“With that certificate, you will be able to survive, but your sisters need to stay in school longer”.
With those words, Mbalire Moses’ school days ended. Mbalire Moses was born in Kampala
district in central Uganda to parents without a formal education. At a young age, faced with lack
of basic scholastic materials, moving long distances to school, late fees and living with a single
mother, Moses put himself through school. Despite being raised in one of the most
underprivileged slums in Kampala, Moses was able to support his sisters, and fortunately, he has
seen them become successful individuals. One of them is a Nurse while the other is a Teacher.
Due to his background, he slip into drugs to cover up the misery and agony that he was
experiencing. Because of his love for reading, he came across an article that was talking about
Brazilian footballers and how they get themselves out of the favelas, play football that lifts them
up and change their lives. It was from that day he decided that it’s him alone to get himself to
where he wants to be. He has become an advocate of equal opportunities regardless of gender He
realized that he can’t give back to people who helped him along his journey, other than getting
and giving back to society. He connected with like-minded youths and they decided to start
Obuyisi Bw’omu Initiative as every day is a survival for some people. Mbalire Moses has
volunteered with various organizations and is passionate about creating change, regardless of its
scale.