SMILE GENERATION UGANDA LIMITED – Bringing Hope and Education to Kagadi Kenga
At SMILE GENERATION UGANDA LIMITED, we are committed to serving vulnerable communities, no matter how challenging the circumstances may be. Our next mission takes us to Kagadi District, Kenga Village — a place that has been the subject of disturbing reports of cannibalism, fear, and neglect, but also an area where children desperately need hope, education, and opportunity.
Joseph Bumpenje, the founder and organizer, has already activated his community and has garnered support from Mr. Kasenene Nelson Kalyango, the Mayor of Namayumba Town Council in Wakiso District, Kampala, Uganda. But this is not enough. Now, with the focus on Kenga, we still need to raise funds to pay for school fees, educational materials, teachers' salaries, food, and other bits of infrastructure. This is a story of resilience and persistence against all odds; a story of thriving despite lack of access to resources. A story of the power education has to transform lives and change futures. A story of 100 children needing access to education — URGENTLY!
This is the story of Joseph Bumpenje and his commitment to communities like Kenga in Kagadi:
"For the past three years, I have been working as a principal at a school here in Uganda, while also being a foster parent to vulnerable children. Unfortunately, things took a difficult turn recently. At the end of the term, as we entered a long two-month holiday, I, along with the other teachers, realized we had not received our salaries for the past four months.
When we sought answers, we were shocked to learn that instead of addressing the issue, we were only given half a month’s salary for September – about 500,000 Ugandan Shillings (around $145). Worse still, the school decided to terminate our contracts, citing that my vulnerable children were a financial burden, and they stopped these children from continuing their education as well.
This situation has left me deeply shaken and uncertain about what to do next. My colleagues and I are exploring the possibility of starting our own school, one that would focus on supporting local vulnerable children and providing free education. However, we are currently struggling with resources and are hoping to find someone who can help us create a GoFundMe page to begin fundraising for this initiative. Now, we extend this to Kenga, where the need is even more urgent due to fear and stigma."
==Who is Joseph? What is his story?==
Bumpenje Joseph's story is one of resilience and determination, shaped by a childhood full of adversity. Born and raised in Namayumba, Joseph faced early challenges when his parents, grappling with life's difficulties, left him and his five siblings to fend for themselves. This led to years of hardship, and the siblings ended up on the streets, seeking shelter under a large tree that became their refuge. However, when the government cut down the tree to build a road, it marked the end of their sanctuary. In honor of the tree that had once been their protector, Joseph and his siblings decided to plant trees on their birthdays annually, a symbol of resilience and a tribute to the shelter they lost.
Their struggle didn’t stop there. In order to survive, they participated in cleaning various schools, hoping to earn enough to feed themselves. Despite these harsh realities, Joseph remained determined to change his life and the lives of others. He aspired to become a teacher, driven by a passion to support vulnerable children and ensure they didn’t have to face the same challenges he had.
In 2015, Joseph's dream took a significant step forward when he joined Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education. His vision was clear: to create an environment where vulnerable children could access education free of charge, while also promoting environmental conservation.
Today, Joseph is a professional high school mathematics teacher, dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation. His leadership journey in education has been marked by several notable positions. He has served as the Director of Studies at Greenlight Islamic Secondary School in Nansana, Director of Studies, Head Teacher, and Principal at Extreme High School in Namayumba. His exemplary performance in the academic field also earned him the position of West Buganda Pathfinder Director from 2014 to 2020.
In addition to his educational career, Joseph is deeply involved in his community and beyond. He serves as a Church Elder at Nansana Town Church, a Climate Speaker, and a Foster Parent. His commitment to the well-being of vulnerable children is evident, as part of his salary is dedicated to supporting their school fees, supplementing a work program that further aids their education.
Joseph is a married man with one wife and one biological child, embodying his values of family, care, and responsibility. As a motivational speaker, he shares his journey of overcoming adversity to inspire others to persist and pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles they face.
Through his work and life, Bumpenje Joseph has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for many in his community, demonstrating the power of perseverance, education, and compassion in changing lives. Now, he brings this passion to Kenga, where he was personally assigned by the government to teach at King Solomon Seed School — a school that, sadly, has been ranked among the worst-performing schools in Uganda for the last five years. That experience opened his eyes to the urgent need for real change in this region.
Why Kagadi Kenga?
