Standard Chartered Bank Uganda has appointed Next Media Group Chief Executive Officer Kin Kariisa to its Board, further strengthening the bank’s governance and strategic leadership bench with one of Uganda’s most prominent media and technology entrepreneurs.
Kariisa joins the board as a Non-Executive Director, becoming part of a distinguished leadership team chaired by former Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka and comprising accomplished professionals from banking, academia, corporate governance, finance, and regional business leadership.
His appointment marks another significant milestone in the evolution of Kariisa from media entrepreneur to influential corporate governance figure within Uganda’s boardroom ecosystem.
With more than 27 years of experience spanning finance, technology, media, and digital transformation, Kariisa is best known for building Next Media into one of Uganda’s leading multimedia companies. Under his leadership, the group has expanded into a diverse media ecosystem that includes NBS TV, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, AfroMobile, Nile Post, and several digital-first platforms.
The appointment also signals Standard Chartered’s growing emphasis on innovation, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, and future-focused leadership as the banking industry rapidly evolves in response to technology, fintech disruption, and changing customer behavior.
Kariisa brings to the board deep expertise in digital communication, audience engagement, ICT, information systems, and corporate strategy—areas increasingly critical to modern banking institutions navigating a competitive and technology-driven environment.
A Harvard-trained strategist and Stanford Seed alumnus, Kariisa has built a reputation as one of Uganda’s most influential corporate leaders, blending media innovation with public engagement and governance advocacy. Beyond his role at Next Media, he has previously served as a Special Presidential Assistant on ICT and lectured in e-Government and Information Security.
He has also led several high-impact social campaigns through Next Media, including Tuve ku Kaveera, Beera Steady, and DisMis Fake News, initiatives aimed at promoting environmental awareness, financial literacy, responsible citizenship, and media credibility.
At Standard Chartered Uganda, Kariisa joins a board that includes Maria Kiwanuka, Prof. Dorothy Kabagaju Okello, Matthias Nalyanya, Moses Ssebugwawo, Rola Abu Manneh, Kelvin Musana, Sanjay Rughani, and Charles Katongole Mbidde.
Industry observers say his appointment reflects a broader trend where financial institutions are increasingly bringing leaders from technology, media, and innovation sectors into governance structures to strengthen strategic thinking, customer relevance, and digital competitiveness.
As a Non-Executive Director, Kariisa will not be involved in the day-to-day management of the bank. Instead, his role will focus on providing independent oversight, strategic guidance, governance support, and long-term institutional stewardship.
The appointment further expands Kariisa’s influence within East Africa’s corporate leadership landscape and reinforces his growing profile as a governance-focused executive shaping conversations beyond media into finance, innovation, and institutional leadership.
