My life took a dramatic turn in 1988. After a profound change in my family’s circumstances in Uganda, I found myself stranded in England and earnestly prayed for the grace to accept my new reality as a gift so that I may transform bitterness into sweetness. In that pivotal moment of reckoning, I resolved—by God’s mercy—to establish an “Ebenezer.” This “Ebenezer” would serve as a guiding pillar, helping my generation and future ones forge meaningful and coherent responses to life’s challenges, rooted in leadership, citizenship, and shared humanity.
Despite planting the seed in 1988, the active pursuit of this vision truly began in 2013. By 2025, as I reflect on the journey so far, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the progress we have made. This journey has been enriched beyond measure by a constellation of friends, colleagues, tutors, mentors, and thought leaders whose encouragement and insights have affirmed the work’s enduring value—through The Kamugasa Challenge, the Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa podcast, and the civic and intellectual spirit that animates both.
I’m profoundly honoured by the recognition from Sir Jonathon Porritt, CBE—a distinguished British environmentalist and writer whose leadership in sustainability and enduring advocacy for the Green Party of England and Wales have shaped global conversations on ecological responsibility and ethical governance.
His endorsement affirms the civic and intellectual spirit driving The Kamugasa Challenge, including the Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa podcast. It underscores the urgency and interdisciplinary relevance of the themes I explore—democracy, leadership, justice, global citizenship, and climate responsibility. Such support encourages me to keep shaping spaces for critical discourse and ethical imagination that transcend borders as I move into the next phase of this work.
Endorsement by Sir Jonathon Porritt, CBE:
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Stephen Kamugasa over the last couple of years, pursuing our mutual interest in some of the key policy and governance issues that lie behind today’s climate crisis.
He brings a high level of considered thoroughness and professionalism to bear on everything he does, conscious of what is required to help others (through his podcast and wider communications) to understand more not just about some of the key issues in the climate debate, but about the broader historical and philosophical context.
At a time when there are more and more who seek to ‘politicise and polarise’ the climate debate, for purely expedient and divisive reasons of their own, it’s refreshing to work with someone who puts journalistic integrity and the pursuit of reasoned truth ahead of all other considerations.” September 2, 2025.
Endorsement by Dr Nic Cheeseman, Professor of Democracy and International Development, University of Birmingham, and Director, Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability, and Representation (CEDAR):
We are privileged to share the endorsement of Professor Nic Cheeseman, whose work at the intersection of democracy, development, and public accountability has shaped global conversations on governance and civic engagement. As a fellow producer of public-facing scholarship, Professor Cheeseman offers a uniquely empathetic and rigorous perspective on the challenges and triumphs of sustained intellectual work.
“Stephen is a thoughtful, intelligent and hard-working individual I have gotten to know a little over the last three years. I understand that his personal background has been both challenging and impressive. Despite being forced to become a refugee, he is now a graduate of Buckingham Law School and has become an accomplished podcast host who regularly enlightens the lives of his listeners with insightful and thought-provoking content. Personally, I have always found Stephen to be wise, generous, professional, and dedicated to his task. As somebody who produces a website and podcast not that unlike Stephen’s, I know how challenging it can be to maintain standards and regularly deliver when there are so many other pressures on life. This is one of the reasons why I find Stephen’s ability to convene so many interesting and worthwhile conversations so impressive.” September 8, 2025.
This endorsement stands as a testament to the integrity and resilience that underpin Stephen’s work and to the growing recognition it receives from leaders across disciplines.
Editor’s Note: What is “Ebenezer”?
“Ebenezer” is a Hebrew term that translates to “stone of help”. It comes from a moment in the Bible (1 Samuel 7:12) when the prophet Samuel set up a stone to mark how far God had helped the people. Today, it’s often used as a symbol of gratitude, resilience, and remembrance—an anchor for the journey so far.