Brand Africa 100 Awards: MTN, CocaCocla, Rwenzori Top Uganda’s Most Admired Brands

By Frank Kamuntu 

Brand Africa 100, the continent’s leading survey on the continent’s most admired brands, unveiled Uganda’s top-performing brands at a colourful ceremony at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Friday night.

The event, which attracted a high-profile gathering of business leaders, policymakers and innovators, was graced by State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon Godfrey Baluku Kabyanga, and MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Ms Sylvia Mulinge.

Now in its 15th year, Brand Africa 100 was founded in 2010 as a movement to inspire a brand-led African renaissance by enhancing competitiveness, building connections across the continent and projecting a positive African image globally. This year’s rankings are based on research conducted in 31 countries, covering 85 percent of Africa’s population and GDP.

Speaking at the Kampala gala, Brand Africa’s founder and chairman Thebe Ikalafeng said the study, which is entirely consumer-driven, remains a mirror of Africa’s brand reality. “Only 18 percent of the brands admired by Africans are made in Africa. That is the challenge before us. We must believe in Africa, because if we do not, we shall remain economically dependent,” he said.

He cited Kenya’s M-PESA, now operating in 11 countries, as an example of how African brands can scale globally, adding that Uganda too has promising homegrown names such as Movit, NBS, Centenary Bank and Rwenzori.

The Uganda edition was organised in partnership with Publics Africa Communications, a pan-African marketing and public relations agency. Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joseph Kanyamunyu, said the collaboration is aimed at elevating local brands to regional and continental stature. “When global and local brands work together, there is transfer of knowledge, growth in markets and a change in the narrative of Africa on the world stage,” he noted.

Minister Kabyanga, who represented ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi, congratulated both local and international brands recognised on the night. He singled out cosmetics manufacturer Movit for its steady growth, and lauded telecom giant MTN Uganda for its tax contribution and service reach. “This recognition will intensify competition among brands, improve services and expand networks, which is what our country needs,” he said, adding that Uganda’s liberalised economy and prevailing peace provide a strong environment for brand growth.

Friday’s event follows the continental launch of the 2025 rankings in May at the historic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—the birthplace of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. The roadshow has since travelled through several countries, with Morocco and Algeria slated to host the North African editions in the coming weeks.

For Uganda, the Serena Hotel showcase not only celebrated consumer favourites but also underscored the wider challenge: turning admired domestic names into continental champions that shape Africa’s narrative from within.

Below Is A Full List Of Uganda’s Most Admired Brand In 2025 Ranking: