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By Author Yesigye Brian

The journey to Bwera, Kasese District, Sam Bright Muhindo’s home is a trip to remember, filled with shock, agony, and ecstasy,

It is just 2 months away from the mission to change his life at Namuwaya Education Centre where he joined Baby Class, he received a heroic welcome from friends, neighbors, and other admirers, but there was nobody to receive him from his house.

The 6-year-old Sam and a team from the Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation endured the early morning dew to return Muhindo to Kasese to check on his dearest family.

It is either routine or transformation, the dancing hero, does not sleep along the long the way, it was hardly an hour on the road and by 6:00 AM, Sam requested his Holiday Package and with the help of his “soul” sister, Irunga Charlene (Pinky) he executed it very well.

The ever ‘Jolly’ Muhindo (The first boy in his family dominated by girls) does not stop amazing when it comes to dancing. Along the way, Sam gave his pals the company they deserve, his signature dance. Sam is a glory to watch! Hundreds of his fans all over the world prayed to see Sam again.

Among the lucky ones was a South African lady who had a long chat with Sam via WhatsApp, they talked about many things including a probable visit to Uganda. Lusanda Adonis is Sam’s admirer and a great friend, they share a lot of fun whenever a chance could pop in, this time around on a Whatsapp video call, Lusanda had to sing for Sam on request and Sam had to return the favor while reciting baby class songs like Big Elephant and Head, Shoulders….knees….(Parts of the Body).

Lusanda gave Sam a video tour of her house and even introduced Sam to her noisy dogs in the background after his curiosity about the noise in their private talk.

After reaching Mbarara, Sam met another fun, Marion Kabasiita Akatuhwera, who hosted Sam and his team with a heavy breakfast at Food Mart Restaurant. The two hugged each other as if they had met before.

“I found myself so attached to him and am very excited meeting him for the very first time. He is favored, whenever they post something, he has a lot of following.” she expressed.

Marion called upon people to come on board and support Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation before he commended Pinky for being a good sister to Sam.

Shock at Sam’s Home, Nobody is Home.

Despite the heroic welcome from the village and his friends, Sam didn’t catch any of his family members at home. He deliberately wanted to surprise them but none of his parents or his siblings were either home or their known place of work.

Upon reaching the old dilapidated house, Sam was home, he reached out to the door, opened checked in, and nobody was home. The little wonder had carried with him some gifts which were sponsored by a social media follower, Ben Gavin.

Sam treated his old friends with a round of sweets and biscuits, the old and the young, and all of them equally got served. In his maiden speech to his friends all over the world, Sam chose to speak in English and also shared what he has achieved in school for the last two and half months, slightly later than the normal school calendar but he had something to account for to show them that not only his healthy look changed but also he could speak some good English though he mixes with 3 languages (English, Luganda, and Lukhonzo) while communicating.

Finally, his father returns home, he said he was from work and when he was asked about Sam’s mother and his siblings, Katsumbyo Julius replied that there was a wedding in the village which his wife dared not to miss.

After seeing his father, both could not hide their joy and happiness, it was time for Sam and his team to rest after a long journey. The young boy could not wait to meet his mother the following day but he had to rest.

So we went to rest to prepare for another day.

We all have dreams. As children, we dream of being astronauts or firemen. Soldiers or nurses. Musicians or actors. As we mature, we become more focused and either choose a career in life or settle for one. We either choose for ourselves or allow others or circumstances to choose for us.

The dream is on, to be a doctor or a mechanic? Acileo Muwanguzi 12-years-old could be your technician to rely on in the next course of life when you have a fleet of cars parked in your compound and you need a technician to rely on.

Yes, Muwanguzi – Winner, as literally the name is translated, may be young and not a “mechanic” or a “doctor” in the future as he wishes but never underestimate the power of words.

A 21st century Jewish Rabbi shared this striking statement about the power of words: “Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively use words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.”

Think of the power words wield and the impact words can make if we become more intentional about encouraging our sponsored children. The right words make all the difference. That’s all Bravo is doing to this boy!

When you choose to think positively and so speak, you will be on Muwanguzi’s clientele list when he drives to your home to give back life to your car(s) and the fleet of motorbikes lying dead in your figurative compound. Or, he will come back to his home with a white gown and the stethoscope, a medical tool around his neck to listen to his father’s heart if it is beating back to life.

