How Dr. Noeline Kirabo is inspired by her past to empower Ugandan youth and women to be all they can be

She is a distinguished personal and business development consultant with over two decades of experience, dedicated to social entrepreneurship, counselling, personal development, financial literacy, business coaching and curriculum development. 

As the founder and Executive Director of Kyusa and Kyusa Institute, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives to empower marginalised youth entrepreneurs and women through innovative training and mentorship programmes. 

An accomplished author, TEDWomen speaker, and recognised leader in community transformation, Dr Kirabo is passionately committed to nurturing, equipping, and inspiring individuals to unlock their full potential and achieve sustainable success.

Her burning desire to equip others was birthed in her humble background ⏤growing up in the urban slums of Old Kampala as a marginalized girl with big dreams. She always dreamt of doing more and along the way she was mentored by people who believed in her potential and now she is paying it forward for other youth and women.

Dr Noeline Kirabo wears many hats and does so, gracefully, but to imagine that this illustrious person was once a school dropout is unbelievable. She currently has two master’s degrees and will be graduating with her second doctorate in October this year. 

This dream seemed far-fetched 24 years ago when she was forced to drop out of school after high school to nurse her mother. Battling cancer then, her mother was unable to cover her university tuition. 

Fortunately, her mother recovered and as her peers progressed to their second year of university, and she found the courage to pick up her pieces, going to the National Library daily to read anything she could find. Three years later she was introduced to the computer and the internet which opened her up to a whole new world of possibilities. She undertook several free online courses, building her first CV which enabled her to land her first entry job.

Six years later, Dr Kirabo got her first full-time paying job and re-joined mainstream education to further her studies. The challenges she overcame played a significant role in shaping her vision for Kyusa which she started 13 years later. 

Working in formal employment for six years, she later quit to pursue what she believes to be her life purpose. 

She was fortunate to get a scholarship to India where she undertook a course in social entrepreneurship and was equipped to launch Kyusa when she returned in 2013. Kyusa became her portal to re-live her experiences with other out-of-school youth by showing them the loops on how to unlock their potential to leverage market opportunities. The model has evolved to a fully standardised model that has impacted over 5,000 youth to actualise their entrepreneurial potential.

Humble start

One would think that with such advantageous training, Dr Kirabo would have a smooth start as she embarked on this new career journey but that was far from the truth. 

“On returning, I was faced with the harsh reality of having no financial resources to start my vision. I had no godfathers or sponsors. I had no vital networks to leverage but a burning desire to catalyse transformation among side-lined youth. Thankfully, a friend graciously offered me a desk in his office, providing the initial space I needed to begin.,” she says.

Not one to wallow in pity, Dr Kirabo rallied two friends who were also out of work to volunteer with her. Motivated by their shared belief in the potential of youth and the transformative power of entrepreneurship they laid Kyusa’s foundation. 

“Starting Kyusa was driven by a strong desire to address the pervasive issue of youth unemployment and underemployment in our communities. I was profoundly moved by the stories of many young people who, despite their potential and qualifications, struggled to find meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities,” she says. 

Straddled with securing funding to gaining the trust of the communities they aimed to serve, each challenge only strengthened their resolve. Resultantly, they developed core programmes and a curriculum, focusing on practical skills and personal development. Over the years, Kyusa has grown from a small initiative to a recognised organisation, impacting thousands of lives.

The platform was to equip the youth with the necessary skills, knowledge, and support to transform their lives through entrepreneurship and enterprise development. 

“I remember the pilot class like it happened yesterday. A bunch of 12 youths who had lost hope and were on the verge of giving up on life. Some were recovering drug addicts, teenage mothers, survivors of human trafficking and victims of different types of abuse. Our role was not just to equip them but to journey with them towards their emotional healing and recovery. There were many tear sessions and they all came out strong. Their graduation speeches highlighting their transformations were amidst tears. For many, this was the very first certificate ever acquired by anyone in their families because oftentimes times school dropout and poverty follow generational cycles. To think that we had set new patterns and cycles for many of these youths and their siblings is something that left a lasting mark on my life. At that point I knew that I had found my purpose and committed to run with for life,” she says.

Dr Kirabo says the support from various partners, and stakeholders, and the unwavering dedication of the Kyusa team have been instrumental in our growth. 

