STAFF
Mpiima M. Mugambe, MSW, LICSWA
- Co-Executive Director
Mpiima Mugambe is a social worker and mental health professional based in Lynnwood, Washington. A Ugandan immigrant, Mugambe came to the United States as an asylum seeker, a journey that later inspired him to found Immigrant Guide, a Washington non-profit assisting asylum seekers, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking.
Mugambe earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington (UW) School of Social Work. Prior to his time in the U.S., he worked extensively in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, engaging youth in resolving conflicts through participatory theatre for community dialogue.
As a dedicated advocate, Mugambe has championed a range of critical issues, including increasing funding for HIV/AIDS, promoting human rights, and advocating for good governance. In Washington state, his advocacy work focuses heavily on social issues, particularly advocating for increased funding for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing as a solution to the ongoing homelessness crisis.
Professionally, Mugambe currently works at Providence Hospital as an ED social worker. He shares his expertise and experience as an instructor at the UW School of Social Work, continuing to mentor the next generation of social workers and advocates.
Sibongile Chadyiwa
- Program Manager
Sibongile Chadyiwa is a passionate and committed community leader and equity advocate with a proven record of advancing social, economic, and racial justice for immigrant and BIPOC communities across Washington State. With over six years of experience in nonprofit leadership, coalition building, and policy advocacy, she bridges the gap between grassroots communities and institutional systems—designing equitable solutions that center lived experience of marginalized communities, dignity, and shared power.
As an Alum of the Puget Sound Sage’s Community Leadership Institute (CLI), her organizing and leadership work includes coordinating partnerships among more than 40 African community organizations to advance initiatives in education, health, employment, and cultural preservation. Beyond her policy and programmatic impact, Sibongile’s journey reflects a lifelong dedication to cultural exchange and global education. As a Cultural Ambassador and Educator at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, she facilitated immersive learning experiences for international guests and colleagues while completing specialized coursework and leadership training through Disney University. This experience deepened her commitment to inclusive leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and creative community engagement.
Sibongile holds an Associate Degree in English Language and Communication Skills and an Executive Diploma in Business Leadership from the Zimbabwe Institute of Management, alongside community leadership training through Puget Sound Sage’s Community Leadership Institute (CLI), the People’s Academy for Community Engagement (PACE), and the Just Transition Leadership Program with Front & Centered (current, concluding June 2026).
She’s multilingual, fluent in English, Shona, and Ndebele/Zulu, bringing a global perspective to her advocacy, organizational strategy, and cultural work. Her expertise spans program design, grant management, strategic planning, and public policy, grounded in a belief that sustainable change begins with authentic community partnership and cultural respect.
Sibongile’s career embodies her role as both a bridge-builder and changemaker—advancing equity, amplifying diverse voices, and reimagining systems where all communities can thrive.
VERO NAGADYA, MSW
- Programs Manager, Brave Spaces Program
Veronica Nagadya is a psychologist, leader, and advocate for marginalized communities, including persons living with disabilities. Originally from Kampala, Uganda, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Psychology (Honors) and a Certificate in Project Planning and Management from Makerere University, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Uganda Management Institute. She also earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a focus on clinical practice from the University of Washington, Seattle.
Veronica brings extensive experience working with both international and grassroots organizations across the United States and Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, and Ghana. She previously served as Administrative and Program Assistant with the Disability Rights Fund/Disability Advocacy Fund (Uganda Office), where she supported grant review processes, research, monitoring and evaluation, and engagement with global disability rights partners.
In Washington State, Veronica has volunteered and interned with several organizations, including the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, The Arc of King County, and Immigrant Guide, where she continues to support immigrant families.
She is also a co-founder and board member of Motivate Africa Initiative (Uganda), a nonprofit that provides psychosocial support to families of children with mental disabilities and survivors of sexual abuse.
Currently, Veronica serves in the U.S. Army and volunteers with Immigrant Guide’s Brave Spaces Program, where she helps co-manage activities that foster healing, belonging, and empowerment among immigrant and refugee communities
Joan Namugabo
- Youth Program Manager
Joan Namugabo is a nurse, social entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to empowering immigrant communities and advancing equitable access to opportunities. With over five years of experience in healthcare, Joan brings compassion, leadership, and a deep commitment to service in every role she undertakes. Beyond nursing, she is an entrepreneur who provides employment to members of immigrant communities, creating meaningful pathways for economic growth and stability. Joan has volunteered with several organizations across Washington State, including Washington Community Alliance, Immigrant Guide, Pacific Northwest Uganda American Association, Seattle/King County Clinic and the Uganda North American Association. As a youth coordinator, she has been instrumental in developing programs that nurture leadership and social responsibility among young immigrants, including leading the Brave Spaces Program at Immigrant Guide creating safe, empowering spaces for dialogue and growth. A devoted mother and active community advocate, Joan continues to inspire others through her service, mentorship, and dedication to building stronger, more connected communities.
