From Market Stall to Digital Star: Grace’s Journey with Project Ubuntu

At first glance, 24-year-old Grace Nakato looked like any other young woman hustling at Nakasero Market in Kampala — arranging tomatoes, bargaining with customers, and rushing home to care for her younger siblings. Life was tough, predictable, and financially tight.

But with her smartphone, creativity, and opportunity, Grace is a rising Ugandan content creator earning over UGX 2 million per month from brand partnerships, social media campaigns, and digital collaborations.

This is her story.

A Chance Encounter that Changed Everything

Grace first heard about Project Ubuntu from a friend who spotted a poster at their community center in a rural part of Kampala.

“I almost didn’t apply,” she admits with a laugh. “I thought content creation was for rich kids or people who went to fancy schools. I had never even edited a video before.”

But something inside her pushed her to try. She filled out the application — and was selected.

That single decision changed her life.

Learning the Power of Digital Storytelling

Over 8 weeks at the Kampala Hub, Grace underwent hands-on training that opened her eyes to the digital world.

Through Project Ubuntu, she mastered:

• Smartphone videography and editing
• Social media storytelling
• Building a personal brand
• Working with companies professionally
• Monetizing content and negotiating deals

“The trainers didn’t just teach us — they believed in us,” Grace says. “They saw potential in me before I saw it in myself.”

For the first time, Grace realized that her everyday life — market hustle, family responsibilities, and Kampala street culture — could be powerful content.

Her First Paid Campaign

Grace’s breakthrough came when she landed her first paid campaign with a local telecommunications company.

She created three short videos — funny, relatable, and authentically Ugandan.

Her payment? UGX 300,000.

“When I saw that money land in my mobile money, I cried,” she recalls. “It was more than I used to make in an entire month at the market.”

That moment proved to her that creativity could truly pay.

Life After Ubuntu: Bigger Dreams

Grace didn’t stop at personal success.

Today, she mentors 15 young women in her community, teaching them basic content creation skills and encouraging them to join the digital economy.

Learn how you can be part of the program by going to www.wowziug.com Apply, Learn, Create, Influence and EARN!