Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1966, Stephen Kamugasa’s early life was shaped by his disciplinarian businessman father and his mother, the daughter of a Church of Uganda canon. He attended St Savio Junior School, Kisubi, and Kings College, Budo, before moving to Cliff College, Derbyshire, England, in 1987.
Life in England took an unexpected turn when humbling circumstances led him to become a refugee, eventually gaining naturalisation as a British citizen. Despite immense disadvantages and discouragements, Stephen initiated numerous projects, patiently working toward their slow but eventual fruition. It’s remarkable that, starting as a penniless refugee, he overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to complete his tertiary education.
Stephen is now a graduate of Buckingham Law School, BPP Law School, and BPP Business School. His accomplishments include becoming a barrister of the Inner Temple, a consultant, a fellow of the RSA, an author, a teacher, an essayist, and a podcast host. He is also a married man. His diverse interests span cooking, arts and crafts, music, and literature. He is a contributor to The New Climate on Medium.
In 2013, Stephen and his wife relocated to Taiwan, where they are currently based.
Stephen is deeply grateful for the significant help he received during his time as a refugee. He acknowledges that it was divine intervention that humbled him and prevented bitterness from taking root, even in the face of immense hardship. He was rushed, yet never despaired, and for this, he feels indebted to the many who offered their assistance.
Having received so much, Stephen now considers himself a debtor to everyone, regardless of their standing. Now that his “training in the school of life” is largely complete, it’s fitting for him to reflect on God’s providence and grace that guided him through the “wilderness of Mara”—a period of bitterness. This reflection is to better equip him to serve the Lord with humility and to establish his Ebenezer.
The Ebenezer will be a charitable foundation in England, dedicated to collaborating with others for the benefit of current and future generations. Establishing the Ebenezer will be a slow process, as the most valuable fruits take the longest to ripen. It will require considerable time, energy, money, and, ultimately, God’s guidance.
The Genesis of Ebenezer: A Phased Approach
Starting the Ebenezer project was always going to be an undertaking, but a significant first step has been taken. The completion of the Lord Denning biography manuscript in 2016 serves as a foundational achievement, representing the initial “first fruits” and a strong beginning. While this marks the commencement of what may seem like small beginnings, it signifies the earnest of greater things to come.
This initial phase will also allow for the development of another venture: the Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa podcast. This podcast aligns with the overarching vision for Ebenezer and will run concurrently with the second phase of development.
The second phase focuses on crucial preparatory work for Ebenezer. This includes building and strengthening relationships, clarifying the project roadmap, and conducting thorough due diligence in reference to Ebenezer. This phase is the core purpose behind The Kamugasa Challenge.
The third and final phase, contingent on favourable circumstances, is the potential formation of the Ebenezer itself.
A Word Of Encouragement From A Remarkable Man:
“It has always been clear that you, and some other people I know well and may have helped through their difficulties operate at an intellectual level very far above mine. Shared values have taken me a long way.
Therefore I admire your dedication, ideals and clarity of expression. No wonder you attract attention among many ‘influencers’. Your style has, to my mind, become exemplary.” Mr John Cornwall, Honorary Freeman of Buckingham (UK) – 2022.
Ms Sally Percy, a business journalist and editor, commenting on her experience of being a guest on the Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa podcast.
“I really enjoyed being a guest on Stephen’s podcast. He prepared very thoroughly in advance and asked some thought-provoking questions. During the podcast, we explored a wide range of topics relating to leadership – hopefully useful and informative to the listeners!” March 18, 2025.