The Ugandan advertising fraternity came together in an emotionally charged memorial service to honour the late Frank Muthusi, a visionary leader whose influence shaped the country's creative and communications industry for nearly two decades.
Hosted at the Fireworks Advertising headquarters in Kampala—where Muthusi served as Group CEO until his passing on August 19, 2024—the memorial gathered staff members, close friends, and peers from across the industry to celebrate a man remembered as much for his humility and mentorship as for his business acumen.
Described by colleagues as a passionate advocate for youth development and a champion of creativity, Muthusi’s legacy was formally institutionalized during the event with the introduction of the Frank Muthusi Foundation.
The foundation announced its first major initiative: an inaugural thanksgiving dinner and fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025, at Saladin Media Offices in Kampala.
Proceeds from the event will go toward programs that reflect Muthusi’s lifelong commitment to leadership, talent development, and innovation in the creative arts.
During the service, Rommel Jasi, current Chairman of the Uganda Advertising Association (UAA), reflected on Muthusi’s transformative leadership during his tenure as UAA Chairman.
“Frank is gone, but the legacy continues,” Jasi said. “He was a force who set the stage for a lot of work yet to be done. Through this Foundation, we will continue the mission he started—not only for the industry but also for the many lives he touched.”
Denise Kayiraba, Business Unit Head – PR at Brainchild Burson and a former colleague, delivered a moving tribute, describing Muthusi’s leadership style as grounded in empathy and vision.
“Frank believed in progress over perfection. He encouraged consistent steps forward and gave people the freedom to grow,” she shared. “He nurtured talent without judgment and mentored many of us into the professionals we are today. His impact is woven into our daily work.”
Adding spiritual reflection to the occasion, Pastor Henry Mugisha, Founder and Team Leader of Community Life, delivered a sermon drawn from 2 Timothy 4:6–8. He commended Fireworks Advertising for keeping Muthusi’s memory alive, stating that honoring the past is a mark of organizations that thrive.
“Remembering others is great. People who forget are very dangerous. Fireworks is on the right track—it will continue to grow because of this act of remembrance,” Pastor Mugisha said.
He urged attendees to reflect deeply on how they live and how they wish to be remembered.
“The best way to have a life worth living is to have a death worth dying. Do small things that leave a big impact. Ask yourself: what will you do to be remembered like Frank?”
The service also featured a tribute from Paul Mwirigi Muriungi, Managing Director at Capital One Group and a close friend of Muthusi.
Muriungi highlighted Muthusi’s passions beyond the boardroom, from his love for sports to his relentless support for community and youth empowerment.
“Frank was a good human being. He cared deeply about young people, leadership development, and sports. He saw potential in everyone and found joy in lifting others,” Mwirigi said.
As the industry continues to mourn his loss, Friday’s gathering served as a reminder that Frank Muthusi’s influence endures—not just in marketing campaigns or boardroom decisions, but in the hearts and careers of those he inspired.
The upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner on September 12 is expected to bring together key figures from the advertising, business, and creative communities, as the Frank Muthusi Foundation begins its journey to turn his vision into long-lasting impact.
