Cristy S

The Architects of Rubuguri Creating Space for Women to Rise Every strong community has women who quietly and consistently keep it together. Gloria is one of those women. Gloria and her husband, Happy, were both born in Rubuguri. Like many young people seeking opportunity, they moved to Kampala, where they attended university and started building their lives. But when their first son was born, they made a decision that would shape not only their family’s future but also that of an entire community. They decided to return home.   Gloria B. Community Leader and Women’s Empowerment Advocate        Once a week, Gloria brings these women together! They weave baskets. They chat. They sing. They dance. It looks like an afternoon gathering, but it’s actually something bigger—a space where women reclaim their voice, their skills, and their power. Returning wasn’t just about geography. It was about responsibility, belonging, and choosing service over comfort. When I met Gloria, she was five weeks away from giving birth, yet she kept showing up week after week for the women of Rubuguri. Through her work with the villages, she teaches women how to sew and, more importantly, how to build independence and confidence through their own skills. Gloria holds weekly gatherings with women from various villages, creating a safe and empowering space. They weave baskets, share stories, laugh freely, and support each other. And then, almost always, they sing and dance, grounding their work in joy, culture, and connection. What Gloria is building goes far beyond just income generation. She is fostering community, dignity, and belief—proof that empowerment doesn’t always come from speeches or funding but from showing women what they are capable of. Seeing her work reveals that actual change can appear subtle, but it is deeply impactful. Gloria isn’t just supporting the women of Rubuguri. She’s walking alongside them, strengthening the community from within.   These women are from a different village, but Gloria made sure they weren’t forgotten. She taught them to sew, equipping them with skills that translate to independence and income. Real empowerment means showing up—even when it’s not convenient. This is Immaculate—a woman who inherited a coffee plantation and is making it thrive. Gloria makes sure women like her are supported, connected, and empowered to succeed. In Rubuguri, women’s empowerment isn’t just talk. It’s women lifting women, one success story at a time!

The Architects of Rubuguri The Visionary Who Returned Home to Build a Better Future I first learned about Happy Bruno while exploring the work of the Bwindi Conservation for Future Generations and the possibility of a partnership focused on sustainable tourism. After several WhatsApp conversations, it became clear that I needed to meet him and experience his work firsthand. That curiosity ultimately led me to Uganda.      Happy Bruno Co-Founder, Bwindi Foundation for Future Generations | Mayor, Rubuguri Town Council     I met many remarkable people during my time in Uganda, but some left a stronger impression. Happy Bruno is one of those, and yes, that is his real name! Happy was named after his mother, ‘Happiness,’ carrying forward a legacy of optimism and purpose. Although his college studies in Kampala could have led him far from home, Happy and his wife, Gloria, intentionally chose to return to Rubuguri. There, in the community where he was born, he committed himself to giving back everything he had learned. He is the co-founder of the Bwindi Foundation for Future Generations. Currently, he serves as Mayor of Rubuguri Town Council, a role that symbolizes trust, responsibility, and genuine commitment rather than ambition. But titles only show part of the story. Happy works tirelessly to ensure his community not only survives but genuinely thrives. Through the foundation, he supports conservation efforts while empowering women and children across 16 villages near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. His work connects environmental protection with human well-being, recognizing that the future of the forest and the future of the people are intertwined. He is also a deeply dedicated father. Happy has two biological sons, with another child on the way. He has opened his home and heart to many adopted children, ensuring they have access to education and opportunities. He often steps in when circumstances fall short. What stayed with me most wasn’t just how much he does, but how grounded he remains. Whether discussing village development, education, conservation, or the future of his children or the women in the villages, Happy leads with humility, consistency, and purpose. Some people grow into their names. Happy Bruno lives up to his name by choosing to return, serve, and stay!   Read “My Interview with Happy.” The children of Rubuguri, whose school is in desperate need of rebuilding. Happy ensures they’re supported, but he knows it’s not enough. He asked me, pleaded with me: to help them get what they deserve: a real school. Not because he’s their mayor, but because he refuses to accept that poverty should determine a child’s future. Truly an honor to trek with this group; true conservationists who dedicate their lives to making the world better. They don’t separate wildlife protection from community empowerment. They understand it’s all connected. Walking alongside them was a reminder that real change happens when people show up and do the work.

The Architects of Rubuguri A Life Dedicated to Children and Community Some people make noise openly. Others change the world quietly, so quietly that you only notice their impact when you start listening to the stories. Silver is one of those people. Before becoming a co-founder of the Bwindi Conservation for Generations Foundation, Silver was a schoolteacher, and at heart, he still is. His passion has always been education, especially for children who are often left behind solely because of where they were born.   Silver Co-Founder, Bwindi Conservation for Generations Foundation | Owner of Nshongi Camp         In this part of Uganda, many children live far from schools. Even government schools require fees that families cannot afford. For some, the cost of a uniform or books is already impossible. Instead of accepting this reality, Silver chose to challenge it. Using his personal resources, he established and funded the Rushaga Community School. It was built for children who otherwise would not have access to education. The school operates on a sliding fee scale, determined solely by what families can afford, which, in many cases, is almost nothing. There is minimal external funding or donations, and time after time, Silver steps in, using his own money to cover the shortfall, support the children, and pay the teachers. But his work goes far beyond the classroom. I’ve spoken to several people who speak highly of Silver, and what stands out most is how he doesn’t take credit for everything he’s done. He gives seeds to women so they can plant crops to feed their families or sell at the market. He provides money for basket-weaving materials, empowering women to create items they can sell for income. He buys food for children who would otherwise go hungry. He pays school fees when families cannot afford them. During my stay, I heard story after story. There were plenty of quiet testimonials from people whose lives were altered by him; Silver paid for their schooling when there was no hope. A family supported when there were no options left. A child who learned to read because Silver believed they deserved that chance. When I spoke with Silver directly, he never talked about what he had done for the school, the children, or the community. Instead, he spoke about what still needs to be done, how to better support the children, and about rebuilding the school, which has deteriorated over time. When I shared that I had brought a suitcase filled with sports equipment, especially baseballs, his face lit up. He spoke excitedly about how meaningful it would be for the children and said it would be an excellent idea to bring someone who could teach them how to play. It was a small moment, but it revealed so much about him: even in joy, his focus remained on opportunity, learning, and what might be possible next for the Children of Rushaga. And perhaps, before long, that wish will become a reality! Silver also owns Nshongi Camp, a lodge just 500 meters from the forest edge. It’s one of those rare places where nature constantly reminds you who truly lives there, with occasional sightings of mountain gorillas, elephants, monkeys, and antelopes as part of everyday life. The camp reflects him perfectly: grounded, purposeful, and deeply connected to the land and community. To meet Silver is to understand that authentic leadership doesn’t stem from position or authority; it arises from service, sacrifice, and consistency. It was truly an honor to have crossed paths with a man who has quietly shaped the future of so many children and will continue to do so for generations to come.   This is Silver, Happy, and me at Nshongi Camp restaurant with Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest literally at our backs. The forest is close enough to walk into, and gorillas, elephants, monkeys, and antelopes are regularly seen. Silver co-founded the Bwindi Conservation of Generations Foundation with Happy, but what struck me most were the stories people shared. He helped many children and families without ever making a noise about it.   If you’re visiting this part of Uganda, stay at Nshongi Camp. And don’t rush through. This place, these people, this forest—they’re worth more than a quick stop.