Our Team
The SOUP Team
Michael Kaidhiwa is a passionate advocate for quality education and community-led development in Uganda. Born and raised in Nabikabala Village, where The African SOUP is rooted, Michael’s deep love for his community and country has guided his life’s work. Growing up as one of ten children, he vividly recalls watching his siblings play beneath the village mango trees with a soccer ball crafted from banana fibers and rope. These formative memories instilled in him a steadfast belief in the potential of his people, despite the limited access to formal education at the time.
Determined to create opportunities for future generations, Michael pursued higher education and holds a master’s degree in conflict studies. Today, he leads The African SOUP with a vision to transform educational access for children in Nabikabala and beyond. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a model for innovative, community-driven solutions that equip children to shape their own futures and become agents of change in their communities.
Rebecca Mirembe, Active Learning Project Director
Rebecca Mirembe is a dedicated education leader from Eastern Uganda and a proud mother of four. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Makerere University and has completed her master’s degree in Education Management and Administration at the Islamic University In Uganda.
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With a deep commitment to holistic education, Rebecca focuses not only on student learning outcomes but also on supporting and empowering teachers to deliver quality instruction. She firmly believes that every teacher in Uganda has the potential to provide high-quality education when equipped with the right tools, training, and encouragement.
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As the Active Learning Project Director at The African SOUP, Rebecca leads a team of field officers in championing the adoption of active learning methods in classrooms across the region. She is a respected voice within the education community and continually seeks opportunities to expand her expertise through conferences, workshops, and certifications in project management.
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Rebecca’s mission is to nurture critical, creative, and ethical thinking among teachers and students in Uganda, skills she considers vital for the country’s long-term progress. She invites educators and institutions nationwide to join her in advancing this transformative vision for Ugandan education.
Kenneth Agaba, Active Learning Project Manager
Kenneth Agaba holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts & Social Sciences from Makerere University and is deeply committed to advancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children, youth, and women. With extensive experience working with civil society organizations, Kenneth focuses on achieving meaningful results through cost-effective, community-driven solutions.
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A specialist in play-based learning, Kenneth plays a key role as a facilitator and manager for The African SOUP’s Active Learning Project, ensuring that children are placed at the center of the learning process. He is also a co-founder of X-SUBA Sport4Development Uganda, a youth-led nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of sports and play to expand educational access for underserved children and youth in the Jinja community.
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Kenneth believes strongly in the transformative power of child-centered learning and is dedicated to changing the way children learn in Ugandan classrooms.
Emmanuel Muyinda, Director of Emma’s Baby SOUP (EBS)
emma@theafricansoup.org
Emmanuel Muyinda, fondly known as Emma, is a passionate community health advocate and a long-serving member of The African SOUP team. Born and raised in Nabikabala Village, Emma experienced first-hand how access to quality medical care can transform lives. At just seven years old, he developed a severe leg infection that ultimately required an amputation. During his recovery in Kampala under the care of the Red Cross, Emma not only regained his health but also learned English, setting the foundation for a lifetime dedicated to serving his community.
His resilience and gratitude for life-changing healthcare inspired him to ensure that vulnerable families in his community could access similar life-saving support.
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As one of The African SOUP’s earliest Ugandan team members, Emma has contributed in multiple roles over the years. Today, he leads Emma’s Baby SOUP (EBS), a flagship community health initiative providing prenatal and early childhood healthcare services to mothers and infants in Nabikabala and surrounding areas. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening outreach, expanding services, and building trust within the community.
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Emma remains deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of families in rural Uganda and embodies The SOUP’s belief that compassionate care can change the trajectory of an entire community.
Rahel joined The African SOUP in April 2025, bringing over 10 years of experience in international development, fundraising, and program strategy across Africa, Australia, and Asia. Originally from Ethiopia, Rahel has worked with leading global NGOs including Plan International, World Vision, and Save the Children, where she managed complex multi sectoral programs, built high impact partnerships, and led donor engagement for education, health, and humanitarian initiatives.​
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At The African SOUP, Rahel leads the organization’s development strategy and fundraising efforts to expand the reach and impact of its education and community based programs in Uganda. She is passionate about advancing locally driven solutions, fostering long term donor relationships, and building systems that sustain meaningful change.
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Rahel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and brings a strong track record in donor engagement, proposal development, and strategic growth. She thrives at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, helping mission driven organizations align their vision with funding opportunities.
Elizabeth Ingwara, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer
Elizabeth Joined The African SOUP Uganda in October 2023 as the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer. She brings valuable experience from her previous work with Save the Children International and the Danish Refugee Council .At The SOUP, Elizabeth leads the design and implementation of M&E systems that help track progress and measure the impact of our education and community programs.
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With four years of experience in M&E, she has skills in creating logistical frameworks, using digital tools for data collection and conducting both qualitative and quantitative evaluations. Her work supports decision making and improves how we report our results.
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Elizabeth holds a postgraduate degree in Monitoring and Evaluation and a Bachelor's degree in Statistics from Makerere University, Uganda. She is passionate about using data to drive change, strengthen accountability and help communities thrive.