Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda/Board Elections 2025/Geoffrey Kateregga
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Candidate details
Name: Geoffrey Kateregga
Username: Kateregga1
Motivation and Contributions
Why are you running for the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Governing Board? What unique contributions would you bring to the board? What do you hope to learn through this role?
I believe open knowledge has the power to transform education, promote cultural understanding, and drive social change in Uganda. I am motivated to contribute to an organization that is making a meaningful impact in these areas.
Having served on the previous board, I have a deep understanding of Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda’s history, operations, and strategic goals. I can provide valuable continuity and institutional knowledge to the new board, helping ensure a smooth transition and continued progress. Additionally, I am eager to deepen my understanding of nonprofit governance and learn how to contribute more effectively to strategic decision-making.
Wikimedia Experience
Please describe your involvement with the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda and the wider movement, including: Contributions to Wikimedia projects, Participation in User Group activities..
I have been actively involved in Wikimedia activities since 2014, both in Uganda and the wider movement, serving in various roles. In Uganda, I was one of the founders of the user group and have led multiple projects and initiatives, including Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki Loves Monuments, Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki Gap, and Wiki Loves Women. I have also served as the Executive Director for the past two years.
In 2021, I led the organization of the East Africa Strategy Summit and was part of the core organizing team for the Wiki Indaba regional conference. In 2024, I chaired the communications committee for the Wiki Indaba conference.
As Executive Director, I have helped stabilize the organization by leading a team of project leads to execute activities, ensuring effective reporting, and maintaining accountability for funds.
Strategic Priorities
From your perspective, what should the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda prioritize over the next 3–5 years? Why do you consider these priorities the most important?
As a user group we have just launched our strategy for the next five years 2025 to 2029, on community growth and development, we should prioritize expanding and diversifying our membership base, with a particular focus on engaging groups such as women and youth. This will help us tap into a wider pool of talent, knowledge, and perspectives, leading to richer content and a more vibrant community.
On Content Creation and Improvement, we should prioritize improving the quality, quantity, and accessibility of Ugandan-related content on Wikimedia projects, particularly in local languages. It would be good to see other Language Wikipedias come up like Runyakitara, Acholi, Lusoga, Lukonjo, etc. These will help preserve our cultural heritage through preserving these languages, and also ensure that knowledge is accessible to a wider audience and promoting linguistic diversity.
Lastly we should prioritize building and strengthening strategic partnerships with organizations that share our values and goals. By partnering with educational institutions, cultural organizations, technology providers, and other stakeholders, we can leverage resources, expertise, and networks to advance the Wikimedia movement in Uganda.
Relevant Experience
Please describe any relevant skills and knowledge you have in areas such as, Governance, management, finance, leadership, or similar fields.
I have a good understanding of organizational governance principles, including board responsibilities, ethical decision-making, and legal compliance. In my previous role as a board member and Executive Director of the User Group, I was involved in developing and implementing financial and HR policies, ensuring that the organization operated with transparency and accountability.
I previously served as the Chairman of the Board for OpenStreetMap Uganda and currently serve as the President of the Board for Talk to Loop, an international organization. Serving on these boards has given me valuable experience in what it takes to be an effective board member.