KAMPALA, Uganda — Dr Arinaitwe Deo Rugyendo has been appointed Principal Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, adding a veteran journalist, media entrepreneur and communication scholar to the Speaker’s communications team.
Rugyendo reportedly picked up his appointment letter on Friday evening, with news of his appointment drawing congratulatory messages from colleagues and members of the public.
His appointment comes as Parliament’s leadership strengthens its communication and public engagement structures under the new Speaker who assumed office in May 2026.
Rugyendo brings more than two decades of experience in journalism, media management, research, communication and public engagement.
He was among the founders of Red Pepper, which began in 2001 after its founders, including Rugyendo, embarked on building a new newspaper enterprise. In a 2021 reflection on the newspaper’s 20-year journey, Rugyendo recalled how the venture grew from its early beginnings at Makerere University into one of Uganda’s prominent newspaper brands.
His career has also extended into digital media, research and education. Makerere University records show that Rugyendo defended his PhD in Journalism and Communication on January 30, 2026.
His doctoral research, titled “From Print to Digital: A Historical-Political Economy Narrative of the Emergence and Adoption of ePapers in the Ugandan Press,” examined the evolution of electronic newspapers and the changing media environment in Uganda.
The research has also been published in academic literature, examining the emergence and adoption of ePapers in Uganda and their role in sustaining traditional media functions amid digital transformation.
Journalism, STEM and sports leadership
Beyond mainstream journalism, Rugyendo has pursued projects in science, technology, education and entrepreneurship.
The African Leadership Institute lists him as the founder and managing director of e2 Young Engineers Uganda, a STEM education initiative that uses LEGO and robotics-based learning to equip children with practical skills in science and technology.
He has also been involved in research communication through ResearchFinds News, a platform established to make academic research more accessible to wider audiences.
Rugyendo’s professional experience has extended into sports administration. He has served as chairman of the Uganda Premier League Board, a position confirmed by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
He was retained as chairman of the Uganda Premier League board in 2023 after clubs elected the board for another four-year term.
His tenure in football administration has involved engagements on league governance, commercialisation and the development of Uganda’s top-flight football competition. FUFA records have previously identified him as chairman of the FUFA Super League Limited and Uganda Premier League Board.
New role in Parliament
As Principal Press Secretary, Rugyendo is expected to play a central role in managing media relations and public communication for the Speaker, including coordinating engagements with journalists and helping communicate the institution’s activities to the public.
His background in both traditional and digital journalism comes at a time when Parliament, like other public institutions, is increasingly communicating with citizens through multiple platforms beyond conventional news media.
His academic work on Uganda’s transition from print to digital journalism could also provide a foundation for navigating the rapidly changing media environment in which Parliament communicates with the public.
The appointment has been welcomed by colleagues and other observers, who have pointed to Rugyendo’s combination of newsroom experience, media entrepreneurship, academic research and institutional leadership.
With his appointment, Rugyendo moves from a career spent largely on the media and communication side of public discourse to a position at the centre of Parliament’s engagement with the media and the Ugandan public.