Oh yes! Am cruising you into Acileo Muwanguzi’s virtual reality world, the orbit of realities and possibilities that, prevailing circumstances have no place in your space but where you’re going matters.

“I want to be a mechanic in the future and repair cars and motorcycles and anything that comes my way that requires my expertise,” he told a TV Reporter in his one-on-one interview after hitting the new opportunity.

When he was saying bye to his daddy who suffered a stroke and is ailing in his wheelchair lying hopelessly in a single-room-dilapidated house in Kasangati, Buyinza Zone, Gayaza Road 15KM from Kampala, Muwanguzi at least doesn’t show that he is done with the world.

Speaking full of hope and happiness, he declares to redeem his aging father with a lot of expectations he will gain from going back to school, thanks to Bravo Shoes under their Bravo Shoe Community Support.

“As we picked Muwanguzi Acleo to go and resume his education he had abandoned school to look after his father who had suffered a stroke. We are happy that he accepted to go back to school,” said Brian Yesigye the CEO of Bravo Shoes.

The Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation was able to stock all the necessary school requirements for Muwanguzi a Primary 5 student and he was treated to a beautiful lunch at Café Jevas before he headed to join his new schoolmates at  Namuwaya Education Centre where his scholarship is sponsored by Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation.

On 06 August 2021, Muwanguzi was shown on the national television, Spark TV looking after his father before he broke down in tears pleading for help and one door of opportunity opened. At least for education! His daddy was hit helplessly by a stroke and could neither talk nor walk, the 12-year-old boy had to sacrifice school and take care of his family for the last few years.

Before he was taken over by the organization to continue school until when he finishes university.

His father Aloysious Bangula, 72-years-old is among the over 300 new stroke patients recorded since 2019, from195 in 2015 and in 2013, the figure of Ugandans reportedly to have suffered a stroke and were undergoing rehabilitation was 104.

Muwanguzi faces the tough challenge of taking care of his father with a health complication not familiar with poor families.

The old man is now under the free care of Biyinzika Ministries in Mukono treating High blood pressure and stroke by Dr. Ismael Musiime who commended the boy for his responsibility so far.

“We may not get a remarkable improvement if we live all this to the boy,” he said.

To understand Bangula’s condition, Dr. Ibrahim Bukenya, the Managing Director of the Uganda Stroke Foundation says despite the rise in reported cases, there’s still an information gap as far as strokes are concerned. Many Ugandans he says never know when they are suffering from a stroke.

“Many people who suffer from stroke do not know they are going through it when it happens. Even when they are rushed to hospitals, some of them come to us when they do not understand that the condition can be revered with physiotherapy. Some think it is a death sentence,” says Dr. Bukenya.

A stroke is a condition that affects the brain. It occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced or blocked which then stops oxygen and the flow of nutrients to the brain. As a result, brain cells start dying hence the inability of somebody’s parts to function as expected.

Figures from the health ministry show that the number of Ugandans suffering from stroke has been on the rise and figures from the Uganda Stroke Foundation show that from 2013 to date, an increase of over 100 percent in the number of stroke cases has been recorded in the country.

Bravo Shoes Uganda could be known for making shoes, especially for girls and boys of the school-going age, little did they know that one day, a little soul will spiritually connect with the brand.

A photo of a 9- year- old became viral on social media recently, clad in an oversize blue shirt and navy blue shorts admiring a fellow age mate on the banner attached to the Bravo Shoes van, smart in a school uniform, a pair of stockings, and fancy shoes, this captured Bwire’s curiosity and attention little did he know that someone was watching.

They say that a picture speaks a thousand words; the barefooted Bwire, who was a student of Walyembwa Primary School, Bumahna Sub-county, Luuka District in Eastern Uganda, stays with his 76-year-old grandmother Ruth Tebaryala.

At Walyembwa P. S, on random day pick, you find over 70% of the close to 1,000 students there, barefooted, perhaps their parents could not afford to buy them shoes or it is not such a big issue.

The Life-Changing Shot

Solomon Kitaka, a photographer who took Elvis Bwire’s life–changing-photo narrates what triggered him to take Bwire’s photos who was staring at the car which was parked and he was standing admiring the pictures on the van.

