The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Presidential CEO Forum, Irene Birungi Mugisha, has encouraged young people to act on their ambitions and pursue opportunities with confidence, drawing from her own journey into the media industry.
Speaking during Next Morning Switch hosted by Next Radio on Thursday, Mugisha reflected on her personal and professional experiences, highlighting the importance of self-belief, resilience, and responsibility.
Sharing on her personal background, Mugisha noted that being born in Kampala does not necessarily equate to privilege.
“Kampala may be the capital city, but it remains a place and home to many. Being born in Kampala doesn't automatically mean that one was born privileged,” she said.
Mugisha encouraged young people to trust their instincts and actively pursue their aspirations instead of hesitating when opportunities arise.
“When you feel like you can do something, don't sit on that feeling. Try to learn how best you can do it,” she said.
Mugisha recounted how her media career began with simple practice sessions in front of a mirror at home. What started as self-training eventually led to her appearance on television, marking the beginning of a distinguished broadcasting career.
Rather than viewing her first television appearance as the peak of her success, she said she saw it as a responsibility to inspire others.
“When I got on TV, while others would feel they had made it and it was their time to shine, I constantly reminded myself that I needed to be a role model—a big sister that my siblings could look up to and be inspired,” she said.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mugisha also shared a personal moment about her marriage to fellow journalist Maurice Mugisha.
She recalled how she was charmed by his unique and memorable proposal.
“My husband is a smart man. I had never heard any man propose to a woman like he did to me,” she said with a smile.
According to Mugisha, his simple yet thoughtful words won her over.
“My mother would like you,” he told her.
Born in 1973, Mugisha built her reputation as a respected journalist after joining WBS Television as a news anchor. She later moved to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) where she served as a television producer and business editor.
In October 2010, she made history by becoming the first woman to serve as television manager at UBC Television.
In 2013, Mugisha joined CNBC Africa as Head of Editorial and television producer for its Uganda and Rwanda bureaus.
During her tenure, she hosted the widely followed business program Doing Business in Rwanda, further strengthening her reputation as a leading voice in regional business journalism