“We have expanded our reach, launched new initiatives like the Virtual Academy, Kyusa Institute, Kyusa MBA programme for social entrepreneurs, and the Fast Forward Project, and continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of our youth. The journey has been a learning experience, filled with moments of doubt and triumph, but the overarching narrative is one of hope and transformation,” she says.

“Every success story, every young person who finds their path and flourishes, fuels my passion and commitment to Kyusa. This journey is far from over, and I am excited about the future and the countless more lives we will touch and transform.”

Drive

Why would one be so motivated to pour their energy into transforming lives? Maybe Nelson Mandela’s quote may shed light. “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”

Dr Kirabo’s drive is the joy of witnessing someone overcome challenges. She is motivated by the belief that everyone can lead a fulfilling and impactful life, and it is my mission to guide them on that journey.

“My faith and the conviction that I am fulfilling a higher purpose energises and inspires me to continually strive for excellence and impact. The desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others is the core of my motivation and the source of my unwavering dedication.”

Triumphs

The journey with Kyusa has brought numerous triumphs that underscore the impact and significance of their mission. Some of the most notable achievements include:

• Transforming lives: Witnessing over 7,000 young people transform their ideas into viable businesses, achieve financial independence, and significantly improve their quality of life is wonderful. These young entrepreneurs have scaled their businesses and now contribute to their communities by creating employment opportunities.
• Expanding reach: Kyusa has grown from a small initiative to a recognised organisation and successfully launched the virtual academy and various projects under it. This enables youth to fast-track their careers through accredited online courses.
• Partnerships and collaborations: Kyusa has formed valuable partnerships with local and international organisations, educational institutions, and businesses that have strengthened their programmes and expanded reach.
• Recognition and awards: For its innovative approaches, community reach and impactful programmes, Kyusa has received various awards and recognition. These have further validated Kyusa’s efforts and boosted its credibility.

Dr Kirabo has also been recognised in several spaces with some remarkable awards such as the Dewey Winburne Community Service Award received at SXSW in Austine Texas, Rotary Community Service Award, Virtuous Woman Award, Startup Ecosystem Builder of the year 2023 and 50 under 50 Female Founders by UN Women in 2024.

• Community Impact: Kyusa has created a ripple effect of empowerment, where the success of one individual inspires and uplifts others within their community. Consequently, the organisation has facilitated market opportunities such as internships, fellowships, incubators, and job placements for programme alumni, helping them integrate into the formal economy.

These triumphs are a testament to the dedication, resilience, and collaborative spirit of everyone involved with Kyusa. 

“They fuel our passion and commitment to continue empowering marginalized youth and driving meaningful, lasting change in our communities,” Dr Kirabo says.

Challenges and shakeups

Amidst the flowery triumphs, Dr Kirabo says they have had their share of shakeups, which tested their resolve and ingenuity. Some of the key challenges we have faced include:

• Funding and resources: Securing consistent and sustainable funding has been a significant challenge. In the early stages, they operated with minimal financial resources, relying heavily on volunteers and pro bono support. Limited resources initially restricted the scale and reach of the programmes, necessitating creative solutions to maximise impact with available means.
• Gaining trust: Building trust within the communities Kyusa aimed to serve was a gradual process. Many young people and their families were initially sceptical about the viability and benefits of the programmes. It took time and consistent effort to demonstrate the tangible impact of the initiatives and establish Kyusa as a credible and reliable organization.
• Capacity building: Recruiting and retaining skilled staff and volunteers who shared Kyusa’s vision and commitment was perplexing, especially in the early days when financial compensation was limited.

As such, they continually trained people to ensure that the available team effectively delivered high-quality programmes and support to the beneficiaries.

• Operational challenges: Consistently delivering high-quality services and maintaining program standards across various locations required robust systems and processes. However, managing the logistics of running programmes across different communities, often with limited infrastructure, posed operational difficulties. 
• Measuring impact: There was a need to quantify and measure the long-term impact of Kyusa’s programmes on participants’ lives. Additionally, demonstrating the impact to stakeholders and funders through measurable outcomes required rigorous data collection and analysis. That called for developing effective monitoring and evaluation tools to capture this data but it was challenging. 
• Overcoming personal and professional hurdles: Balancing the demands of leading Kyusa with personal commitments and self-care was a continuous struggle, particularly during periods of rapid growth or crisis was tough. Dr Kirabo had to navigate the pressures and uncertainties of entrepreneurship and social enterprise development required resilience and unwavering determination.

