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Who is Prof. Dr. Sarah Kwagala Kasozi?
Prof. Dr. Sarah Kwagala Kasozi is a Ugandan child and family development expert, counselor, pastor, social entrepreneur, human rights advocate, and business consultant. With over 15 years of experience championing the rights and well-being of children, young people, and families in Uganda, she is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Heart to Heart Initiative, a non-profit organization focused on creating safe, healthy environments free from abuse, violence, and addiction. Follow her on LinkedIn here.
What does she do at Christ in Us Church in Kagoma?
She serves as Associate Pastor at Christ in Us Church in Kagoma, Uganda, and has held roles including Child Wellbeing Committee Member in Nabweru Division (Government of Uganda), Country Director/Ambassador for the International Human Rights Commission in Uganda, and Executive Committee Member/Researcher for the Alliance for a Uganda Without Orphans. Her academic credentials include a Doctoral Degree in Business Administration (DBA) from Roxbourg Institute of Social Development, Switzerland (2024), a Humanitarian MBA from the same institution (2023), a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Uganda Management Institute (2016), and a Bachelor of Urban Planning from Makerere University (2006), alongside specialized diplomas and certificates in mental health, counseling, and civic engagement.
When was Prof. Dr. Sarah Kwagala born?
Born on February 6, 1982, in Nsambya Hospital, Kampala, and raised in Kisaasi, Nakawa Division, Dr. Kasozi’s personal journey—from a privileged childhood marked by family separation and loss to overcoming trauma—has shaped her commitment to protecting vulnerable populations. She is dedicated to providing safe spaces, mental health support, skilling, and advocacy, often integrating Christian values and spiritual guidance. Her personal statement captures this drive: “My passion is to see children, young people and families thrive in safe, healthy and supportive environments free from all forms of abuse, violence and addiction. Safe spaces that can enable everyone to reach their God-given potential. I am committed to creating positive change and inspiring others to join me in this mission.”
In this in-depth Q&A feature for Kampala Edge Times, Dr. Kasozi speaks directly in her own words (with minor edits for clarity, punctuation, and flow), sharing her life story, the origins and work of Heart to Heart Initiative, personal challenges, and her vision for the future.
Where Were You Born and Raised, and What Shaped Your Early Family Life?
My hometown is Kisaasi. I was born at Nsambya Hospital on 6th February 1982. I was raised in Kisaasi, Nakawa Division, Kampala District. It’s my hometown, where my parents’ home is located. As the firstborn of both my parents, my childhood was complex. My mother, who was Muslim, and my father, a Christian, had conflicts and separated early, largely due to religious differences.
I left my dad at around the age of 8 and lived with my mother until around primary four, when she left for London. I stayed with my grandmother, Hajat Rashida, after that. My mum returned to Uganda when I was finishing primary seven (around 13 years old) and passed away shortly after, in about a month.
I faced emotional and physical abuse at my grandmother’s place. After my mother’s passing, I went to live with my dad, where I struggled adjusting to life with my stepmothers.
At 15, I became a born-again Christian. This contributed greatly to my healing.
What Was Your Childhood Like Before the Major Changes?
I grew up as a very spoilt child—what we call kyejo in Luganda. I was my father’s favorite. My mother was living in the diaspora, in London, at the time. Because of that, I had everything a child could want. I remember I even had a bank account at Greenland Bank. Even as a young girl, I had signing authority. My signature was actually better and more consistent than many adults’ at that time! I was living a life of privilege, far removed from the struggles of the average person.
How Did Your Life Change at Age 13, and What Traumas Did You Face?
Everything changed when I was 13 years old. My mother passed away. Shortly after, my father remarried, and the atmosphere at home shifted completely. I went from being the ‘queen’ of the house to feeling like a commoner—or even less. Eventually, I had to leave my father’s house and move in with my grandmother. This was a period of intense transition where I had to learn to survive without the luxuries I had grown up with.
It was during this time at my grandmother’s that I faced some of my darkest moments. I experienced an attempted sexual assault by an uncle. That trauma was a defining moment for me. It didn’t break me; instead, it planted a seed of justice. It is the reason why, today, my career is so deeply rooted in Human Rights, Child Protection, and fighting Domestic Violence. I wanted to ensure that no other child would have to feel as vulnerable as I did.
What Schools Did You Attend, and How Would You Describe Yourself as a Student?
