Ruth Esther

Ruth Esther Namatovu is a journalist who combines international affairs, public policy analysis, and peace and security expertise. She brings over 20 years of experience in journalism, research, and strategic communication, with a regional focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and the Great Lakes region.

Ruth began her career in Uganda as an investigative reporter and has since worked as a news producer, sub-editor, and political correspondent for the London Evening Post (online). She later served as Director of Strategic Communication for the African Union/United Nations Mission in Somalia, where she led communication strategy, media analysis, and stakeholder engagement in a complex peace operation.

She has freelanced with Voice of America (Africa 54) as an international policy expert on peace and security issues, and with the Wilson Center’s Africa Program as a policy research writer, producing analytical pieces on African governance, conflict, and security trends. In the United States, Ruth worked with Johns Hopkins University – School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) as a Graduate Research and Communications Assistant, supporting faculty research and strategic outreach initiatives.

Ruth holds a Doctor of International Affairs and a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins SAIS, an MA in Diplomacy and International Relations from Lancaster University (UK), a BSc (Hons) in Media & multimedia Technology from the University of West London and a Diploma in Journalism from the Institute of Business and Media Studies - Kampala. 

Her expertise spans AI-assisted media intelligence, policy analysis, mediation, and strategic communication, focusing on U.S. policy in Africa, peacekeeping and peace enforcement, and African Union and United Nations operations.

Ruth is available for on-air commentary, editing, policy writing, and analytical media projects.