“He was looking at the boy who was putting these shoes and smart in his uniform and this boy (BWIRE) was barefooted, he was putting on a dirty old uniform so he was trying to admire a fellow boy picture on the van. Our activities were going on, Bravo Shoes was doing the community social responsibility and as I was standing around to capture different events, I saw this boy admiring this picture so I was so touched and decided to take a picture of him,” narrates Kitaka

According to Kitaka, he didn’t know that Bwire’s photo would go viral and it would change his life.

“Am so glad, I feel so happy! I feel a lot of satisfaction that that picture was able to change this boy’s life,” he expressed.

It was his curiosity that drove him from a crowd of other pupils to come close to the packed van! He didn’t mind whether barefooted or not. He got up with the subconsciousness that made him luckier! He was Lucky that in his lost fear he went close to the van and see how the cameraman accelerated his luck!

He still needed someone to bring him to the limelight! There comes the City Centre complex Shoe Merchant Bravo Shoes Uganda.

It has always been urged that luck is sudden, unexpected, and indefinable. But from the Story of Elvis Bwire, luck isn’t such kind of magic! It’s his attitude and curiosity.

As of today, Bwire was awarded a full bursary to complete Primary Section by one of the associates of Bravo Shoes Community Support.  At Namuwaya Education  Centre and his scholarship from Bravo Shoes Community Support runs until he reaches the level of the university.

Before Bwire could bid an emotional farewell to his fellow schoolmates, the mood at school was cold, you could clearly see the sadness in the eyes of other students. Many if not the majority were in a similar situation to Elvis Bwire.

Bwire could fast get out of the car, probably aware of what is next in his new journey of life but her grandmother delayed probably reminiscing how she was going to miss her naught grandson she has raised from babyhood. He majestically came out like a king clad in his new uniform and a “PERFECT” pair of the shoes he admired in the picture.

In the company of the Walyembwa Primary School Headmaster and the Bravo Shoes Community Support founder, Bwire looked emotional and composed, he has to say goodbye to those he has grown up with and head to Kampala hundreds of miles away from those he knew better.

“Good morning everybody, good morning everyone, I take this opportunity to introduce to you our visitors who have come here for the fourth time. They’re here to empower us, they have given us books, and shoes but most of all, they have identified a student they are going to help! He has been your fellow student in Primary two. The chance has caught him and he will be studying in one of the schools in Kampala,” said Charles Maganda the HM.

Maganda added that the spirit shown by Bravo Shoes Community Support has inspired many parents and students to continue having hope in education and the projects that the school will attract many other students lagging back home to rejoin school with a lot of expectations from Bravo.

When given the opportunity to speak, the emotional Bwire said that he is on a mission to go and study in Kampala, “I have gone to study, never think I have gone to play. I am so grateful for this opportunity that God has made. God is so great am going to study in Kampala schools, Namuwaya Education Centre,” he said.

Grand mum’s faded Hope

Ruth Tibryala with 5 grandchildren had lost hope following the outbreak of the pandemic, however, Bwire’s grandmother was reading life on a different script and when the news came about her grandson acquiring a scholarship, she was overwhelmed by excitement.

“She thought it was the end of life since the country was grappling with the Covid19 pandemic and her grandson would not make it since the schools were closed,” said one of the friends close to the family.

Never joke with the African when it comes to choosing names, from his ethnic attachment, the name ‘Suubi’ means HOPE, research indicates that hope can help us manage stress and anxiety and cope with adversity. It contributes to our well-being and happiness and motivates positive action. Hopeful people believe they can influence their goals, that their efforts can have a positive impact.

He left home with a dilapidated funny-worthless-metallic box full of lags, old shoes, and maybe books (in the mind of people who cyberbullied him) but to him, he was armed with catalysts that would help him achieve goals, desires, and dreams.

His head was loaded with words of power from his single mother, Rose Nalwanga, she spoke HOPE, its meaning, into (his) life. And hope does not disappoint. His journey from Mpigi District where he hails might have been rocky but it is safe to say he has found himself a soft and safe landing.

Rose Nalwanga, is a mother of eight children who are on a mission to collect a lorry full of firewood as a way of paying for their school fees. She survives on an avalanche of loans from banks, microfinance institutions, local SACCOs, and individuals who can bear with her.