I attended Shimoni Demonstration School in Kampala from P1 to P6, then Tawfiq Primary School in Machindi for P7. I later joined Karinabiri Secondary School from S1-S5 and finished my S6 at Mariam High School.
In primary school, I was playful and shy around adults, but sharp and intelligent among peers. I developed a passion for reading novels in P3 and even appeared in the New Vision news in P4 for Shimoni International Day, wearing a gomasi. I had a small circle of close friends and was a crowd person.
In secondary school, I was more reserved, preferring to keep to myself and a small circle of friends. However, I was an active leader in clubs and served as a prefect. Literature was my forte, and I excelled in it. While I was a teacher’s favourite, some students perceived me as proud, when in reality, I was simply principled and blunt.
What Were Your Academic Ambitions, and How Did They Evolve?
Academically, I always had my sights set on the law. I wanted to be a lawyer to fight these injustices. However, the cut-off points for Law at Makerere University that year were 17, and I had 15. I missed it by just two points. I ended up being admitted for Urban Planning instead. At first, I was disappointed, but I eventually saw how even that field connects to community development.
Today, I wear many hats: I am a Social Entrepreneur, a Counselor, and a Pastor. My husband is also a Pastor; he studied Theology and Divinity. We were both ordained by Bishop John Kasiita, who has been a great mentor to us.
Over the years, I have continued to equip myself. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), an MBA, and eventually my PhD. I also have a Diploma in Mental Health and a Certificate in Counseling. One of the most impactful experiences was my fellowship in Civic Engagement at the University of Georgia in the United States. All of these pieces—my trauma, my faith, and my education—came together to form the Heart to Heart Initiative, which I lead today.
What Inspired the Founding of the Heart to Heart Initiative?
After my fellowship at the University of Georgia, I returned to Uganda with a burning desire to create a safe space. I realized that many of the issues we face—poverty, school dropouts, and gender-based violence—are symptoms of deeper, unaddressed trauma. We officially started the Heart to Heart Initiative. The name itself reflects our approach: we don’t just provide aid; we connect at a human level. We want to reach the ‘heart’ of the person to bring about lasting transformation.
Why Did You Choose Katwe for Your Work, and What Challenges Do You See There?
Many people asked me, ‘Sarah, why Katwe?’ Katwe is often seen through the lens of crime or ‘kifeesi’, but I saw a community of incredible resilience. I saw teenage mothers who were essentially children raising children. Because of my own history, I felt a deep connection to these girls. They are often sidelined by society, and I wanted Heart to Heart to be the bridge that brings them back into the fold of opportunity.
How Does Heart to Heart Integrate Reproductive Health and Mental Wellness?
One of our core pillars is Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). But we integrate it with mental health. In Uganda, we don’t talk about mental health enough. A teenage girl in Katwe who gets pregnant isn’t just a ‘statistic’ of early pregnancy; she is often a victim of a system that failed to protect her. We provide counseling, and we teach them about their bodies and their rights. We want them to understand that their first mistake—or the first tragedy that befell them—does not define their entire future.
What Role Has Leadership Training Played in Your Work?
My training with EMIT (Education Management and Integrity Training) was pivotal. It taught me that to change a community, you must change the mindset of its leaders. I am a product of the EMIT Women’s School. It sharpened my emotional intelligence. It’s one thing to have a PhD, but it’s another thing to have the heart to lead with integrity. I often say that I am not just an Executive Director; I am a servant-leader. My husband and I carry this philosophy into our ministry as well, under the guidance of Bishop John Kasiita.
Our goal for the next five years is to expand our reach. We want to move beyond just Katwe and reach other urban slums where girls are falling through the cracks. We are looking for partners who believe in the ‘Heart to Heart’ philosophy—that human connection is the first step to social change.
What Does a “Safe Space” Mean at Heart to Heart, and How Do You Support Teenage Mothers?
When you walk into our center in Katwe, the first thing we tell the girls is, ‘You are safe here.’ Many of these teenage mothers have been chased away from their homes or schools. They carry a heavy burden of shame. At Heart to Heart, we provide more than just skills like tailoring or hairdressing; we provide a community. We’ve seen that when a girl feels safe, her ability to learn and her desire to dream again come back to life. We currently support over 50 girls directly in Katwe, providing them with counseling and basic needs for their babies.
Why Is Mental Health for Staff and Volunteers So Important in Your Organization?
