Ssentongo is an associate professor at Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), where he founded and chaired the Center for African Studies. 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. [7]
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. [4]
Ssentongo collaborated with Ruth Murambadoro, a Zimbabwean feminist scholar on African and transnational feminisms through a panel discussion and creative exhibition events hosted by York University’s Centre for Feminist Research in October 2025. [8]
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.
- #KampalaPotholeExhibition: Started in April 2023, this campaign exposed the poor state of roads in Uganda's capital, Kampala. Citizens shared thousands of images of potholes, which generated widespread media coverage and public debate. The campaign prompted a direct response from President Yoweri Museveni, who ordered the release of funds for road repairs. [9] [10]
- #UgandaHealthExhibition: Following the success of the first campaign, Ssentongo initiated an exhibition focused on the dilapidated state of Uganda's healthcare system. Citizens shared images of underfunded and poorly equipped hospitals, which led to responses from health ministry officials. [11]
- #UgandaParliamentExhibition: In 2024, Ssentongo, alongside journalist Agather Atuhaire and other activists, co-led his most high-profile campaign. The exhibition used leaked documents to expose alleged corruption, nepotism, and extravagant expenditure within the Parliament of Uganda. The campaign dominated national discourse for weeks and led to increased public scrutiny of parliamentary administration and finances. [12]
- #StopAirtelTheft Campaign: In August 2025, Ssentongo launched theis campaign on X (formerly Twitter) after alleging that his brother’s Airtel Money account was fraudulently accessed and emptied following the theft of his phone. He accused Airtel Uganda of negligence and possible insider involvement, and invited other customers to share similar experiences. The campaign quickly gained traction, with numerous users posting accounts of unresolved mobile-money fraud, leading to national discussions on telecom accountability and consumer protection in Uganda. [13]
- In November 2025, with an interim injunction, Kampala International University (KIU) filed a defamation lawsuit against Jim Spire over students and staff grievances [14]
As a result of his activism, Ssentongo has reported receiving numerous threats against his life including legal lawsuits. [1] [15]
