Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi commonly known as Balaam[3][4] (born on July 28th, 1979) is a Ugandan Politician, businessman, music, and events promoter. He is the state minister for gender, labor, and social development in charge of children and youth affairs.
Balaam is also the CEO of the Balaam Group of companies, a conglomerate operating in Uganda and South Sudan and his investments are mainly in the areas of entertainment, broadcasting, real estate, manufacturing, hotels, and resorts.
Early life and education Balaam Barugahara
Dr.Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi was born July, 28,1979 (44 years ago) to late Engineer David Balaam Byenkya Akiiki of Kijura, Masindi District and Gladesi Byenkya Abwooli of Kalisizo District in Central Buganda. His father Mr. Davidson Balaam Byenkya Akiiki passed away in 1991 when he was still a young boy.
Education of Balaam Barugahara
He attended Namasagali School, St. John Bosco Senior Secondary School & Original Progressive Senior Secondary School for A’level. He then enrolled at Makerere University for a Bachelor of Commerce where he majored in Marketing, after, he did a Master of Business Administration (Marketing Option) at Cavendish University.
Business career of Balaam Barugahara
Balaam is the proprietor and owner of: Original Best Water company based in South Sudan, Radio One in South Sudan, the first privately owned media house he started in 2009. He is also the proprietor and Managing Director of Radio 4 (Uganda), Radio 7 (Masindi), Radio 8 (Masaka), and Radio 8 (Elgon region) and the MTN Uganda distributor for the Kigezi sub-region.
Balaam is a Real Estate Developer with hotels in Kampala and South Sudan, including a 5-star Hotel in Masindi, which was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in September 2022.
Political career of Balaam Barugahara
He was appointed by Yoweri Museveni as a state minister for gender, labor, and social development in charge of children and youth affairs on 21 March 2024.
Family
He has 13 siblings and he is the fifth child. His late father had 14 children. Balaam is father to Benta Karuhanga Abwooli, Biden Kamusiime Amooti, Brennan Kamukama Akiiki and Bennette Tumusiime Amooti. He lost his first son to cancer in 2013.
Awards and Honors
On February 21, 2023, Balaam was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humanity from Zoe Life Theological College, USA for changing and impacting the lives of Ugandans.
Networth
Balaam’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000 putting all his companies in consideration and the time he has spent being an events promoter. He has organized the most successful shows in Uganda.