One thing I realized early on is that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Our social workers and volunteers are also dealing with their own lives. This is why mental health is at the core of everything we do. We have monthly ‘debriefing’ sessions where our staff can talk about the secondary trauma they experience while working in such high-stress environments. I believe that for us to effectively help the community, we must first ensure that we, the helpers, are mentally and emotionally sound.
How Do You Engage Men and Boys in Your Programs?
Another critical part of our work is talking to the men and boys in the community. We can’t talk about reproductive health and gender-based violence (GBV) only with women. We’ve started small groups where we engage ‘boda boda’ riders and local youth leaders in Katwe. We talk about what it means to be a responsible man and how to support the women in their lives. It’s slow work, but changing a mindset is the most sustainable way to reduce violence and improve community health.
What Collaborations Are Key to Your Success, and What’s the Future for Katwe?
I often tell my team that we are not an island. We work closely with local council leaders (LC1s) and other NGOs. For Kampala Edge Times, I want people to know that Katwe is full of potential. It shouldn’t just be known as a slum, but as a place of innovation and transformation. Our next goal is to establish a more permanent ‘Healing Center’ where we can offer 24/7 support for victims of emergency trauma.
How Do You Promote Economic Sustainability in Your Programs?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that counseling alone isn’t enough if a mother cannot feed her child the next day. We realized that for the girls in Katwe to truly break the cycle of poverty, they need economic independence. We started the Economic Empowerment Pillar, where we teach financial literacy. It’s not just about giving them money; it’s about teaching them how to manage the little they have. We’ve introduced Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) within our support groups so they can borrow and start small businesses like selling vegetables or making crafts.
What Is Your “Whole Person” Approach to Development?
I often tell my students at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) that development must be multi-sectoral. You can’t solve a health problem without looking at the legal rights of the victim or their economic status. At Heart to Heart, we provide a ‘one-stop center’ model. If a girl comes in with a reproductive health issue, she also gets a mental health screening, a legal brief on her rights, and an invitation to join a savings group. This holistic approach is what builds real resilience.
What Is Your Personal Philosophy on Dignity and Charity?
My personal philosophy is that we must offer dignity over charity. Charity can sometimes make people feel small, but dignity empowers them to stand on their own feet. Whether I am preaching in the pulpit with Bishop John Kasiita or sitting on the floor in a shack in Katwe, the message is the same: You are a person of worth. Your past trauma—the things I faced as a 13-year-old—are just chapters in your book; they are not the end of your story.
As we look at the next few segments of this talk, I want to share more about the specific success stories—girls who were once suicidal in Katwe and are now leading their own small enterprises. That is the true measure of our success.
What Has Been One of the Most Memorable Moments in Your Life?
One of the most special moments in my life was my visit to Nigeria. We were hosted by the government and treated with incredible honor. It was truly memorable to be received by the King—it was honorable and deeply special. That experience stands out as one of the best in my life.
What Measurable Impact Has Heart to Heart Had?
When you ask about the measurable impact of Heart to Heart, we have served tens of thousands of children, young people, and their families. We have transformed lives and strengthened families. I have seen children we protected grow into successful adults. For instance, I recently attended a wedding for a girl we supported; she was a child in our care, and now she is getting married. It is such a special feeling when the parents call you up to take pictures with them because you impacted their child’s life.
Can You Share a Personal Success Story That Makes You Proud?
I have many stories, but one that makes me most proud is about one of my girls. She is now a software engineer. I have mentored her and walked through life with her from a time when her family had no hope to where she is today. Every step of her journey represents success and impact.
What Recognitions and Awards Have You Received?
In 2025, I finally received formal recognition for my prayer requests! After serving for so long, I was invited somewhere, thinking I was just attending, only to realize I was being awarded. It was humbling. I’ve received certificates, like one from China High School last yea,r where we trained students in debating and critical thinking. I’ve also been a keynote speaker at major events, including in South Africa and Thailand. While I appreciate the recognition, I still dream of winning a major formal award one day.
What Personal Challenges Do You Face with Your Personality and Relationships?
I face personal challenges too. My personality is a mix—I am both an introvert and an extrovert. The introverted side of me loves to sit alone and think, but when I step out, I can be very social. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable in crowds because it takes me time to adapt.
Beyond that, my journey since university has had painful relationship struggles. I am a go-getter, aggressive, and principled, which can be hard for some people. I have lost relationships I valued, and I’ve been hurt by friends I loved. I’ve had people ‘stab’ me in the back. It has been heartbreaking.
How Have Health Issues Affected You?
