Namboka, beacon of hope to victims of domestic violence

Esther Namboka Emoru grew up in the slums of Namuwongo, Kampala. She experienced firsthand what it means to lack while homeless. 

Her family survived on leftovers from kind neighbours. But with sheer luck, she went through school and today she has become a beacon of hope to underprivileged children, youth, and victims of domestic violence. 

In 2018, the First Lady again recognized Esther for her role in creating a safe environment for the slum girl.

Early life

Namboka grew up in need. Her father, a primary seven dropout, always found himself in low pay jobs. He was a cleaner and tea boy all while serving as a catechist. 

Her mum concentrated on growing food to feed her family of five kids.

Whatever her father earned would go to school fees and a few basic needs. 

From an early age, Namboka and her siblings would hawk foodstuffs to supplement their father’s income. 

“We were always housed by kind people who pitied father for being a long-serving catechist,” she recalls.

Also, they got used to receiving leftovers from kind neighbours. On bad days they would go through the garbage bins or sleep on empty stomachs.

“Neighbors clothed us by donating their old clothes,” she remembers. 

However, amidst poverty, Namboka applauds her parents for training her to be resilient and hardworking. 

This saved her from dropping out of school. She remembers a time her father lost his job and they almost dropped out of school. 

“I was chased for fees, but I refused to go home. I defiantly camped in the school compound because I wanted to study,” she narrates. 

Later, her cry yielded to a bursary that saw her through secondary school. 

After, she found a job and sponsored her university education. 

Getting into philanthropy

In 2012, Namboka started Gals Forum International (GFI) a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). She would talk to young women about family and career. 

The network grew to over 2,000 members.

In 2017, she organized the first-ever mother’s summit and a mother’s network group was created with over 180 women. The summit was graced by the Queen of Tooro, Her Majesty Best Kemigisa.

Elsewhere, Namboka also used her social media pages to reach out to other parents who are raising children with neurological conditions. 

Currently, she is partnering with Grand Lisbo Casino headed by Max Lee to support the Hydrocephalus and spina bifida foundation with funds to enable the mothers of children living with hydrocephalus to sustain themselves and their children. 

She also counsels the mothers to accept their children as they are and love them unconditionally. 

Also, through GFI, Namboka continues to sensitize communities on child protection, safeguarding youth, respect for women and girls’ rights and education for all. 

“I have seen a change in communities. Lives have been transformed and services reach the grass root due to my advocacy,” she says.

Also, through her social networks, Namboka has been able to send five students on a full scholarship to universities and provided others with scholastic materials.

Who is Namboka?

She attended St. Kizito Primary School, Bugolobi, Our Lady of Good Counsel Gayaza for her O'level and MaryHill High school for her A'level.

She holds a postgraduate diploma in procurement and supply chain management from Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and a bachelor's degree in Information technology from Makerere University.

Namboka is a gender equality enthusiast, mentor, and philanthropist. 

The mother of four is also a technical advisor at the International Alliance for Peace and Development, a Geneva-based organization that promotes peace and security globally. 

She is also a technical advisor and member of the steering committee, of the USAID’s project, Health Partners which advocates for the formation of health cooperatives for all. 

Additionally, she is also a member of the steering committee of the Women Situation Room Uganda, a rapid response mechanism against electoral violence and sits on several boards including the Quin Abenakyo Foundation and the Kampala Youth Advocacy Network (KYADNET).

In 2018, she was recognized as a Social Inclusion Hero by the World Bank and consequently featured among the Top 10 across Africa in recognition of her outstanding work in mobilizing women vendors off the streets and availing them with alternative business skills. 

In 2019, Namboka was recognized among Vision Group’s Top 40 under 40 persons that are transforming communities in Uganda. 

She also received the Community Service Excellence Award from Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Ltd (UWEAL).