Brian Muhumuza Bishanga

Last updated
Brian Muhumuza Bishanga
Brian Bishanga 2025.jpg
Brian Bishanga in 2025
Born
Brian Muhumuza Bishanga

(1993-08-04) August 4, 1993 (age 32)
Other namesBryan Morel
Alma mater Makerere University
OccupationsPublicist, philanthropist, youth activist
Years active2014–present
Known forBM Publications
Kyarimpa Cares
Website muhumuzabrian.com

Brian Muhumuza Bishanga (born 4 August 1993), professionally known as Bryan Morel, is a Ugandan publicist, philanthropist, youth diplomat, and founder of BM Publications and Kyarimpa Cares. [1] He gained recognition for his extensive work in public relations, talent management, and humanitarian initiatives with a focus on children's welfare, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment across Africa.

Contents

Early life and education

Brian was born in Mbarara, Uganda, to Abel Muhumuza and Jovia Kyarimpa. He has five siblings: Prim Ahumuza, Doreen Arinda, Annabel Nuwarinda, Oliviath Namugerwa, and Reagan Mugerwa. At eight months old, he lost his father in a fatal motor accident. He was raised by his uncle, Yowath Mugizi Bishanga, who instilled in him religious values, humility, resilience, and discipline. [2]

He attended Lyakisana Primary School (1996–2006), St. Gonzaga Secondary School Kijjukizo (2007–2010), and Sseke SS High School (2011–2012), where he served as a magazine sub-editor. He later enrolled at Makerere University (2013–2016), where he pursued a diploma in Project Planning and Management. During his school years, he showed an early passion for writing, editing, and peer education.

Career

Public relations and management

During his university years, Brian gained practical experience as an intern at Banda Community ICT Centre, where he organised student debates and university alumni conferences. In 2015, he was selected as a judge at the Sing For Fame music competition in Kampala. He also volunteered with Diva Awards Afrika, helping coordinate the pre-season launch party honouring Juliana Kanyomozi, Halima Namakula, and other Ugandan entertainers.

His first major assignment was representing French-Ugandan singer Iryn Namubiru and her management at the Airtel Women's Day Concert on 8 March 2014 at Kampala Garden City, headlined by Jamaican artist Nyanda Thorbourne of Brick & Lace. This helped him build valuable industry connections. [3]

He later worked with high-profile entertainers including Jackie Chandiru (former Blu*3 member), Angella Katatumba, Desire Luzinda, Sheilah Gashumba, Judith Heard, Claudia Naisabwa, and others. His roles included personal and executive assistance, promotions management, event coordination, and media liaison work. [4]

Professional projects and campaigns

Brian played key roles in organizing major campaigns and events such as the Angella Katatumba Mulago Yaffe Charity Concert in 2016, which raised over 25 million UGX for the Uganda Cancer Institute. He coordinated correspondence for Katatumba's attendance and performance at the United Nations World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, the African Union symposium in Nairobi, and a music performance at the African Gala show in Vienna in 2017. He also coordinated the launch of the Desire Luzinda Foundation and sanitary pad donations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019, he pitched and coordinated the Tecno Mobile endorsement deal for Sheilah Gashumba, promoting the Camon 12 phone series. In 2024, he secured Judith Heard's induction at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where she was honoured among young leaders driving political, social, and environmental solutions.

He expanded his clientele internationally, managing public relations for figures like Jerry Fisayo Bambi (France/Nigeria), Sara Mulindwa (UK), Basil David Anthony (Ghana), and Atong Amos Juac (South Sudan). His work has also involved partnerships with various corporate brands and cultural institutions across Africa. [5]

BM Publications

In 2021, Brian founded Bryan Morel Publications, later rebranded to BM Publications (BMP), a multidisciplinary consultancy specializing in brand support, media campaigns, influencer marketing, digital content creation, executive assistance, and reputation management. [6] BMP has helped numerous artists, thought leaders, nonprofit entities, and NGOs achieve prominent media visibility on platforms such as BBC, CNN, Teen Vogue, Euronews, Voice of America, Getty Images, New Vision, and Daily Monitor.

BMP's services also include crafting Electronic Press Kits (EPKs), Wikipedia editorial content, and award nomination support. The agency has been credited with bridging the gap between independent creators and global promotional opportunities.