Despite these challenges, each obstacle has strengthened her resolve and commitment to the mission. Dr Kirabo has learned to adapt, innovate, and persevere, using these experiences to build a stronger, more impactful organisation. “The support from our community, partners, and stakeholders has been invaluable in overcoming these hurdles and achieving the successes we celebrate today,” she says.

Support system

Throughout the journey of building and growing Kyusa, Dr Kirabo has been fortunate to have the support and guidance of numerous individuals and organisations. “Their belief in my vision and their unwavering support have been instrumental in overcoming challenges and achieving success,” she says.

Some of her key supporters include:

• Family and friends: These have been her rock, providing emotional support, encouragement, and practical help during the most challenging times. Their belief in the mission has fuelled her determination to keep pushing forward.
• Mentors and advisors: Dr Kirabo has been blessed with the mentorship of experienced professionals who have generously shared their wisdom and expertise. Specific mentors and advisors in various fellowship programs, such as Kanthari, the Acumen Fellowship, YALI, CSP, SIMP and MIT D Lab have provided critical insights and support.
• Volunteers and team members: The dedicated volunteers and team members who joined Kyusa in the early days played a crucial role in laying the foundation for our programs. Their passion, commitment, and hard work have been essential in bringing Kyusa’s vision to life.
• Professional networks: Networks such as Business Network International (BNI) and various professional associations have provided opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration, helping Dr Kirabo to grow as a leader and expand Kyusa’s influence.

Each of these individuals and groups has played a vital role in the Kyusa journey. Their support, whether through mentorship, partnership, or financial backing, has been the backbone of Kyusa’s success. “I am deeply grateful for their belief in our mission and their unwavering commitment to helping us create a lasting impact.”

Looking to the future

Dr Kirabo’s kitchen’s servings are still flowing in. Her vision encompasses several ambitious goals such as:

• Scale impact: Dr Kirabo aspires to significantly scale Kyusa’s programmes to reach more marginalised youth across Africa. “By expanding our reach, we can empower thousands more young people to achieve their potential and contribute to their communities.”
• Spearheading the first non-academic accredited university in Uganda: This institution will focus on soft skills, personal development, and professional training, providing an alternative path to higher education that is accessible and relevant to the needs of today’s job market.
• Launch digital hubs across Uganda: Partnering with organisations and stakeholders, Dr Kirabo looks to launch digital learning hubs that will provide out-of-school youth with access to technology, skills training, and online courses, enabling them to acquire valuable knowledge and access global opportunities.
• Advocate for accreditation of professional non-academic higher education: By influencing policy and working with educational authorities, Dr Kirabo says they can create a more inclusive and practical higher education system.
• Support social entrepreneurs to scale: She hopes to do this by providing mentorship, resources, and access to networks. That will help them expand their impact and create sustainable solutions to pressing social issues.
• Build an investment portfolio: Dr Kirabo is a trained Angel Investor and is part of the Angel Investors Network though not yet started investing financially. The portfolio is meant to support innovative and impactful social enterprises. This portfolio will provide much-needed capital to startups and ventures that are driving positive change in their communities.
• Write and publish: She has a dream of having written and published at least 60 books by the time she is 60 years. These publications will cover a wide range of topics related to personal development, entrepreneurship, and social change. “I also aspire to write a comprehensive library of works throughout my lifetime.” 
• Create a virtual library: This is to foster a reading culture among Ugandan and African youth, particularly those in low-income communities. This virtual library will provide access to a vast array of books and educational materials, encouraging lifelong learning and intellectual growth.

By focusing on these ambitious goals, Dr Kirabo hopes to create a lasting legacy of empowerment, education, and social innovation and is ready to push the boundaries of what is possible and continuously innovate to achieve this vision. 

“My long-term vision is to build a world where every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to realise their potential and lead a fulfilling, impactful life. I am committed to continuously pushing the boundaries,” she reiterates.