Suubi Henry Kiyimba, a Makerere University fresher then who was attacked on social media for carrying a metallic suitcase to begin his university life, has been granted a full scholarship to study his dream course at Makerere.

The tweet said, ‘#HeyFreshers A rare picture of a fresher attached to University Hall (U.H) reporting today with his S.1 metal case and Osoufia (insert laugh emojis)’. It was the morning of August 6^th, 2019.

Suubi captured the attention of many Ugandans on social media when a photo of him surfaced on Twitter being trolled for his metallic case and ‘Ousofia’ bag. Many pledged to turn his ‘misfortunes’ into success.

For the reporting period of first-time (freshers) MUK students, the hashtag #HeyFreshers was used on Twitter. All and miscellaneous ‘jumped onto’ it while sharing pictures of unsuspecting students and making unsolicited comments meant to provoke or for the fun of it.

One such tweet was of a male student carrying a black backpack, blue metallic suitcase, and a large shopping bag in his right hand making his approach to University Hall, one of the many halls of residence at MUK.

The tweet attracted the empathy of many, led in large part, by Ugandan journalist with the BBC’s, Allan Kasujja. In his quote of the mocking tweet, he asked if anyone knew who the student in the picture was stating, ‘We want to lay a table for him before his shamers!’ and calling on his friends from the media and other professions to join him in this. It was the afternoon of August 7th.

He was admitted on a government scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree of Science with Education (Economics) after attaining 17 points at UACE from St. Bruno Sserunkuma S.S Goli where he studied Physics, Economics, and Mathematics (PEM).

A campaign to find him ensued and in his words, Suubi said that his dream course would have been engineering but his parents could not afford to privately fund him for the course and that if it was not for the government which offered him a place at the university, he wouldn’t be able to join the tertiary institution.

He has since made a stint at Joadah Consult and Development Infrastructure, a construction company, offered Suubi a full sponsorship to his dream course in mechanical Engineering at Makerere University and the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between them, Makerere University, and Suubi.

“Joadah Consult and Development Infrastructure would like to give our official offer for a full scholarship for Mr. Suubi Henry Kiyimba for a course in Mechanical Engineering at Makerere University,” the letter reads in part.

Suubi made his first day at the School of Engineering on Monday, August 11, 2019, as he officially awaited results from his application for a change of course.  He was admitted to do a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, one of the top 3 Engineering programs.

Before Bravo Shoes joined his wardrobe, Suubi shared his needs and among them was a school fees debt of Ush2 million owed to his high school where his UACE pass slip was withheld. By 11th August, Ush1.57 million had been collected from well-wishers. His other needs were a laptop, beddings, clothes, stationery, a suitcase, a mobile phone, and food which Ruth Aine, a blogger, published as Sssubi’s wish list. The 2 million school fees debt was cleared.

Suubi with 3 of his siblings, join a handful of those whose career has been fine-tuned by Bravo Shoes brand under its foundation.

By Yesigye Brian

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller…. Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter…. Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I…..

Lyrics from Kelly Clarkson an American singer, songwriter, a real-life song with a strong message about how to encounter the negative side of life.

We may not know much about what exactly goes on in the life of a six–year–old, but the driving force inside Sam Bright Muhindo overzealous spirit is something to reckon with, the skill, composition; when you watch him dancing, it tells us that, in every situation, be a Muhindo! a little boy who danced for a living to take care of his family before his life changed.

The six-year-old who entertains villagers through his dancing move went viral on TikTok thanks to his dancing skills. He has now turned a popular opera in the handsets of the many.

The confident, talented schoolboy was recently enrolled at the Namuwaya Education Centre, Kampala, Uganda after his dance talent caught the eyes of kindhearted folks who ensured he acquired education. In a short clip shared by Bravo Shoes Uganda on Facebook, the little dancer covered his face with his palms as he started off slowly.

Utilizing the small space at the center created by older students who encompassed him, Bright showed lovely legwork. He then slowly added feminine-like waist moves to the legwork and would occasionally cover his face while his performance lasted. The students and teachers couldn’t help but watch the dancehall king in awe.

Muhindo, like many African kids who through no fault of their background despite being predisposed to the pawns of poverty, is driven by ambition, infused with talent, and anchors a humungous ambition. All he knew was his little rural village in Bwera, Kasese, yet he harbors aspirations to see the cars and the tall buildings in Uganda’s capital of Kampala.

