Uganda’s marketing industry is set to celebrate a major milestone as the Uganda Marketing Excellence Awards (UMEAs) turn five this year. The prestigious event — organized by Evolve Group Africa — will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, under the theme “Celebrating Sustainable Marketing Excellence.”
Now in its fifth year, the UMEAs have evolved into Uganda’s leading platform for recognizing innovation, creativity, and impact in marketing. The 2025 edition seeks to highlight how brands and agencies are using sustainability-driven strategies and digital transformation to create campaigns that inspire both social and business progress.
In the lead-up to the main awards, organizers will host a State of the Marketing Address, a high-level dialogue that will bring together senior marketing executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss trends shaping Uganda’s marketing landscape.
The event will also feature the launch of the State of Marketing Report 2025, a comprehensive publication offering data-driven insights and projections to guide marketing strategies for the coming year.
“The report will provide actionable insights for marketers and agencies looking to adapt to an increasingly digital and sustainability-conscious market,”
said Paul Businge, Co-Founder of Evolve Africa, during a media briefing in Kampala.
Since their inception in 2021, the UMEAs have celebrated brands that exemplify creativity, resilience, and effective communication, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the awards have helped elevate industry standards and foster collaboration across the marketing ecosystem.
This year, a new category — the “Brand of the Year Award” — will be introduced to recognize organizations that have demonstrated exceptional innovation, ethical practices, and lasting impact.
Award winners will be determined through a transparent voting process, with the Evolve Marketing Council holding 60% of the vote, while the public will contribute 40% through online and SMS voting platforms.
I&M Bank, a consistent supporter of the UMEAs, is among this year’s key partners. The bank, which won the 2024 Advertising Campaign of the Year Award for its “I&M at 50” campaign, continues to lead in sustainable marketing through initiatives such as the Express Go Account, Tukikube Ne I&M SME campaign, and its partnership with UGEFA to support green enterprises.
“At I&M Bank, sustainability means doing business in a way that helps people, businesses, and the planet thrive — now and in the future,”
said Annette Nakiyaga, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at I&M Bank.
“This year’s UMEAs theme perfectly aligns with our vision of responsible growth and innovation.”
Other corporate partners for the 2025 edition include Centenary Bank, Equity Bank, and several leading media, telecom, and FMCG brands.
From its modest beginnings, the UMEAs have become a cornerstone of Uganda’s marketing calendar — celebrating over 200 campaigns, training hundreds of young marketers, and driving conversations around ethics, sustainability, and digital transformation in brand communication.
The awards have also inspired regional participation, with agencies from Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania joining recent editions, signaling Uganda’s growing influence in the East African marketing space.
“The growth of the UMEAs reflects the evolution of Uganda’s marketing industry into a globally competitive, innovation-driven sector,”
Businge added. “We’re not just rewarding excellence — we’re building a community that values creativity, accountability, and impact.”
As the awards mark their fifth anniversary, expectations are high that the 2025 ceremony will be the most ambitious yet — blending celebration with reflection on how far Uganda’s marketing ecosystem has come.
Organizers say the event will also serve as a networking hub for agencies, brands, academia, and tech innovators looking to collaborate on projects that advance sustainability and digital inclusion.
About the Uganda Marketing Excellence Awards (UMEAs):
Launched in 2021 by Evolve Group Africa, the UMEAs were born out of a need to recognize marketing professionals and campaigns that made a difference during the COVID-19 era. Over the years, the awards have grown into a continental benchmark for excellence in marketing communication, brand building, and innovation.
