Isaac Daniel Katende, popularly known as Kasuku or Kuku Wazabanga prominent Ugandan journalist, radio/TV host, and digital content creator with a career spanning over 15 years in the entertainment and socio-political media landscape has been named ugandas leading media influencer by the latest Uganda National Media Survey (UNMS) by Market Intelligence Group
The findings are based on data collected from 146 districts across Uganda as part of the survey, which is set to be officially launched in the coming days.
The Uganda National Media Survey examined media consumption trends across radio, television, print and digital platforms.
According to Dr. Joel Isabirye, the Principal Investigator of the survey, the study seeks to provide insights into how Ugandans consume different forms of media, with the findings expected to support academic research, advertising decisions, policy-making and policy evaluation.
“The survey provides a comprehensive picture of Uganda’s changing media landscape, particularly as digital platforms continue to reshape how audiences access information, entertainment and news. Understanding these shifts is important for media practitioners, advertisers, researchers and policymakers,” Isabirye said.
The inclusion of digital media trends in the survey reflects the growing influence of digital platforms in Uganda’s media landscape. According to the Uganda Communications Commission, the country has 47.5 million mobile phone connections, while 20.3 million smartphones are actively in use. Uganda also has an estimated 11.4 million WhatsApp users, 11.3 million TikTok users and at least 7.2 million YouTube users.
“TikTok, in particular, turns out to be the most popular platform, with vast amounts of user-generated content. Within that space, new personalities keep emerging by the day, making it necessary for their profiles and influence to be tracked,” Isabirye said.
Meanwhile TikToker Sheila Price has been ranked the country’s leading TikToker.
Kasuku Media Journey
He worked as a Dembe FM radio and Spark TV host, cohosting the morning program Twezimbe with hosts Kaima Shafic and Ruth Kalibala.
Kasuku also presented the Talk & Talk show, an entertainment program featuring panellists Jenkins Mukasa and Edward Ssendi every Saturday on Dembe FM.
Daniel used the nickname Kasuku to refer to a parrot that reports on everything it sees. Additionally, he was a member of the drama group Kasuku at UMCAT. However, after the 2010 bombings, the club’s founder, Brenda, passed away, and he decided to continue using the name in her memory.
Katende was born in February 1989 at Namirembe Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.
He enrolled in St. Mary’s SS Kitende for his O-level studies. He attended Standard High Zana for his A-level studies earning his UACE.
He was meant to enrol in college and pursue a legal career, but he had to switch courses after the passing away of his mother during his senior six vacation.
Kasuku decided to enrol at the UMCAT School of Journalism and Media, where he studied Mass Communication and Journalism, earning a diploma in the field in 2010.
Daniel later returned to school, in part to set a better example for his kids, and in February 2023 he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Community Psychology from Makerere University.
Having worked in the media for over a decade, Isaac Daniel Katende is the owner of two YouTube channels, Kasuku Live and the website Big Bang News.