He is the 7th of nine siblings, none of whom has gone to school. At the tender age of 6, although very strange to many of our global citizens, he was also a breadwinner for his family.  He was able to do this by dancing at functions in other villages, some as far as 5 kilometers from his home. His home has never housed a television nor an FM radio; he has never been trained to dance; he has never gone to school, but he has an innate talent of dancing. Meet the affable, talented, and global phenomenon,

In February 2022, Sam, from the countryside of the southeastern part of Uganda, Bwera, Kasese District, shoe-less video dancing at a local function went viral. His video touched the world through different social media platforms. Upon seeing this video, the Bravo Shoes Uganda sought to find him some 500 kilometers from the capital of Kampala. Since then, Sam has been afforded a life-changing opportunity, and today he is registered at Namuwaya Education Centre, Kampala, where he is on a scholarship. The Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation will sponsor Sam’s education up to university.

May he continue to be curious, open to learning, willing to share, and prepared to go to the places he has always dreamed of.

The Bravo Shoes Community Support continues to plant flowers in others’ gardens, and as such, the foundation positions itself to be a bouquet.

“When we arrived at his home, we asked him to make a challenge for us in the original clothes he was putting on in the very first video he made,” Yesigye Brian told  www.tuko.co.ke

At that function, people gave him money and he went to the market to buy himself Nigina (local word meaning plastic shoes then gave the rest of the money, to his mum for buying food, “added Yesigye Brian Bravo.

By empowering Sam Bright Muhindo, thousands of candles can be lighted from this single candle.

“We are happy that Sam’s rural village has joined us in celebrating what he has achieved, and he is being fashioned to raise the bar a little higher as he matures into a man of service and humility,”.

Please join the Bravo Shoes Community Support Org in unearthing, molding, and investing in the many Sam’s who live in hope, that one day, they too can impact the world with their greatness.

Statistics indicate that 90% of the school-going children in Kasese did not return to their respective schools after the lockdown was eased and the rise of Covid-19 community cases scared many parents from sending children back to school. However, this has turned many school-going children like Muhindo breadwinners for their respective families.

The district is grappling with a number of human development challenges that include the high poverty incidence levels, currently estimated at 48.4% of the population compared to a national average of 31.1%; and a rapid population growth rate3 of 3.6% compared to the national average of 3.4%

Kasese has a population of over 700,000 people according to the 2014 National Population and Housing Census.

Like many of our African kids who through no fault of theirs despite being predisposed to the pawns of poverty, he is driven by ambition, infused with talent, and anchors a humungous ambition. All he knew was his little rural village in Bwera, Kasese, yet he harbors aspirations to see the cars and the tall buildings in Uganda’s capital of Kampala.

He is the 7th of nine siblings, none of whom has gone to school. At the tender age of 6, although very strange to many of our global citizens, he was also a breadwinner for his family.  He was able to do this by dancing at functions in other villages, some as far as 5 kilometers from his home. His home has never housed a television nor an FM radio; he has never been trained to dance; he has never gone to school, but he has an innate talent of dancing. Meet the affable, talented, and global phenomenon, Sam Bright Muhindo (Sam).

In February 2022, Sam, from the countryside of the southeastern part of Uganda, Bwera, Kasese District, shoe-less video dancing at a local function went viral. His video touched the world through different social media platforms. Upon seeing this video, the Bravo Shoe brand sought to find him some 500 kilometers from the capital of Kampala. Since then, Sam has been afforded a life-changing opportunity, and today he is registered at (Insert the name of the school) Education Institute, where he is on a scholarship. The Bravo Shoes Community Support will sponsor Sam’s education up to university.

May he continue to be curious, open to learning, willing to share, and prepared to go to the places he has always dreamed of.

The Shoes Community Support

continues to plant flowers in others’ gardens, and as such, the foundation positions itself to be a bouquet.

By empowering Sam Muhindo, thousands of candles can be lighted from this single candle. We are happy that Sam’s rural village has joined us in celebrating what he has achieved, and he is being fashioned to raise the bar a little higher as he matures into a man of service and humility.

Please join the Shoes Community Support in unearthing, molding, and investing in the many Sam’s who live in hope, that one day, they too can impact the world with their greatness.