by newspapers and broadcast on multiple radio stations, Rwabwogo filed a lawsuit at the High Court, claiming that they defamed him.
According to allegations, Odrek paid a prominent opposition leader $630,000 in 2011 to have him withdraw from the national elections.
The offer was made in a café on January 5, 2011, according to Francis Atugonza, the town mayor and trade spokesman for the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Rwabogo also invited him to appear at a Museveni rally.
Odrek later acknowledged having met the opposition candidate, but he claimed not to have made any bribes.
Odrek Rwabwogo was called before Parliament’s Committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) in 2016 as part of its probe into UBC, the state broadcaster’s mismanagement.
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