M-LISADA (Music, Life Skills and Destitution Alleviation) was founded in 1996 in the Katwe slum of Kampala, Uganda, by Segawa Bosco and eight other vulnerable street-connected children.

Having lost both parents before the age of eleven, Bosco was left responsible for caring for his three sisters. Like many children in Katwe, he survived by collecting recyclable materials and performing small jobs on the streets of Kampala to provide basic necessities for his family.

A turning point came when Bosco encountered a brass band performance by students from St. Peter’s School. Inspired by the music and the confidence of the performers, he recognized music as a pathway to hope and possibility. Determined to learn, he and his peers approached the school and persistently requested training. Despite initial rejection, their commitment convinced Teacher Ssendawula to mentor them after school and on weekends. Using borrowed instruments, they began building not only musical skills but also discipline, confidence, and unity.

Later that year, the group met Christopher, a social activist from Germany who was deeply moved by their resilience. Recognizing that music had become both their lifeline and their tool for empowerment, he proposed the name M-LISADA — Music, Life Skills, and Destitution Alleviation.

In 1997, the group delivered its first major public performance at Rainbow International School in Kampala. International support soon followed, enabling the purchase of their first set of instruments officially branded with the M-LISADA name.

As the initiative grew, M-LISADA rented a small single-room space in Katwe that became a refuge for vulnerable children. At times, up to 40 children shared the modest space, which served as the organisation’s base until 2008.

Recognizing the transformative power of creative expression, M-LISADA expanded beyond brass band music to include acrobatics, and later, cultural dance. These additions created inclusive opportunities for girls who were often discouraged from playing instruments to participate, build confidence, and develop life skills in a supportive environment.

In 2007, following a performance for Chellaston Academy in the United Kingdom, supporters mobilized resources to purchase land for M-LISADA’s current home in Nsambya, strengthening the organisation’s stability and long-term vision.

In 2009, a public appeal by one of the children seeking educational support inspired the launch of M-LISADA’s formal Education Sponsorship Program, marking a significant step toward structured academic empowerment.

Expansion continued in 2013 with the introduction of a brass band outreach program in Kalangala District. Construction of the Kalangala Centre began in 2014 and was officially completed in 2016, extending services to island communities.

M-LISADA also initiated psychosocial support interventions at Kampiringisa Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre, recognizing the need to support vulnerable youth in detention and promote rehabilitation and social belonging.

To further amplify cultural expression and global engagement, M-LISADA established Dance of Hope, an international platform showcasing Ugandan traditional dance while giving children an opportunity to share their stories globally. In 2018, Dance of Hope toured the United States, performing in 45 schools across 15 states.

In 2019, as part of its long-term sustainability strategy, M-LISADA established Passion Primary Boarding School. The school was designed to provide inclusive, high-quality education tailored to the diverse and complex needs of vulnerable children, while strengthening the organisation’s sustainability through structured educational services and community partnerships.

Since its founding, M-LISADA has directly supported more than 3,400 vulnerable children, youth, and women, while impacting thousands more through community-based empowerment, education, and protection initiatives.

From a small group of determined children in Katwe to a nationally recognized organisation, M-LISADA remains rooted in resilience, dignity, and the belief that vulnerability can be transformed into opportunity, belonging, and self-confidence.