If the first four parts of this MadMen, Dreamers and Deal-Makers series were about the machine, how it was built from accidents, battered by economics, bruised by burnout, and handed to a new generation, this part is about something stranger. What happens when the machine learns to think? Not “think” like a creative director pacing in Kololo at 2 am, or a media buyer staring at a GRP spreadsheet. Think in code. In predictions. In prompts. When the tools you once used to execute your ideas start quietly suggesting ideas of their own. For nearly four decades, Uganda’s advertising engine…
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The first three parts of MadMen, Dreamers and Deal-Makers were about how the machine was built, broken, and survived. This part is about who is going to drive it next. Not the men who stumbled into advertising from pharmacies, cricket grounds, and cyber cafés. Not the founders who mortgaged their futures on six-month UMA leases and second-hand laptops. They are still here, still at the wheel, but there is a new crowd climbing aboard. They were born after the first MTN billboard went up. They grew up with Facebook, not 30-second TV spots. They have never known a world where…
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If the first part of this series was about how the madmen stumbled into the machine, and the second about how the money broke it, this part is about what the machine does to the people inside it. Not the awards. Not the case studies. The bodies. The marriages. The minds. On a pitch night in Kampala, somewhere between midnight and 3 am, the city goes quiet, but the minds behind the advertising agencies get louder. A designer is on revision 17 of a key visual. A copywriter is arguing with themselves over whether “unlock” or “unleash” feels more premium….
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If Uganda had built a proper advertising pipeline, this story would be very boring. There would be brochures in Senior Six career offices defining “account management.” Parents would nod proudly when their children said, “I want to be a copywriter.” Makerere would have a Faculty of Integrated Communications and Creative Strategy. There’d be a predictable path: degree, internship, junior role, promotion. Instead, the people who built this industry came in through side doors. One thought “copywriting” was about copyright law. Another was meant to be a pharmacist. One was headed for law before veering into fine art. Another walked into…
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The Uganda Advertising Association (UAA), in partnership with The Loeries, has today unveiled the Silverback Creative Week, a six day transformative schedule of learning and events that are set to…
Rommel is not just an agency executive—he is a builder of people, a steward of industry values, and a tireless advocate for collaboration over competition. His story is one of resilience, reinvention, and responsibility—exactly the kind of leadership the industry needs now. This is Rommel Jasi, the Ugandan adman who believes legacy is not in campaigns alone—but in the systems, people, and values you leave behind. To begin, let’s talk about your journey. How did you find your way into the industry? Was it a deliberate career choice, or did you land in it by chance? Take us back to…
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As founder, partner, and now chairman of multiple agencies within the TBWA\Omnicom Africa network, Case has championed local talent, stood toe-to-toe with multinational giants, and helped establish industry bodies like the Uganda Advertising Association. In this conversation with Muhereza Kyamutetera, he reflects on defining campaigns, the importance of mentorship, the pressures of leadership, and his vision for positioning Uganda as a continental hub for world-class creative work. What was the Ugandan advertising scene like when you first got involved? Back in 1988, I had the fantastic opportunity to intern at MCL McCann, where I had the privilege of working alongside…
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Advertisers, Marketers unveil 3rd edition of the annual industry Silverback Awards Uganda Advertising Association (UAA) in partnership with Loeries and the Uganda Marketers Society (UMS) have officially unveiled the 3rd edition of the Silverback Awards 2024 to be held on Saturday, 23rd November 2024 under the theme, ‘Innovative Sustainable Marketing: Harnessing Ethics, Impact, and Profitability in the Digital Age.’ The theme underscores the critical role of ethical advertising and marketing practices to not only drive profitability, but also have a positive impact on society and the environment. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, this theme invites participants to explore…
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Uganda Advertising Association’s (UAA) –Young Silverback Competition, the Digital category has received UGX 5 million boost from KCB Bank Uganda for the initial Young Silverback competition. The Young Silverback Competition is an initiative by UAA that aims to create a platform for young creatives to showcase their skills, identify and nurture talent in the advertising industry by bridging the gap between brands and young creatives. Commenting about the Bank’s support, Sylvia Nashuha, Marketing Manager, Corporate & Business at KCB Bank Uganda said, “We are pleased to collaborate with UAA to foster an environment that mentors and encourages the growth of…
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Uganda Advertising Association, an umbrella organization uniting Creative Communication, Advertising and Media Agencies in the country, has officially been appointed as the official Cannes Lions Festival representation in Uganda by Ascential Events (Europe) Ltd, the official organizers of the global Festival and Awards. Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a global annual event aimed at recognizing, empowering and upskilling participants while aiming to streamline and professionalize the global advertising and creative communications industry. With this appointment, Uganda Advertising Association will be responsible for running promotional activities intended to encourage new and continued entries in the Festivals, increase the number…
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