Welcoming Our Growing Team: Building a Stronger Future Together
At Action in Africa, each new face that joins our team brings fresh energy, unique talents, and a deep commitment to our mission. This season, we are thrilled to welcome several new team members, and celebrate the well-earned promotions of those who will play key roles in shaping the future of our work in Uganda.
Meet the newest members of the AIA family, and learn how their skills, stories, and passion are already making an impact.
Paddy Kimbowa
We are delighted to welcome our alumnus and first scholarship recipient, Paddy Kimbowa, as our Construction Projects Coordinator. Paddy has served as a consultant since November 2024 before being elevated to this new role. He joins Action in Africa with eight years of experience, along with a deep passion and commitment to our mission. He is now the driving force behind all ongoing and upcoming construction projects at The Center and our new Sentema Campus.
In this new role, Paddy is responsible for overseeing all AIA construction initiatives. His duties include supporting and evaluating center renovation projects, coordinating with stakeholders on permit requirements, resolving safety concerns, and supervising all on-site developments.
Born in the ‘90s, Paddy grew up in a family of five and attended primary and secondary school locally. Pursuing his dream of becoming an engineer, Paddy enrolled at Butende Technical Institute in Masaka for three years, where he earned both Ordinary and Advanced Certificates in Building and Construction. He later earned a Diploma and a Degree in Civil Engineering from Muteesa, Royal University.
His academic journey also took him abroad. Between 2021 and 2023, he earned an International Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH IGC) in Qatar and a Certificate in Lifting Operations from Vibrant Industrial Safety Training Academy in Qatar.
‘’From that level, my goal of becoming an engineer was achieved,” Paddy said. “Proudly, I am a Civil engineer who has been operating on a personal basis and now a Construction Project Coordinator for my home and a consultant since November last year.’’
Paddy was AIA’s first scholarship beneficiary. His late father, John Sembatya, was a dedicated volunteer for Sarah and a key liaison between AIA and the Nakuwadde community. He facilitated communication, translated for locals, represented community needs to the U.S. team, and helped implement strategies that deeply embedded their family in the fabric of AIA.
Reflecting on his contributions, Paddy said, ‘’When I came, I noticed the need for the new eco-friendly stove from the local one which had created risky environment for both porridge chef and the kids, and it was bought. The pavilion and the Sentema project are on a promising level and so many other structural projects will change The Center in the pipeline.”
He aspires to continue gaining skills in project management, successfully oversee the completion of Sentema Campus, and make a lasting impact on both the organization and the community.
IVAN WANDIT
Every great organization needs someone to lead recruitment, onboarding, policy development, conflict resolution, employee growth, and performance management. At Action in Africa, that person is Ivan Wandit.
Ivan joined AIA in 2024, taking on the newly established role of Human Resource Manager—a position that had never existed in The Center’s ten-year history. His appointment came at a pivotal time and was backed by over a decade of experience managing staff in various HR capacities.
Ivan’s vision is to help AIA grow into an international organization with a strong foundation of values and top-tier talent. He also praised the existing team at the center for their exceptional teamwork, dedication, and service to the community.
Ivan was born in Iganga District, Eastern Uganda, and he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Uganda Christian University. While working at an HR consultancy firm, Ivan discovered his true passion for human resource management. This inspired him to pursue a Postgraduate and Master’s Degree in HR from Uganda Management Institute.
His impressive career includes positions at StarTimes Uganda, Jessa Farm Dairy, and One Acre Fund before joining the AIA team. Ivan is well known for his problem-solving skills, diligence, and commitment—traits that made him the perfect choice for the HR role.
JUDITH AMANYIRE
Judith Amanyire’s passion for supporting underserved populations began in childhood and grew stronger during her time as an English teacher at St. Lawrence Creamland Campus. Her dedication to helping international students—especially those from Sudan, Rwanda, India, and France—learn English earned her a reputation for transforming lives.
“My mother is a retired professional teacher, which inspired me to take up an education course because it deals with managing and handling people,” Judith said.
When AIA posted a vacancy for a Literacy Assistant, Judith saw it as the perfect opportunity to share her love, flexibility, and skills with the Nakuwadde community. Judith joined AIA in February 2025. She is now tasked with implementing literacy programs that help adults improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. She also tracks learner progress and develops curricula that align with the unique needs of the community.
Looking ahead, Judith plans to pursue a postgraduate degree in adult education. Judith holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts with Education from Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara. She commended AIA’s life-changing programs like Women to Women, the Community Library, Adult English Program, and the Scholarship Program.
BERNADATTE ORISHABA
We warmly welcome Bernadette Orishaba, who first joined the AIA family in June 2024 as a part-time Creative Writing Facilitator. In January 2025, she was promoted to Youth Programs Coordinator.
In her new role, Bernadette is responsible for implementing the PPP curriculum, facilitating creative learning sessions, and coordinating teacher development workshops. She dreams of expanding AIA’s youth programs nationally and creating inclusive opportunities for all students, regardless of background.
Bernadatte earned a Degree in Film and Drama from Makerere University where she focused on her goals of becoming a script writer, director of films, drama, and photography, which were at the centre of her interest.
During her internship, Bernadatte trained with figures like Alex Mukulu, Charles James Ssenkubuge, Andrew Benon Kibuuka, and Leila Kalanzi Kachapizo, and featured in prominent educational films including Cease Fire.
Her experiences exposed her to the challenges of the entertainment industry—poverty, desperation, exploitation—which led her to focus on applied theatre. This form of drama empowers communities by dramatizing real-life problems and proposing solutions.
Her promotion to Youth Programs Coordinator was a natural fit due to her outstanding work with students and youth through creative writing and applied theatre.
SHABAN GIZAMBA
Information Communication Technology (ICT) is instrumental in every organization, and at The Center, the person leading this critical work is Shaban Gizamba, who joined the team in April 2025.
Shaban is a professional ICT teacher with over 10 years of experience in the education sector, having begun his teaching career in 2014. He was born in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Arts with Education, specializing in ICT, from the Islamic University in Uganda (Mbale campus).
Before joining AIA, Shaban gained extensive experience in ICT coordination through roles at schools such as University Link High School and Uganda Cooperative College, Tororo. He has also served as an ICT examiner, assessor, and consultant in competence-based training.
At Action in Africa, Shaban is responsible for delivering ICT training to community members, staff, and interns. He also provides IT support and maintenance, oversees monitoring and reporting, and manages IT materials.
Shaban aspires to pursue a master’s degree in his field to deepen his knowledge and explore management-related coursework. He also hopes to collaborate with external institutions such as Makerere University to bring in experts who can teach his students specialized skills like programming, animation, and web design—areas where he currently seeks additional support.
