About Us

Our Story

About IRAJI Foundation

In the heart of Kampala in 2022, amid the vibrant hum of Uganda's youth dreaming big yet facing steep odds, the Iraji Foundation was sparked to life—not just as an organization, but as a beacon of hope for the next generation. Founded by Nsubuga Rashid, Kasule Bashir and dedicated colleagues who passionately advocate for social development. a passionate diplomat with a Master's in Diplomacy and a lifetime immersed in humanitarian activism, Pan-Africanism, and the raw potential of young people, we registered with the Uganda National NGO Bureau on July 28, 2025. Our vision was simple yet soul-stirring: to ignite the fire within Uganda's youth, transforming their challenges into triumphs of leadership and compassion, all rooted in the timeless Islamic values of justice, service, and unity.

Our story is one of young hearts rising—guided by our pillars of Duty to Allah and Nerve to Serve, where spiritual devotion fuels bold action. But it's the Nerve to Serve that truly pulses with the energy of tomorrow's leaders. We began with a profound belief that youth aren't just the future; they are the force reshaping it now. Picture a 16-year-old girl in a rural classroom, her eyes lighting up during a Democracy Lab mock election, where she steps into the role of a policymaker for the first time, debating climate justice with the fire of someone who knows her voice can change her village. Or a shy high school boy, mentored through the NextGen Leaders Program, who finds the courage to organize a community clean-up, turning barren land into a thriving garden that feeds his neighbors and heals old divides.

From those early days, we've poured our souls into projects that hand the reins to youth, watching them weave magic from mentorship and advocacy. In Bridges of Faith, Muslim and Christian teens—once strangers across invisible lines—link arms for interfaith dialogues and joint projects, like the 2025 Kampala clean-up that not only cleared streets but mended hearts, fostering friendships that echo the Prophet's call for peace. Through the Uganda Muslim Schools Speech and Debate Tournament (UMSSDT), we've seen hundreds of students, voices trembling at first, blossom into eloquent advocates, debating SDGs with such passion that one 2024 winner went on to rally her school for girls' education scholarships, proving that words can build worlds.

These aren't just programs; they're lifelines. By 2025, we've empowered over 5,000 youth—many from the margins—who've led initiatives touching 16,000 lives, from youth-driven water advocacy tied to Aqua Access Uganda to peacebuilding workshops that turn conflict into conversation. Take Aisha, a Democracy Lab alumna who, at 17, spoke at a national youth forum, her words sparking policy changes for inclusive governance. Or Yusuf from NextGen Leaders, who transformed his grief over lost opportunities into a mentorship circle for orphans, blending our Duty to Allah with unyielding Nerve to Serve.

Today, as the sun sets over Uganda's resilient landscapes, our story whispers of unbreakable hope. It's the tearful hug from a mentee who says, "Iraji showed me I could lead," or the collective cheer at a UMSSDT finale where rivals become allies. We blend sacred devotion—through Quran distributions and Ramadan feasts—with the electric drive of youth leading governance training and cultural exchanges. This isn't merely a foundation; it's a symphony of young souls harmonizing for a world where every child, especially the overlooked, doesn't just survive—they soar, lead, and love fiercely.

Join us in this touching tapestry. Your hand in ours can amplify their voices, turning whispers of potential into roars of change. Together, let's write the next chapter where Uganda's youth don't just dream—they dazzle.