The Chairperson of Uganda Insurers Association Ruth Namuli has called for more collaboration between media and Insurers to narrow down the insurance knowledge gaps to boost insurance uptake in Uganda.
Addressing journalists at the media workshop at Fairway Hotel in Kampala,Namuli appealed to journalists to simplify insurance complex concepts in order to boost public confidence and uptake.
UIA Chairperson Ruth Namuli described the event as “a strategic conversation” rather than a one-off engagement.
“Media is not just a conduit for information—it is a force that shapes perception and drives accountability,” she said.
“We must deliberately build shared understanding between the insurance industry and the media. We can’t afford to have clients interpreting insurance through misunderstanding or silence caused by jargon and small print,” she added.
Uganda Insurance Association (UIA), Chief Executive Officer Dr. Al-Haji Kaddunabi Lubega, urged people in employment to take up available insurance products to better their future in case of uncertainties.
“If you do not have an insurance policy now, you only have yourself to blame. The regulator is here to ensure that if you have insurance and a problem arises, you will be compensated,” he stressed.
“The ultimate goal of insurance is that in the unfortunate event of a loss, you will be paid,” Kaddunabi said. “If shs 800 billion has been paid back in claims, it means that the reason people insure is being achieved. Insurance is not a luxury, it is a necessity that supports economic resilience and individual stability.”Kaddunabi stressed.
Mr Jonan Kisaakye, Chief Executive Officer of UIA, said the workshop aimed to bridge the gap between insurers and the media by “demystifying complex insurance concepts” and equipping journalists with accurate, accessible content.
“We want to expose insurers to the realities of modern youth empowerment and decision-making, while building long-term relationships with the media,” Kisaakye noted.
Ben Mwine Next Media Chief Strategist called on insurers to provide “clear, accessible, and well-structured data” alongside regular training for journalists.
He emphasized the need for “open dialogue” between the media and the insurance industry to strengthen collaboration and understanding.
According to UIA, about sh 800billion was paid out in terms of insurance claims despite of low insurance up take in Uganda that stands at 0.8%.
Uganda’s insurance industry posted healthy growth in gross written premiums (GWP) in 2024 according to statistics released by the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA). The figures show that the GWP grew by 10% from UGX. 1.6 trillion posted in 2023 to UGX. 1.76 trillion as at the end of December 2024.