Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi commonly known as Balaam (born 28 July 1979) is a Ugandan politician, business man, music and events promoter. He serves as the Minister of Local Government in the cabinet of Uganda .He was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni on 26 May 2026 replacing Raphael Magyezi.
He previously served as the minister of state for gender, labour, and social development in charge of children and youth affairs from March 2024 to May 2026.
Balaam is also the CEO of Balaam group of companies, a conglomerate operating in Uganda and South Sudan and his investments are mainly in the areas of entertainments, broadcasting, real estate, manufacturing, hotels, and resorts.
Early life and education Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi was born on 28 July 1979 to late Engineer David Balaam Byenkya Akiiki of Kijura, Masindi District and Gladesi Byenkya Abwooli of Kalisizo in Central Buganda. His father, Davidson Balaam Byenkya Akiiki, died in 1991 when he was still a young boy.
Education He attended Namasagali School, St. John Bosco Senior Secondary School & Original Progressive Senior Secondary School for A'level. He then enrolled at Makerere University for Bachelor of Commerce where he majored in marketing, after, he did a Master of Business Administration (Marketing Option) at Cavendish University Uganda.
Business career
Balaam is the proprietor and owner of: Original Best Water company based in South Sudan, Radio One in South Sudan, the first privately owned media house he started in 2009. He is also the proprietor and Media group owner of Radio4 (Uganda), Radio1 (South Sudan), Radio 7 (Masindi), Radio8 (Masaka) and Radio3 and Radio 9 (Elgon region) and a leading distributor of MTN products in Uganda.
Balaam is a real estate developer with hotels in Kampala and South Sudan, including a 5 star hotel in Masindi, which was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in September 2022.
Political career
On 21 March 2024, he was appointed by Yoweri Museveni as a state minister for gender, labor and social development in charge of children and youth affairs.
Personal life He is the fifth child of 14. Balaam is father to three: Benta Karuhanga Abwooli, Bevan Brennan Kamukama Akiiki and Biden Kamusiime Amooti. His first son died of cancer in 2013.
Awards and honors On 21 February 2023, Balaam was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanity from Zoe Life Theological College, United States for changing and impacting the lives of Ugandans.
See also
Yoweri Museveni Justine Nameere
External links