Joan Namunina receives the Yoast Care fund for her contribution to the WordPress community

Meet Joan Namunina, a valued member of the WordPress Community Team! Carol Nabukeera nominated her for the Yoast Care fund because of her commitment and valuable contributions. Let’s learn more about this WordPress enthusiast.

Nominator Carol Nabukeera: “Joan is a dedicated technical writer, digital marketing expert, and community organizer based in Jinja, Uganda. As a Meetup Co-organizer, she has played a key role in growing the local WordPress community, co-organizing WordCamp Jinja (2024, 2025) and Campus Connect Jinja 2025. She actively contributes to the Community and Polyglots teams, serving as a General Translation Editor and Locale Manager for Kinyarwanda, and supports translations in multiple languages. Joan is also a frequent speaker and mentor, advocating for inclusivity and empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups. Her consistent local and global contributions make her a strong nominee for the Yoast Care Fund.“

Let’s get to know Joan Namunina

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

What do you do in the WordPress space?

I am a WordPress community organizer, contributor, writer, and educator based in Jinja, Uganda. I co-organize the WordPress Jinja Meetup community and have been involved in creating spaces where more people, especially young people and underrepresented communities, can discover WordPress and open source.

My work has included organizing meetups, helping with WordPress education initiatives, contributing to the Polyglots team, and supporting Documentation and Training efforts. I am especially passionate about using WordPress as a tool for opportunity, creativity, and digital empowerment, and much of my work focuses on making the ecosystem feel more accessible and welcoming to new contributors.

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

I first discovered WordPress through its practical power. It was not just a tool for building websites, but a platform that allowed people to publish, create, learn, and build businesses without coming from big tech spaces or privileged backgrounds. That immediately resonated with me.

I started contributing because I saw that WordPress is bigger than software. It is a global community built on generosity, knowledge sharing, and the belief that people should have the freedom to create on the web. I wanted to be part of that mission and help open the same doors for others in my community who may never have imagined themselves in tech.

What do you think made you stand out for this nomination?

I believe what may have set me apart is my commitment to making an impact at the community level. I care deeply about growing WordPress in meaningful, local, and sustainable ways. Whether by organizing events, mentoring newcomers, contributing to translation and educational efforts, or reaching students through community initiatives, I try to show up consistently and with heart.

I am especially proud of the work that connects WordPress to real opportunities for young people in Uganda, helping them see technology not as something distant, but as something they can actively participate in. I think this nomination reflects not only my efforts, but also the power of community-driven work rooted in service.

What excites you most about WordPress?

What excites me most about WordPress is that it brings together technology, creativity, and community in a way that is truly life-changing. WordPress allows someone with an idea, a voice, or a dream to build something meaningful and share it with the world. At the same time, the project is powered by people from diverse backgrounds who collaborate, teach, support, and learn from one another.

That combination is incredibly inspiring to me. I am excited that WordPress continues to evolve while still holding onto its open-source values, and I love that there is always room to contribute, grow, and help someone else do the same.

What’s your favorite WordPress memory or something you’re most proud of?

One of the things I am most proud of is helping grow WordPress community efforts in Jinja and contributing to initiatives that bring WordPress closer to students and first-time learners. Seeing people who had never imagined themselves building websites begin to create, ask questions, and feel confident in digital spaces is incredibly meaningful to me.

Some of my favorite memories are not only the big events, but the small moments when someone realizes they belong in this ecosystem, too. Those moments remind me that WordPress is not just about websites. It is about confidence, access, connection, and creating pathways for people to participate in something bigger than themselves.

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