By Sr. Lilly Driciru, MSMMC
The journey of hope to restore justice in the face of social injustice through advocacy began in 2018. It was then that the urgent need to rescue and restore the dignity of survivors of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) became undeniable and ignited. The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), based in Washington, championed a paradigm shift—moving from acts of charity to advocacy for structural change. Soon after, AFJN Uganda emerged as a key flag bearer of this mission.
The inspiring and memorable lessons of Fr. Aniedi Akure and Sr. Eucharia Madueke continue to bear fruit today. Their workshops—marked by thought-provoking inputs, courageous testimonies, and bold decisions—set many on a journey of no return. Testimonies from survivors of trafficking left participants speechless, awakening a shared commitment to action.
Among the many survivors of TIP, Miss Ndagire Joanita Joshirah stands out as a leader. She courageously took up the mantle of leadership for the Association of Survivors of TIP in Uganda, working alongside the advocacy team to raise awareness and prevent trafficking, especially among children and youth in Karamoja. From this commitment, the Mwagale Foundation was born—an organization now in partnership with AFJN Uganda, the “mother” that nurtured its leader.
The breaking of modern slavery chains and Joanita’s rise to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the fruit of hope. Her journey is a source of joy to all “pilgrims of hope,” and a powerful reason to celebrate 2025 as the Jubilee Year. For her mentors, Joanita’s resilience and leadership embody the triumph of overcoming all life odds especially in the face of helplessness and sometimes hopelessness.
Despite persisted health struggles, Joanita has emerged stronger and healthier after years of endless pain. Today, she is the Founder and CEO of Mwagale Foundation, an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking through survivor support, skills development, and awareness creation. She also represents Uganda on the leadership team of the Global Migrant Network (GMWN), an international movement supporting grassroots, survivor-led, and migrant worker-led initiatives.
Together, AFJN Uganda and Mwagale Foundation continue to call humanity to justice for the oppressed, exploited, and marginalized members of the Society. Locally, they focus on preventing trafficking in persons and unsafe migration, while organizing youth into agricultural groups to strengthen food security and promote agribusiness—beginning in Karamoja and extending beyond.
