For the biggest majority in Ugabda, incoming junior Gender Minister, Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi is most known for his impecable profile in events Management.
Balam has for nearly two decades established himself as one of the most influential events organisers the country has ever had, being at the forefront of most of the biggest events organised by the government he has ardently mobilised for.
In one of the revelations that will perhaps shock anyone, Balaam’s events Management fame has widely been attributable to the benevolence of veteran opposition leader, Col Dr Kizza Besigye upon which the new minister rode on his journey to the top.
In 2004, when the opposition Forum for Democratic Change( FDC) had just been registered, Balam sought audience with the veteran politician and proposed a mega bash to launch the party. Col Besigye and his other lieutenants at the new party needed a lot of convincing in making case for the bash which many didn’t find priority. However, Balam was finally able to achieve his goal to set a mega launch event at Nakivubo stadium.
” We had just registered the party in 2004. He offered to organise the launch and Col Besigye allowed him to. He invited many artistes and the event was glamorous. ” Augustine Ojobile, the FDC Admnistrator at Najjanankumbi relives the historical event of that year.
Ojobile, however, noted that Balam was not paid for the event by the party neither was there gate collections. ” The party just facilitated according to the budget that was proposed by the upcoming events organiser.” Ojobile notes.
The Nakivubo FDC launch marked a turning point in Balam( now Minister)’s life in events Management. He attained snergies with big names in the industry, including Abbey Musinguzi who groomed him for bigger things.
Balaam would go on to organise many events for FDC which obviously left him with a wet beak. His association with Besigye who was a very popular figure in Kampala and the rest of the country’s urban centres did his trade justice as the number of bookings tremendously increased.
NRM Swings Into Action
Having witnessed the fame Balaam had attained and his importance to Besigye, the ruling side dispatched emissaries to try and snatch him from their fierce rival, Besigye’s grip. Amama Mbabazi who had earlier tried his luck on Balam through late Noble Mayombo tried again towards the end of 2004, this time winning the battle.
Balaam has been an unlikely prominent figure in NRM to whom many go in quest for audience with the President. Through his top notch mobilisation, figures like Catherine Kusasira, Moses Ssali, aka Bebe Cool, Ronald Mayinja, Ashburg Kato, Mark Bugembe, alias Buchaman, among others have found themselves in the grip of the ruling side.
