By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Following a high-engagement election season, Kriss Namakola has officially assumed the presidency of the Pacific Northwest Ugandans Association (PNUAA), signaling a vibrant new chapter for the regional diaspora community.
Namakola, who succeeds Janet Kasule after her two-year tenure as president, secured the top leadership post in the 2026 contest against Sam Sebuwufu. Running under the rallying cry of “Revive. Unite. Develop.”, Namakola’s platform offers a clear roadmap aimed at expanding the association’s reach, strengthening its governance, and building a lasting legacy for Ugandans across the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Speaking in an interview following his victory, Namakola expressed profound gratitude for the trust the community has placed in him and reflected on the shared vision driving his administration forward.
“Our community is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes the exciting responsibility to modernize how we operate,” Namakola said. “This election demonstrated just how deeply our members care about PNUAA’s future. My focus now is entirely forward-looking: taking the solid foundation built by outgoing President Janet Kasule and using it to erect a more structured, inclusive, and impactful association for everyone.”
At the heart of Namakola’s immediate strategy are three ambitious priorities designed to institutionalize the association and elevate its profile: establishing a permanent public office, overhauling the organization’s constitution, and creating a comprehensive institutional framework.
Historically, PNUAA’s official operations and administrative affairs were conducted out of private residences. Namakola plans to change that in his early months.
“To serve our community effectively and represent Ugandans with the professional dignity we deserve, PNUAA needs its own home,” Namakola emphasized. “Securing a dedicated public office—moving away from using private residences as administrative hubs—is an absolute priority. A dedicated physical space will give us a proper center for member services, cultural programs, leadership meetings, and emergency response coordination.”
Alongside physical infrastructure, Namakola is championing systemic legal and governance reform. PNUAA’s existing constitution was established in the early stages of the organization’s founding. With the diaspora population having expanded significantly across Washington, Oregon, and the surrounding regions, the founding document no longer fits the scale of its current operations.
Namakola announced the immediate creation of a Constitutional Review Committee tasked with reviewing and rewriting the governing document to align with the modern needs of the community.
“Our organization has simply outgrown the original constitution,” Namakola explained. “We are forming an independent Constitutional Review Committee to draft a modernized governance framework. We want a constitution that ensures complete transparency, clarifies electoral protocols, expands democratic participation, and protects the interests of all members for decades to come.”
To ensure the newly updated constitution operates seamlessly, the Namakola administration is also instituting a robust internal governance structure. PNUAA will transition toward a specialized committee model supported by an active Board of Trustees. Key standing bodies will include a Finance Committee to oversee fiscal stewardship, a Welfare Committee to handle community support and emergency relief, and a Projects Committee to drive social, cultural, and youth programs.
“Building strong institutional frameworks means we don’t rely on individuals; we rely on systems,” Namakola noted. “By empowering specialized committees and establishing a dedicated Board of Trustees, we ensure that every initiative—whether it’s financial management, member welfare, or cultural outreach—is managed by focused, capable teams.”
Namakola’s journey to the PNUAA presidency is backed by extensive leadership experience in both civic organizations and commercial enterprise. He previously served as vice chair of the electoral commission for the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA), managing voter eligibility, candidate affairs, and balloting processes during the 2021 elections.
He later served as president of the North America Masaba Cultural Association (NAMCA), where he successfully mobilized international relief efforts for families affected by the 2022 landslides in eastern Uganda’s Bugisu region.
Outside of community leadership, Namakola is an established entrepreneur in the greater Seattle area, operating businesses across commercial painting, custom shed construction, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and cabinetry manufacturing. His firm, Near East Sheds, explicitly incorporates a social mission to create job opportunities for individuals facing employment barriers.
An accomplished author, Namakola published The Myth of Stability in 2026, examining Uganda’s political history and civic development, alongside authoring a weekly series of public essays on national growth and governance.
Having previously run for the PNUAA presidency in 2024 under the banner “Revive. Renew. Rebuild.”, Namakola returned in 2026 with a refined message that places unity and collective progress at the forefront. As he steps into office, his administration is extending an open invitation to all members—including supporters of rival campaigns and previously inactive members—to join hands in executing these transformative goals.
“Every single member of PNUAA brings value, talent, and unique perspectives to the table,” Namakola said. “The election is behind us, and the work of building a stronger community has begun. Whether through our upcoming committee appointments, constitutional town halls, or upcoming programs, every member has a seat at the table. Together, we are going to build an association that every Ugandan in the Pacific Northwest can be immensely proud of.”
With a clear mandate, concrete early objectives, and a structured roadmap for reform, Namakola’s tenure begins with widespread optimism as PNUAA charts
its course toward a prosperous futu