In 2021, I almost lost my life. For the last five years, I have been struggling with health challenges. It has been a difficult battle, but I am better now. I have improved a lot.
On the organizational side, our biggest challenge remains funding. We have never had strong, consistent formal funding. We still struggle, dreaming of a ‘break-even’ point where we have enough resources to meet our operational costs comfortably.
How Do You Navigate Cultural Identity?
Culturally, I sometimes feel lost. When I am in Uganda, people say I am very ‘Western.’ When I am outside Africa, people say I am very ‘African.’ And when I am elsewhere in Africa, they say I am very ‘Ugandan.’ My ways are Western, but I am not fully familiar with Western culture when I am there. It’s a unique challenge of identity.
What Challenges Do You Face with Identity and Tribalism in Uganda?
I face a unique challenge with identity. When I am in Uganda, people say I am very ‘Western.’ When I am outside Africa, they say I am very ‘African.’ And in other parts of Africa, they say I am very ‘Ugandan.’ I stick to my accent because I don’t want to struggle! But deeply, I am challenged by the rising tribalism in Uganda. I find it difficult to navigate because I just want to serve people without bias. I want to serve as many people as possible, regardless of where they come from.
What Are the Biggest Organizational and Personal Hurdles You’ve Overcome?
Organizationally, our biggest hurdle is funding. Heart to Heart Initiative has never had consistent, strong formal funding. We are still struggling to reach a ‘break-even’ point where our operational costs are comfortably met.
Personally, 2021 was a dark year; I almost lost my life. For the last five years, I have battled serious health issues. It has been tough, but I am recovering. I’ve also faced broken relationships because of my personality—I am a go-getter, I can be aggressive, and I am very blunt. I say what is on my heart. Some people can’t handle that, and I’ve been stabbed in the back by those I trusted. But I am resilient. My enemy does not rejoice over me; when I fall, I rise.
How Do You Sustain Yourself Through These Challenges?
How do I sustain myself?
God: He is my friend. I dialogue with Him constantly.
My Husband: He is my number two. He is loving, caring, and goes out of his way to ensure my mental and spiritual well-being.
Self-Care: I listen to my body. I rarely do very early mornings because my body refuses! I have learned to say ‘no’ and set boundaries.
My Circle: I have a support system of mentors I honor and run to when things are hard, and friends I can trust.
My Daughter: We play, dance, and laugh. Being a mother to girls keeps me grounded and joyful.
What Is Your Vision for the Future of Heart to Heart Initiative?
What is the future for Heart to Heart? My husband and I envision a Therapeutic Center in Kagoma. We want to build a place of ‘Rest and Rescue’—a sanctuary where Ugandans can come for mental health support, spiritual renewal, and healing.
We also envision a massive Skills Center, specifically targeting young people and men. We believe that if we empower young men with employability skills, they will become better fathers and supportive husbands, leading to fewer absentee fathers and stronger families. We want to be a voice not just for Uganda, but for the entire African continent.
Providing a voice for the voiceless and fighting all forms of abuse, violence, and addiction. That is my dream for the growth of Heart to Heart Initiative. But as a person, I still want to be a voice globally for the same cause.
Again, for the vision that I’ve shared, which defines my legacy. At that point, when I’m there, I always tell the people around me that when I’m in my coffin, I want to be mourned like on every continent. I want people to remember me for children, for children, for young people, for families. And even when it comes to church, it’s the same theme: children, young people, and families.
Like I want to see happy families saying, ‘We are a happy family because of that voice’. And children saying—actually adults saying, ‘When I was a child, this happened,’ or children that are receiving care because I went, I gave it. I would want to see Uganda and Africa with a better family picture, where there is no abuse, or less abuse, violence, and addiction. Safe and loving family environments. That is what I want. Safe and loving family environments. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I went through when I was growing up.
What Message Would You Want Featured in Your Biography to Inspire Readers?
My message in the world is love. Love. That is why my firstborn girl is called Love, and my lastborn girl is called Love, and my middle name is Love.
Love. Love is enduring. First Corinthians thirteen. Love is patient, love is kind. My message is of love. Let us love one another. If we love, we can sacrifice better. We can love more. When we love, love will make us love more. Yes, it’s more of giving than receiving. Sacrificial. I want us to love. That is my message.
Thank you very much, that is what I wanted to share. It’s because my birthday is coming up that’s why I’ve given it a lot of attention.
Happy Birthday in advance to Prof. Dr. Sarah Kwagala Kasozi from us at Kampala Edge Times.
