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On 24 Aug 2026, Next Media Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kin Kariisa celebrated his 50th birthday, messages of praise poured in from across diplomacy, politics, corporate boardrooms, and the creative arts.
Among the most moving tributes was a personal reflection shared by Humphrey Nabimanya, the founder and CEO of Reach A Hand Africa (RAHA).
Taking to social media, Nabimanya credited Kariisa with giving him his first breakthrough in mainstream media over 15 years ago—a single decision that not only changed his life, but also laid the foundation for one of East Africa’s most successful youth empowerment organizations.
“More than 15 years ago, you took a chance on a young man with a vision, handing me the mic on Youth Voice at NBS Television,” Nabimanya recalled. “That single opportunity changed my life and sparked a movement that eventually built Reach A Hand. Thank you for being a steadfast mentor, a visionary leader, and a champion for the youth of Uganda.”
The public tribute highlights a quiet aspect of Kin Kariisa’s career: his long history of identifying raw youth talent, offering young people high-visibility platforms, and mentoring them into corporate and civic leaders.
How Kin Kariisa Bought NBS TV and Built Next Media Services
To understand the scale of Kin Kariisa’s impact on Uganda’s media landscape, one must trace the history of NBS Television back to the late 2000s.
Originally founded by Jinja-based businessman and politician Nathan Igeme Nabeta, NBS Television was a struggling, localized television station operating out of modest offices at Media Plaza in Kamwokya, Kampala. The channel faced steep competition from established broadcast giants like NTV Uganda and Bukedde TV, battling limited signal reach, low advertising revenue, and high operational costs.
Recognizing the untapped commercial potential of digital broadcasting, Dr. Kin Kariisa—a computer engineer trained at Makerere University with advanced studies in the United States—stepped into the business. Initially brought on as a management consultant and managing director, Kariisa worked to stabilize operations before executing a complete buy-out of Nabeta’s controlling shares, assuming full ownership and executive control of the station.
Once in full command, Kariisa launched an aggressive, multi-year expansion strategy:
- Technology First: He invested heavily in modern live-broadcasting technology, pioneering mobile Satellite News Gathering (SNG) vans and digital streaming tools that allowed NBS TV to break live political and spot news faster than any competitor in East Africa.
- Aggressive Talent Poaching: Kariisa systematically recruited Uganda’s top news anchors, investigative reporters, political show hosts, and technical producers, turning NBS TV into the country’s primary channel for political coverage and breaking news.
- The Naguru Transition: As the business outgrew its cramped premises in Kamwokya, Kariisa commissioned the construction of the Next Media Park in Naguru, Kampala—a state-of-the-art, multi-story broadcast headquarters that consolidated all media operations under one roof.
The Next Media Empire: Breakdown of Subsidiaries Under Kin Kariisa
Under Kariisa’s leadership, what began as a single television station evolved into Next Media Services, a diversified multimedia conglomerate dominating television, radio, digital publishing, event management, and public relations across the region.
The core entities operating under the Next Media umbrella include:
- NBS Television: The group’s flagship free-to-air channel, recognized nationwide for current affairs, live political reporting, documentaries, and investigative journalism.
- Sanyuka TV: A Luganda-language entertainment and lifestyle station tailored for mass-market audiences, featuring local drama series, music shows, and exclusive broadcasts of the Uganda Premier League (UPL).
- NBS Sport: Uganda’s first 24-hour dedicated sports television network, broadcasting local football, basketball, rugby, athletics, and international sporting events.
- Next Radio (91.0 FM): Launched as Uganda’s first visual radio station, combining traditional FM radio broadcasting with high-definition live video streaming for digital audiences.
- Nile Post: A fast-growing online digital news portal delivering real-time political news, business analysis, and editorial opinions.
- Next Communications: A full-service digital marketing, public relations, brand strategy, and social media management agency servicing corporate clients across East Africa.
- Next Productions: A specialized video production, live event coverage, and content creation arm equipped with high-end cameras and outside broadcast facilities.
- The Acquisition of 91.3 Capital FM: Cementing his position as the titan of Ugandan broadcasting, Kariisa expanded his media portfolio by acquiring controlling equity in Capital Radio Limited, bringing legacy radio stations 91.3 Capital FM and Beat FM under the Next Media umbrella.
The ‘Youth Voice’ Spark: How Kin Kariisa Backed a Young Humphrey Nabimanya
While Kariisa was expanding his media empire, he maintained an open-door policy for young dreamers looking for an opportunity to prove themselves.
Over fifteen years ago, a young student named Humphrey Nabimanya walked into the NBS TV offices with a concept for a television show dedicated to youth issues. Rather than dismissing the inexperienced student, Kariisa recognized Nabimanya’s passion and handed him the microphone to host and produce Youth Voice.
Youth Voice quickly grew into one of the most popular youth-led television programs in Uganda, offering a platform where teenagers and university students could openly discuss reproductive health, peer pressure, career choices, mental health, and leadership.
The national visibility provided by NBS TV transformed Nabimanya into a household name and gave him the confidence, public platform, and media skills required to launch a larger social movement.
From a TV Studio to an East African Movement: The Rise of Reach A Hand Africa
Using the momentum and networks built during his time hosting Youth Voice on NBS TV, Humphrey Nabimanya founded Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) in 2011 while completing his degree in Mass Communication at Makerere University.
What started as a small student initiative operated out of a university hostel room gradually expanded into Reach A Hand Africa (RAHA)—one of the most respected, youth-centered non-governmental organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Today, Reach A Hand Africa stands as a powerhouse in youth development:
- Mobilizing Over 10,000 Peer Educators: RAHA’s signature Peer Educators Academy has trained and deployed over 10,000 young leaders across primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and informal urban settlements in Uganda, Rwanda, and the wider region. These peer educators deliver vital life-skills training, mental health support, and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education to their fellow youth.
- Edutainment and Film Production: Utilizing media tools learned during his television days, Nabimanya expanded RAHA into film production, producing hit youth television series such as Kyaddala (shown across regional TV networks and streaming platforms) to address social issues through creative drama.
- National and Global Campaigns: RAHA partners with global organizations including the United Nations, the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and the Ministry of Health, executing large-scale campaigns such as the nationwide “Be Better” mental health initiative.
Reflecting on Dr. Kin Kariisa’s 50th birthday, Nabimanya notes that the thousands of young lives transformed through Reach A Hand Africa are a direct result of one media executive choosing to trust a young man with a microphone fifteen years ago.
Kariisa’s journey from taking over a struggling TV station in Kamwokya to leading a multi-billion-shilling media conglomerate—while opening doors for the next generation of African leaders—stands as a powerful model of transformative leadership in East Africa.
