Moses Ssebuwufu receives the Yoast Care fund for his contribution to the WordPress community

Meet Moses Ssebuwufu, a cherished member of the WordPress Community Team! His dedication and valuable contributions to the community are the very reason why Hanifah Nabayinda nominated him for the Yoast Care fund. Let’s get to know this passionate WordPress enthusiast a bit better.

Nominator Hanifah Nabayinda: “Moses Ssebuwufu is a pivotal figure in shaping the digital landscape of Uganda’s WordPress Community. He has successfully organized and hosted WordCamp Masaka in 2023, and is actively leading the Masaka WordPress Meetup. He has spoken at notable events such as WordCamp Jinja 2023 and WordCamp Masaka 2023, and was a co-organizer of the recently held WordPress in Education Showcase 2024. In addition, St. Edwards Secondary School Bukuumi selected Moses to lead a unique three-month mentorship program, underscoring his dedication to enhancing educational practices through technology. Committed to the professional development of Ugandan teachers, Moses provides them with both face-to-face and virtual training to effectively integrate WordPress into their teaching methodologies. In addition to his educational efforts, he significantly supports the nonprofit sector by training staff to leverage WordPress and digital skills to achieve their organizational goals. His comprehensive approach, providing robust support through online meetings and physical interactions, ensures broad access to his expertise, empowering individuals and groups to overcome educational and economic challenges, fostering substantial community growth, and promoting inclusivity in technology.”

Let’s get to know Moses Ssebuwufu

That’s quite an introduction, Hanifah! We would love to get to know Moses even better. That’s why we asked him some questions about his work and his passion for WordPress:

Hi, Moses! What do you do?

I am an IT professional with over eight years of experience in ICT training and web development. In addition to my technical expertise, I have a significant background in working with a local NGO in Uganda, where I focused on sustainable improvements in underprivileged and marginalized communities.

Currently, my efforts are centered on promoting ICT in sectors like education, healthcare, and service delivery. I am mainly dedicated to training students, educators, and nonprofit staff on integrating WordPress into their activities, aiming to enhance digital empowerment and improve outcomes across various sectors in Uganda.

Why do you think you got nominated?

My nomination likely stems from my active role in organizing key community events, including the Masaka WordPress Meetups, WordCamp Masaka 2023, and the WordPress in Education Technology Showcase 2024. Additionally, I have spearheaded an ongoing mentorship program at St. Edward’s Secondary School Bukuumi, which focuses on leveraging WordPress in education.

My commitment to teaching WordPress to youth, students, teachers, and NGO staff, as well as advocating for increased participation of women and girls in tech, has been pivotal. These initiatives highlight my dedication to using technology to foster educational and community development.

What contribution or moment are you most proud of?

There are many proud moments, particularly during successful events like meetups, workshops, and WordCamps. A standout achievement was initiating the WordPress Meetup in Masaka, significantly impacting our community by engaging members in using WordPress to enhance their livelihoods and spur innovation. I am incredibly proud of integrating women into the organizing teams and empowering them to take on leadership roles.

The active participation of women and girls ranks among my most cherished accomplishments, along with the success of the WordPress in Education Showcase 2024, where secondary school students in Uganda demonstrated using WordPress to tackle social and educational challenges. Additionally, my ongoing project to translate WordPress into Luganda will enable non-English speakers in Uganda to effectively use this platform. Plus, it will enhance their lives and foster innovation in the digital world once completed.

Additionally, I am proud to collaborate with the Polyglots team on translating WordPress into Luganda. This project enhances digital accessibility for non-English speakers in Uganda. When it’s complete, it promises significant advancements in their engagement and innovation.

What would you love to do in the future?

Looking ahead, I aim to expand tech training programs to cover not only WordPress but other essential digital skills. In November 2023, I founded the Pressmentor Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to digital inclusion. Although we have not started our operations, planning is underway, and activities are expected to commence this year. This organization aims to equip diverse communities—from students and entrepreneurs to working professionals and job seekers—with the essential digital skills needed to thrive in the digital age. As part of this initiative, we plan to establish a Community Digital Literacy Center in Masaka to further our mission.

Additionally, I aspire to mentor future leaders within the WordPress community to help expand these initiatives worldwide.

Where can people find you? Online, WordCamps, other meetups?

You can connect with me through X, LinkedIn, or by using a contact form on my website. I regularly participate in and speak at WordCamps and occasionally attend other tech meetups across Uganda. Additionally, I host sessions at the Masaka WordPress Meetup. These events provide excellent opportunities for in-person connections.

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