Former BoU publicist, Ishta Kutesa Atukunda, joins Hariss International, makers of Riham as Public Relations Manager

Ishta Kutesa Atukunda, the former Head, of Media Relations at the Bank of Uganda, has bounced back from her one-year sabbatical, to take up the Public Relations Manager role at Hariss International Limited. 

She started work this January.   

Hariss International are makers of assorted foods and beverages under the Riham brand. They are the No.3 in market share, in the soft drinks category.

Ishta spent 9 years at the Bank of Uganda, serving in different roles: Officer, Website and Publications, Head, Information & Research Unit, and Ag. Head, Media Relations. 

Before the Central Bank, she worked with SMS Media and Captiva Communications Limited.

A graduate of Coventry University (B.A, Media and Journalism), Ishta also holds an MSc in International Public Policy from the Queen Mary University of London.

Commenting about her new assignment, Ishta wrote on her LinkedIn feed, “I am happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Public Relations Manager at Hariss International Limited, the proud makers of Riham products”.

“The three things I’m most excited about, are: joining one of Uganda’s leading FMCG companies; getting to support a strong brand in food and beverage manufacturing through the growth of the different brands under it; and the opportunity to work with such a vibrant team and coworkers. Here’s to an awesome 2023 for the Riham brands,” she added. 

She joins Hariss International at a critical time when the company is consolidating itself from being a wholly-owned family business to a mixed-held robust business. Her rich private and public sector communication experience will come in handy.  

In H2 2020, South Africa’s Nicky & Jonathan Oppenheimer family, Africa’s third richest billionaires, through one of their investment vehicles, Oppenheimer Partners, made a majority acquisition in Hariss International. The new investors will provide the much-needed muscle to flex with Crown Beverages, the licensee bottler for PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda, the market majors.