John Babirukamu, a household name in Uganda’s digital marketing space has committed suicide, police have confirmed.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, deputy Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire said Babirukamu was found dead after allegedly jumping off Tagore building in Kamwokya.
“It’s alleged that on May,31 2024 at around 1140 am at Tagore Living Apartments Kamwokya, Central Division in the Kampala District, the deceased John Birungi Babirukamu, 40 who had checked into the apartment on May, 30 2024 and spent a night jumped from level 2 D balcony into the neighbors compound and died instantly,”Owoyesigyire said.
He added that the scene was visited, documented and statements recorded from the apartment manager.
At the scene, a message was found saying, “I apologize for being an inconvenience in death as I was in life.”
The body has been taken to the KCCA city mortuary for postmortem
Family members said Babirukamu had sent messages indicating he was tired of life.
Who is he
According to his own LinkedIn Babirukamu had over 14 years of experience in the marketing and communications.
“I am a passionate and driven leader who strives to deliver exceptional results for my clients and team. I have a strong background in management information systems, digital marketing, and digital transformation, as well as multiple ISO certifications that demonstrate my commitment to quality and security,” he said of himself.
Between 2011 and 2016, Babirukamu helped shape the digital marketing strategy at NBS TV and transformed it into Uganda’s most engaging online presence.
“This was achieved by setting up a 3-years digital marketing strategy, social media policy, online persona, content policy, recruiting and training of capable staff and by rebuilding NBS’ digital assets including a new website, live streaming service and Uganda’s first video streaming app,” he said.
He was serving as the head of digital marketing.
In 2016 to 2019, he served as the digital communications manager for telecom giants, MTN Uganda
He in 2020 joined Hedge Marketing where he successfully grew it from a small to a mid-sized business with a 600% increase in revenue and an increase in staff from 4 to 17 full-time staff.
“I achieved this by recruiting skilled and dedicated young talent, empowering them through consistent upskilling, equipping them, and giving them the freedom to flourish.”
Between 2020 and November 2023, Babirukamu was the General Manager at Hedge Marketing where he is credited for having established and maintained strong relationships with Hedge’s clientele such as Prudential Africa PLC, Uganda Baati Ltd, Opportunity Bank, EFC Bank, Housing Finance Bank, AAR Insurance, Data Care (u) Ltd, DHL Handling, Finn Church Aid, SNV, Tunga Nutrition, and Uganda Marketers’ Society.
By the time of his death, he was pursuing an eMBA from the University of Suffolk but also hld memberships with the Chartered Institute of Marketing-UK, Uganda Marketers’ Society and a Vice Presidency with the newly constituted Uganda Digital Society.