Humanitarian work

Kyarimpa Cares

In 2021, Brian founded Kyarimpa Cares, a nonprofit organization named after his mother. The organisation is dedicated to championing the rights and well-being of children, the elderly, refugees, and women empowerment. It specializes in environmental conservation, community engagement, and social welfare, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [7]

Kyarimpa Cares' efforts include fundraising for hospitals, supporting menstrual health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continuous charitable giving such as serving Thanksgiving dinners to his neighbourhood annually.

In December 2023, Kyarimpa Cares collaborated with musician Rickman Manrick and poultry supplier Yo Kuku! on a Christmas charity event called "Ndi Muto", donating over 1,000 kilograms of chicken to residents of Bakuli in Kampala. [8]

In 2025, Kyarimpa Cares partnered with Lumala Abdu Youth Impact, AVSI Foundation, and UNHCR in the Game Connect programme, a sports-based mental health intervention at Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Kikuube District. The initiative provided sports kits, mentorship, and activities promoting psychosocial resilience among over 2,000 youth aged 10–25. [9] [10] [11]

Environmental advocacy

In 2022, Brian served as national director for Judith Heard at the Miss Environment International pageant in Mumbai, India, where he spearheaded plastic collection, recycling, and tree planting campaigns. He publicised the "50 Million Trees for Africa" afforestation initiative launched by the Judith Heard Foundation. [12]

On 31 March 2024, he partnered with the National Forestry Authority of Uganda, Buluma Samba Foundation, and Judith Heard Foundation to airlift and plant over 2,000 fruit and medicinal tree seedlings at Life 4 Kids Home School in Kitengela, Kenya. He advocates for a zero-waste lifestyle, water conservation, and sustainable living practices as part of his commitment to climate change mitigation. [13] [14]

Youth diplomacy

Brian has served as Uganda's youth envoy to several international forums, including the United Nations Best Diplomats Simulation Conference in Bangkok, Thailand (2022), and the International Youth Conference in New York City (2022), organised by Generation Next in collaboration with the Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, with support from the United Nations Department of Global Communications and UN-Habitat. His diplomatic work centers on youth empowerment, global governance, refugee policy, climate action, and sustainable development. [15]

Personal life

Brian enjoys creative writing, reading memoirs, music critique, horticulture, and cooking. He practises transcendental meditation. His eclectic taste in music ranges from African artists to international stars such as Jennifer Hudson, James Ingram, Mariah Carey, Sfiso Ncwane, Whitney Houston, and Luther Vandross. Despite his high-profile career, he maintains a humble and discreet personality, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, empathy, and authenticity in his work and relationships. [16]

He has spoken publicly about experiencing depressive episodes and anxiety, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for mental health awareness in media interviews.

Awards and recognition

References

  1. "Bryan Morel Biography, Family, Early Life and Education". Homekazi Media. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  2. "Interview: Meet Bryan Morel, Angella Katatumba's promotions manager and a rising music publicist". Big Eye. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  3. "Brian Muhumuza on the highs and lows of working with celebrities". The Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  4. "Bryan Morel Muhumuza is new manager of Jackie Chandiru". Howwe. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  5. "Brian welcoming Basil David Anthony for the Africa's Next Young Millionaire reality show".
  6. "Why Bryan Morel's clients scooped five awards at Africa Forty Under 40". Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  7. "AFROPA Awards Honors Muhumuza Brian in Nairobi, Kenya". Kampala Edge Times. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  8. "Kyarimpa Cares collaborates with Rickman and Yo Kuku!". Daily Express Uganda.
  9. "Kyarimpa Cares partners with Lumala Abdu Youth Impact, AVSI Foundation, and UNHCR in the Game Connect programme". SoftPower News.
  10. "Lumala Abdu champions refugee empowerment". The Kampala Report.
  11. "Lumala Abdu Champions Refugee Empowerment through new NGO". Kampala Edge Times.
  12. "Judith Heard Foundation" . Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  13. "Socialite Judith Heard pushes 50 million for Africa campaign ahead of Green Fashion Awards in the U.S.A." ChimpReports.
  14. "Judith Heard Foundation conserves the environment; Plants trees in a bid to celebrate Independence". Umoja Standard.
  15. "Ugandan named among UN Best Diplomats". KFM. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  16. "Angela Katatumba manager Bryan Muhumuza in a rare PDA". Howwe. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  17. "Forty Under 40 Africa: 126 nominees shortlisted from 24 countries ahead of 2023 edition in South Africa". My Joy Online. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  18. "Honoured at AFROPA: Ugandan recipient Brian Muhumuza". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  19. "Nominees for The Future Awards Africa 2023".