Several credible reports and testimonies have highlighted the struggles in this region:
• RDC attacking those accused of eating humans: https://youtu.be/1urk6Xd-IDM?si=RAIqXMIonSez-Bbn (YouTube)
• Village people explaining how they eat humans and dead bodies: https://youtu.be/ECOB7FFwPnU?si=W1x1Qdo1usDYYrEv (YouTube)
• Refugee camp emptied after reports of villagers eating refugees: https://youtu.be/clsxDyHvKaw?si=VB1Ydp6I2bvrKcMz (YouTube)
• A man’s wife and baby were eaten: https://youtu.be/5_0SjlHsGgQ?si=VoYm6WnkwcrN4i5e (YouTube)
• Documentary about Kibaale (neighboring Kagadi District): https://youtu.be/Rm2b5r5-_9E?si=Q35dx0i4SAIvErNe (YouTube)
In addition, New Vision reported in “Kibaale, the hub of cannibalism” (Sept 29, 2013) that locals in areas like Kenga, Buraro, Bwikara, Kyaterekera, and Kamusegu claim that bodies are exhumed and eaten, while skulls are used in witchcraft. Kagadi Police confirmed receiving more than four cases weekly. A primary school teacher was once evicted after being accused of cannibalism, sparking arrests and mob action: https://allafrica.com
Similarly, AllAfrica carried an article, “Bisaka, a Self-Declared God Fighting Cannibalism” (Sept 29, 2013), which echoed these concerns and linked them to deep-seated cultural fears: https://allafrica.com
Despite the shocking stories, we know one thing for sure: children are the real victims here. Many have never received an education. Teachers sent to the area often abandon their posts because of fear and stigma.
==Our Mission in Kagadi Kenga==
We believe that education is the strongest weapon to transform Kagadi Kenga. That is why we are going there — with no other option, even though it’s a 10-hour drive and we will have to take our children with us.
Our vision is to:
• ✅ Build safe spaces for children to learn.
• ✅ Provide basic education where none exists.
• ✅ Work with communities to replace fear and stigma with knowledge and hope.
• ✅ Partner with anyone willing to support change in this forgotten region.
Joseph with the Teachers
In Kagadi Kenga, Joseph has also begun building strong connections with the local teachers, who—despite the challenges—have shown interest in supporting his vision. During community gatherings, they have been seen sharing ideas, strategies, and concerns about how to improve the educational level in the area. Many of them have worked for years under harsh conditions and heavy stigma, but Joseph’s presence has reignited a spark of hope. Together, they are seeking new ways to motivate children and transform the families’ perception of education, replacing fear with knowledge and opportunity.
Joseph with the Students
At the same time, Joseph has had the chance to interact directly with the students of Kenga. In simple makeshift classrooms, the children gather around him, eager to learn and receive the attention that has long been denied to them. With shy but bright smiles, they share their dreams of becoming doctors, teachers, or builders—proof that the seed of hope has already begun to grow. The energy and joy of these students are the strongest motivation to continue the mission, showing that with the right guidance, they can become the future leaders who will break the cycle of fear and neglect in the region.
==How You Can Help==
We cannot do this alone. Together with you, we can change Kagadi Kenga.
• Share this story.
• Partner with us in resources, education materials, or support for our journey.
• Stand with us as we bring light where there has been darkness.
This is not just about fighting rumors or fears — it’s about giving children a future.
For details on what we need funds for, feel free to check out the budget sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bJmHxbG1wrZrltbzoRf55xsI1vcnTM9SB-K57GUGC6o/edit?usp=sharing
In short:
• A $10 donation finances 2-3 daily meals for each of the students for a 3-month term.
• A $14 donation enrolls a student in school for one 3-month term, which includes a small healthcare and school maintenance budget.
• A $52 donation pays for 1 term's admission and additionally covers school materials and teachers' salaries.
• A $62 donation secures 1 school term with materials, salaried teachers, and additionally provides 2-3 daily meals for 1 student.
Joseph is working hard to give his community the visibility it deserves.
You can see him in this recent interview on TV speaking about his cause in his native Luganda language:
If you want to see more images and videos of Kenga's community and the children sharing about their dreams and aspirations, click on this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V45s2V2KPwc8gOM8mfNFl6m6BeH_uU3_?usp=sharing
More active campaigns:
1. Birthday Tree Planting Cake: Greening Uganda
For every child’s birthday, a tree is planted and cared for. This campaign funds environmental camps, eco-education, and sustainable agriculture training.
2. Education for 100 Ugandan Students
Help us keep children in school by providing teachers’ salaries, meals, and essential materials.
You can also learn more about WM Smile Generation here:
==Where to find us==
Main Organization Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gq2PqyhlMsmCjyGvzNAECg
LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-smiling-generation
But the story doesn't end here.
After we succeed in securing the short-term needs of this community in Kenga, and to ensure the children will see their education through to the end, we must move past the rented facility and bring land into community ownership.
We also need to make sure we don't create dependencies on foreign capital to support the basic needs of this community. For this reason, Joseph and his community are working on a plan to upskill the students with highly demanded skills, such as construction, so they can leave the village and access higher-paying jobs. More on that later, so PLEASE stay tuned!
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✊ SMILE GENERATION UGANDA LIMITED – Because every child deserves an education, no matter where they are born.
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