Flora Serugga
- Project Coordinator
Florence K Serugga is a community leader, policy advocate, and philanthropist who is passionate about youth development, uplifting marginalized communities, and women’s empowerment, and hold a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management. Prior to immigrating to the United States, she worked with smallholder farmers and unbanked mostly women, providing financial literacy training and facilitating access to microloans and group lending models to help them achieve economic independence and community growth. Alongside her family, she sponsors young girls from impoverished households in Uganda to remain in school by offering tuition support and essential supplies, helping reduce teen pregnancies and promote education. I am eager to continue serving by supporting immigrant communities by listening, learning, and helping them thrive through education, empowerment, and inclusive community engagement.
Andrew Ssebulime
- Dance and Movement Program Director
Andrew Ssebulime is a dance scholar, choreographer, and educator whose work bridges Ugandan folk dances, academic research, and community wellness. A PhD candidate in Critical Dance Studies at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), he studies how East African folk dances carry memory, identity, and belonging across borders. His movement therapy practice draws on Ubuntu philosophy, rhythm, and storytelling to create spaces of healing and connection for immigrant and refugee communities while preserving the cultural wisdom embedded in dance.
Elias Tumuhimbise
- Finance and Immigration Support Manager
Elias Tumuhimbise is a professional accountant and community development practitioner with over 20 years of experience in program management, financial administration, and organizational development across government, nonprofit, and international sectors.
He has worked with several leading organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODFMF), the Somali Family Safety Task Force, and Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment and Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, where he contributed to advancing transformational development and institutional capacity building.
Elias holds a Master’s Degree in Management Studies (MMS), a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
In addition to his finance and management expertise, Elias is certified in Basic Immigration Law and provides immigration support services to immigrant and refugee communities.
At Immigrant Guide, Elias oversees financial operations and supports the organization’s immigration assistance programs, ensuring accountability, compliance, and high-quality service delivery to the communities we serve.
Board of Directors
Alex Semwanga
Alex Semwanga is an accountant and community leader with extensive experience in finance, administration, and public service. Before moving to the United States, he served in Uganda’s Ministries of Education and Sports, Finance, and Health as an Accountant, and later as the Finance & Administration Manager for the Developing Human Resources for Health program—a joint initiative of the European Commission and the Government of Uganda. He also worked with the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) as a Finance Manager and with the Office of the Auditor General as an External Audit Consultant.
Now based in Los Angeles, California, Alex has been deeply involved in Ugandan diaspora leadership. He is a former Speaker of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA) Council and represented the South Pacific Region, covering California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Arizona. He previously served as Executive Board Secretary for the Ugandan Community Organization in California (UCOC) and as Publicity Secretary for Buganda E’yenkya, a cultural development organization.
Alex is also a co-founder of Operation One Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit improving access to education and healthcare for children in underserved areas of Uganda, and co-founder of BantuFest, a cultural nonprofit that celebrates immigrant communities and promotes unity through culture and entertainment.
Driven by a passion for service, Alex is committed to using his skills and experience to strengthen communities and promote the wellbeing of immigrants and diaspora families. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing chess, and spending time with family and friends.
Monica Muliro
Monica Muliro is a mental health professional, experienced School Counselor, and scholar dedicated to systems change, equity, and the well-being of children, youth, and families.
Monica’s expertise is both clinical and systemic. She currently provides comprehensive counseling, crisis intervention, and systemic advocacy as a School Counselor, ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all students. Her clinical foundation includes experience as a Clinical Therapist, providing evidence-based psychotherapy, both in private and in an acute mental health facility. Further demonstrating her comprehensive approach to family support is her training and work in child welfare system as a former Child Protective Service (CPS) Specialist, where she conducted child abuse investigations and developed strength-based case plans.
Deeply committed to community advocacy, Monica leverages her clinical and programmatic skills to collaborate on initiatives supporting youth and families, especially those from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. This advocacy includes actively volunteering to develop targeted programs and create safe spaces for youth to address sensitive topics and mental health concerns.
Further informing her comprehensive perspective is her early career as a Educator in Kenya. Monica holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Washington and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Applied Psychological Science at Fielding University, continually seeking to strengthen her insight into human behavior and mental health.
