About us
Emiti Emito Creative Arts Initiative Uganda (EECAIU) is an non-profit organization founded in 2012, registered in 2015 in Uganda and operating in Nabulagala community, a suburb of Kampala City with a community centre known as
"The House” as its base.
Our mission is to empower and inspire the children's growth to succeed as generous
caring and responsible leaders in life.
Our Staff
Brian Bagonza, Co-founder and Country Director
Brian is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic planning of Emiti Emito. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing and community outreach.
Brian is a leader in his community where he heads Emiti Emito community house. He is very passionate about football (soccer) and he is an aspiring professional soccer coach who currently holds a CAF D soccer coaching diploma. He is also the sports program coordinator and co-founder of the organization.
"I love working at Emiti Emito because it's a place where I can easily associate with other people and share my skills and experience. I always feel it's the right place for my dreams."
Joel Talemwa, Co-founder and Programs Coordinator
Joel Talemwa brings his passion for music and dance to the organization and its members.
He heads many of the music and dance classes at Emiti Emito.
Joel coordinates all the workshops and programs running at the organization.
He has performed and represented Emiti Emito at Brave kids festival in Poland and also held dance workshops and performances in USA on behalf of this education centre.
“Emiti Emito to me is family that accepts and embraces anyone despite their background, gender, identity, race, religion and status with the foundation of love, care and sharing. This is the meaning of Emiti Emito".
Denis Magezi, Co-founder and Leader of Arts and Crafts Program
Megezi Denis holds a certificate in Art and Design (CAD) and leads the art program at Emiti Emito.
Denis also makes art pieces and prints t-shirts which are sold by the organization as result of fundraising.
Denis is also a talented Dancer who performed and represented Emiti Emito at brave kids festival in Poland.
Board of Directors
Andriana Sofia Canal Huarte
She is a teacher from Spain who studied psychology and specialized in Learning Difficulties. She has worked and supported different projects of Psychologists without Borders and currently work as a Spanish online teacher.
Angela Kirabo Russell
Kirabo is a qualified Public Health Specialist with a decade long experience in community and behavioral health. She is a versatile professional certified by the East Tennessee State University,
TN, The Uganda Management Institute and Makerere University. Kirabo has offered her professional service in different capacities across the public, private and not for profit sectors in the region and beyond. She has been a member of cross functional teams at USAID projects, at local Health Centres , offered individual consultancy services and training to different sectoral players in business, leadership, management and entrepreneurship.
Kirabo is passionate about HIV prevention (policies and systems) Research initiatives geared toward health innovations and youth empowerment. Outside her professional work, Kirabo is a wife, a mother, and a champion of fellow women.
Ambassadors
Ottavia Galbiati and Chiara Cereda, Ambassadors in Milan, Italy
Hello, we are Ottavia and Chiara and we are Italian. Ottavia lives in Milan, Chiara lives in a small town near the city. We are both passionate about musical theatre and travels, and we decided to spend one of our journeys through the world at Emiti Emito during the summer of 2023, after visiting beautiful and welcoming Uganda. We are always glad to talk about our experience with Joel and Brian and the kids, so if you have any queries come talk to us!
India Lina Szlovák, Ambassador in Hamburg, Germany
My Journey with Emiti Emito began when I stumbled upon their organization/school which was founded by Joel and Brian in the heart of Kampala, Uganda. Their mission to provide the children in their village with education and entertainment in the slums resonated deeply with me.
Their warmth and kindness instantly drew me in, inspiring me to embark on a journey to collaborate with them.
During my time there, I had the privilege of teaching the children how to play the guitar and leading art projects. My passion for their projects knows no bounds, and I poured my heart into every endeavor to assist and uplift them.
As an ambassador based in Hamburg, Germany, I am dedicated to supporting Joel and Brian's initiatives. I welcome anyone interested in connecting with Emiti Emito, offering my assistance with enthusiasm. I am eagerly looking forward to future projects, both in Uganda and Germany, where I can contribute to realizing Joel and Brian's vision and providing children with access to education. Together, let us continue to empower and inspire through education, bridging gaps and building brighter futures for all.
Samuele Pagni, Ambassador in Tuscany (Viareggio), Italy
I’m an Italian marble sculptor, born in Tuscany in 1998 in Viareggio. I’ve always loved to travel and that passion took me to Emito Emiti. I was honored to share my art and mostly my approach to it with an amazing place like this one, full of people, where sharing is the biggest value, a place that made me feel at home. Being surrounded by so many amazing human beings is the best thing that you can wish to feel in your life. I came there to share my art vision but when I left I just realized that Emito Emito gave me so much more than a simple teaching experience, it was like finding a new family
Giorgia D’Emanuele, Ambassador in Padova, Italy
Hi, my name is Giorgia.
I love travelling, discovering different cultures, different cuisines and different lifestyles and experiences. For some time I had thought I wanted to try to have a volunteering experience, when thanks to Sofia, another volunteer, I discovered the reality of Emito Emito. Despite my initial insecurities, I was welcomed with love and affection by the organization and the children. Despite the short period I spent some rich days, which allowed me to learn how many things that are normally considered important but ultimately aren't, the real problems are others, and it is right to understand what is really important for us. I was happy to share moments of joy and fun but at the same time serious and dedicated to learning with the children. I felt part of a big family that I would like to support and meet again in the future
Camilla Comunello, Ambassador in Vicenza, Italy
Passionate about human rights and connecting different cultures, Camilla is a student of the Master in International and European Studies at the University of Trento, in the north of Italy. Driven by a desire to contribute to meaningful projects in Africa, she found out about our organization and knew she had found her place.
Since the first day in Uganda, Camilla had felt the unconditional love that the kids shared and the dedication of Brian and Joel in inspiring their children. Thoughout the volunteering experience in Emiti Emito, Camilla realized that the real richness in life is love and happiness, values that she found embodied in our organization's work. She believes in the power of free education for all as a driver to change and enhance the lives of these children.
She is now part of our big family and is eager to spread the love she witnessed in Uganda with the world.
Angelica Giulia Gurrado, Ambassador in Puglia, Italy
My name is Angelica and I come from Italy, specifically from a small town in Puglia - Massafra. Traveling is one of my greatest passions, thanks to which I was able to get to know the wonderful organization of Emiti Emito. Being able to teach, play and spend these weeks with the children at the Emiti Emito was an experience that touched my heart. Thanks to this experience I was able to discover the beauty of volunteering, in fact I believe that this will only be the beginning of a series of wonderful adventures of volunteering around the world!
Sveva Pietropaolo, Ambassador in Bologna, Italy
Currently based in Bologna, Italy, Sveva is a travel lover. She found out about Emiti Emito in 2023 and instantly fell in love with the organization. In just two weeks in Kampala she built wonderful relationships with both the children and the coordinators. On a human level the kids with their ever-beaming faces have taught her to smile no matter the circumstances. They reminded her of the importance of values such as sharing, honesty, generosity and gratitude. She immediately felt a strong connection with Jennifer and decided to support her from afar, paying for her 15 years of school. She is honored to have had the opportunity to be part of this great family and will continue to support the organization by doing everything in her power.