Jimmy Spire Ssentongo

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Jimmy Spire Ssentongo
Jimmy Spire Ssentogo Receiving an Award during Human Rights Convention 2023.jpg
Ssentongo speaking in 2023
Born (1979-08-14) August 14, 1979 (age 46)
NationalityUgandan
Education
Occupations
Years active2005–present
Employer(s) Uganda Martyrs University
Makerere University
Known for
  • Editorial cartooning
  • Online anti-corruption campaigns

Jimmy Spire Ssentongo (born 14 August 1979) is a Ugandan academic, columnist, editorial cartoonist, author, and anti-corruption activist. He is an associate professor of Ethics and Identity Studies at Uganda Martyrs University and also teaches Ethics and Research Methods at Makerere University. [1] [2]

Contents

Ssentongo is known for his editorial cartoons in The Observer newspaper and for spearheading a series of high-impact online campaigns using social media to expose alleged corruption and maladministration in Ugandan public institutions. [3]

Early life and education

Jimmy Spire Ssentongo holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Humanistic Studies from the University of Humanistic Studies in the Netherlands, which he defended in 2015. [2] His academic qualifications also include a Master of Arts in Ethics and Public Management from Makerere University, a Master of Science in Education for Sustainability from London South Bank University (as a Commonwealth Fellow), a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, and a diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the Apostles of Jesus Philosophicum in Nairobi. [4]

He has undertaken post-doctoral fellowships as a visiting research fellow at the Centre for African Studies at the University of Cambridge and as a research fellow on the African Humanities Program. [2] [5]

Career

Academic and media career

Ssentongo is an associate professor at Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), where he founded and chaired the Center for African Studies. At UMU, he also serves as an editor for the university's monograph series. Concurrently, he teaches ethics and research methodology at the Department of Philosophy at Makerere University. [2] His academic research focuses on ethics, identity studies, pluralism, and decolonization. [6]

Since 2005, Ssentongo has been the editorial cartoonist for The Observer newspaper, where he also writes a regular column. His cartoons use satire and visual commentary to address issues of governance, corruption, and human rights in Uganda. [3]

Online activism and social media campaigns

In 2023, Ssentongo began using social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to launch a series of "exhibitions", online campaigns that crowdsource photographic and documented evidence from citizens to highlight systemic failures.

As a result of his activism, Ssentongo has reported receiving numerous threats against his life. [1] [12]

Awards and recognition

Ssentongo has received several awards for his work as a cartoonist, academic, and human rights defender.

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2016Uganda National Journalism AwardsEditorial CartooningCartoons for The ObserverRunner-up [13]
2021 Janzi Awards Outstanding CartoonistEditorial CartooningWon [14]
Outstanding Non-Fiction WriterHimselfNominated [15]
2023Civil Liberties AwardDefending Civil LibertiesActivismWon [16]
2023National Human Rights Defenders AwardHuman Rights Defender of the YearActivismWon [17]
2024EU Human Rights Defenders AwardOutstanding Contribution to Human RightsActivismWon [18]

Publications

Personal life

Ssentongo is married to Diana Nampijja, who is a lecturer in the Department of Adult and Community Education at Makerere University. [19] They married in 2012. [20]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Kakembo, Muhammad (31 May 2023). "Dr Spire: Threats to my life are serious but I won't quit". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Learn More about Jimmy Spire Ssentongo" . Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 "'Humour is powerful': Cartoons take on Uganda's repressive government". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  4. Ssali, Zaam (1 November 2023). "HURIPECTalks: A Podcast by HURIPEC". Makerere University News. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  5. "Prof. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo – Uganda Martyrs University". Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  6. Sserunkuma, Yusuf (17 May 2023). "Spire Ssentongo and the difficult life of an activist". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  7. "#KampalaPotholeExhibition". Daily Monitor. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  8. "Museveni orders release of Sh6 billion for Kampala roads". The Independent Uganda. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  9. "Ugandan Cartoonist Highlights Poor Health Care Via Social Media". Voice of America. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  10. "How social media 'exhibited' Parliament's dirty linen". Daily Monitor. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  11. Isaac, Odwako O. (11 August 2025). "Jim Spire Ssentongo Shakes Airtel Uganda with #StopAirtelTheft Campaign". Nymy Net.
  12. Isaac, Odwako O. (13 August 2025). "Jim Spire Subject to Legal Action Over #StopAirtelTheft Campaign - Airtel PR". Nymy Net.
  13. team, ACME (8 April 2016). "Uganda National Journalism Awards 2016 shortlist announced". African Centre for Media Excellence. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  14. Ruby, Josh (13 December 2021). "Janzi Awards 2021: Full List of Winners". MBU. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  15. Musoke, David (12 December 2021). "Prof. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo wins Janzi Award". Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  16. "Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo Gets Two Human Rights Defense Awards". Makerere University CHUSS. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  17. Hakim, Kanyere (9 December 2023). "Cartoonist Spire Ssentongo wins human rights defender's award". The Nile Post. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  18. "Dr Spire wins EU Human Rights Award". Daily Monitor. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  19. "Nampijja Dianah". Paradigm for Social Justice & Development. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  20. Mulumba, Abu-Baker (14 August 2012). "Wedding: Talented Ssentongo designed his shirts and maids' dresses". The Observer – Uganda. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.