Ugandan Publicist Brian Muhumuza Leads Sports-Based Mental Health Initiative for Refugees in Kyangwali Settlement

Kyangwali, Uganda

In a groundbreaking effort to address mental health challenges among displaced youth, Ugandan publicist and humanitarian Brian Muhumuza Bishanga is spearheading a psychosocial inclusion program through the Lumala-Abdu Youth Impact and Kyarimpa Cares sesnitization partnership aimed at Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Kikuube District.

Through his organization Kyarimpa Cares, Muhumuza has partnered with Lumala Abdu Youth Impact (LAYI), AVSI Foundation, UNHCR, and other stakeholders to implement the Game Connect program, a sports-based intervention aimed at fostering resilience and social integration.
The initiative, launched earlier this year, targets over 2,000 vulnerable youth aged 10-25, many of whom have faced trauma from conflict, displacement, and loss. By donating sports kits, providing mentorship, and organizing structured activities, the program uses athletics as a tool to promote mental health and psychosocial well-being. Participants engage in team sports, workshops, and group sessions designed to build emotional strength, reduce isolation, and encourage community bonds.

Muhumuza, founder of BM Publications and a passionate advocate for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), draws from his own experiences of hardship to fuel this work. "Losing my father in a motor accident when I was just eight months old left me to be raised in humble circumstances," Muhumuza shared in a recent reflection. "Growing up in an environment rife with gender-based violence and social neglect, I witnessed the struggles of children and women firsthand. These experiences fueled my determination to fight for the marginalized."

The Game Connect program aligns with Muhumuza's broader humanitarian vision, which emphasizes eradicating poverty, promoting equality, and ensuring sustainable development. Kyarimpa Cares, named after his mother Jovia Kyarimpa who instilled values of compassion in him, has a history of mobilizing resources for societal causes. This latest project builds on previous efforts, such as collaborating with the National Forestry Authority, Judith Heard Foundation to plant 2,000 fruit and medicinal tree seedlings in Kenya in 2024 and donating over 1,000 kilograms of chicken to ghetto communities in Uganda during the 2023 festive season.

Partners in the initiative highlight the program's impact. AVSI Foundation and UNHCR have praised the integration of sports with mental health support, noting its potential to empower refugees beyond immediate aid. "Sports can be a powerful vehicle for healing and inclusion," said a UNHCR representative involved in the project. "By partnering with local leaders like Lumala and Brian, we're creating sustainable pathways for youth to thrive."

Muhumuza's career as a publicist has amplified his humanitarian reach. Through BM Publications, he has managed branding for high-profile figures like Judith Heard, Angella Katatumba, and Sheilah Gashumba. His accolades include a 2024 nomination as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans by the Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation and the 2023 Most Outstanding Public Relations Professional at the AFROPA Awards in Nairobi.

Despite personal struggles with depression and anxiety, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Muhumuza remains committed to resilience. He practices transcendental meditation to maintain balance and openly discusses mental health to destigmatize it. "It has been a high price paid for not following my heart in my previous life stages," he once stated. "I'm glad I'm finally living the truth... and continue to go out and help others."

As the Game Connect program expands, Muhumuza urges more individuals and businesses to join similar efforts. "How can we, as global leaders and citizens, ignore the silent cries of those in need?" he asks in his vision statement. With a focus on long-term solutions, this initiative not only supports refugees but also inspires a new model for psychosocial care in humanitarian settings.

For more information on Kyarimpa Cares or to get involved, visit their initiatives page or contact BM Publications. Muhumuza's work continues to bridge storytelling, philanthropy, and social impact, proving that one person's dedication can ignite widespread change.

Kyarimpa Cares
Kampala Uganda
Muyenga Tankhill

Social impact lead team

This release was published on openPR.