Hanifah Nabayinda receives the Yoast Care fund for her contribution to the WordPress community

Meet Hanifah Nabayinda, a valued member of the WordPress community! Hope Nabateregga nominated her for the Yoast Care fund because of her commitment and valuable contributions. Let’s learn more about this passionate WordPress enthusiast.

Nominator Hope Nabateregga: “Hanifah Nabyinda is an extraordinary contributor to the WordPress community, particularly in Uganda and Africa, whose dedication and innovative efforts deserve recognition through the Yoast Care Fund. With over 15 years of experience as a Luganda language instructor, Hanifah has brought her expertise to WordPress by translating the platform into Luganda, making it more accessible to Luganda-speaking communities and expanding WordPress’s reach in East Africa. Her work as a translator aligns with the open-source ethos of inclusivity and empowerment.

Hanifah’s contributions extend far beyond translation. She was a co-organizer for WordCamp Masaka 2023, helping to bring the WordPress community together in Uganda. Her leadership shone even brighter when she took on the role of lead organizer for the ‘WordPress in Education Showcase’ on April 6, 2024, in Masaka, Uganda. This event was a groundbreaking milestone: the first NextGen WordPress event in Uganda and Africa, drawing nearly 100 participants, including students, educators, and tech enthusiasts. By showcasing how WordPress can be integrated into Uganda’s educational systems, Hanifah not only fostered innovation but also inspired a new generation of WordPress users and contributors. She is currently a co-organizer for WordCamp Masaka 2025, continuing her commitment to building the community.

Hanifah’s unpaid volunteer work reflects her passion for education, technology, and community-building. Her efforts have had a tangible impact, bridging linguistic and educational gaps while promoting WordPress as a tool for learning and growth. I nominate her for the Yoast Care Fund to honor her tireless dedication and to support her ongoing contributions to the WordPress ecosystem.”

Let’s get to know Hanifah Nabayinda

Those are some lovely words by Hope. Let’s get to know Hanifah a bit better and ask her some questions about her work and passion for WordPress:

Hi, Hanifah! How did you first discover WordPress, and why did you start contributing?

I first discovered WordPress during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 when Moses Ssebuwufu built a WordPress-based platform for my school to continue online learning while schools in Uganda were closed. This experience revealed the power of WordPress, especially in education, and inspired me to contribute to translations, aiming to localize it into Luganda and make it more accessible to my local communities.

What excites you most about WordPress?

WordPress bridges linguistic, educational, and technological gaps. It’s a platform for empowerment that enables people with limited resources to create, learn, and grow online. I’ve witnessed this firsthand with my students, educators, and community members. The diverse, welcoming community keeps me motivated, and I’m proud to contribute by translating strings and organizing events in my hometown, making a global impact locally.

What’s one WordPress-related goal you have for this year?

My key goal is to expand local language contributions to WordPress, particularly Luganda. I plan to organize translation contributor days and encourage participation from local educators and students.

I’m also developing a program focused on teaching WordPress in high schools, vocational institutions, and universities. I welcome like-minded individuals, groups, and companies to join me in teams for technical support and funding. By increasing language accessibility and showing practical educational applications, I hope to make WordPress more valuable and engaging for Ugandan youth and teachers alike.

Who is your WordPress mentor?

My mentor is Moses Ssebuwufu. He introduced me to WordPress and has guided me from my first translation contribution to co-organizing major events like WordCamp Masaka in 2023 and 2025, as well as organizing the WordPress in Education Showcase 2024 (a NextGen Event). Moses is deeply committed to community building and education, and his support has empowered me to contribute meaningfully. He doesn’t just teach—he inspires others to lead. I’ve learned so much from his example of collaboration, consistency, and giving back.

Where can people connect with you online, at WordCamps, or other meetups?

People can find me on X. As a co-organizer for WordCamp Masaka 2025, I’ll be there from July 18-19, 2025. I’m always open to connecting and having meaningful conversations, so feel free to reach out!

Thank you for this interview, Hanifah, and for all your contributions to the WordPress community! Do you know someone like Hanifah Nabayinda who also deserves to be in the spotlight? Go to our Yoast Care page and nominate them right away.