education 28 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nabillah Ssenganda Transforms Daily School Commute Struggles into Twinbrook Elementary
Nabillah Mbogo Ssenganda launched Twinbrook Elementary School in Gayaza after growing tired of long daily drives to Kampala for her children's education. The non-denominational preschool has evolved into a supportive, inclusive space offering day and night care for working parents. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/special-reports/how-ssenganda-turned-frustration-into-school--5439120
Nabillah Mbogo Ssenganda and her husband Jaffa moved to Gayaza around 2007-2008, but faced a major hurdle: no suitable nearby schools for their young children. For six years, they endured exhausting daily commutes to Kampala, sparking Nabillah’s idea for a local solution.
Frustrated by the lack of options, especially inclusive ones beyond religious affiliations, she envisioned Twinbrook Elementary School. Founded in 2014, it welcomes children from all backgrounds—Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—prioritizing a sense of belonging for every student.
Despite her IT background in business and Cisco networking, Nabillah’s passion for child development took over. Influenced by family teachers and volunteer work in a US kindergarten, she pursued early childhood education studies to build a strong foundation for young learners.
Twinbrook goes beyond typical schooling by addressing working parents’ needs. It provides day and night care without penalties for late pickups, staffed in shifts to ensure attentive supervision. This allows mothers to pursue careers without childcare worries.
Managing high staff turnover in preschools, Nabillah focuses on recruitment, fair pay, respect, and clear boundaries. The school expanded to primary level in 2016, while she balances proprietorship with family life through prioritization and perseverance.
Inspired by mentors like Zaujja Ndifuna and Zulaika Kabuye, she emphasizes lifelong learning, community networks, and practical empowerment via a demonstration farm teaching women farming skills. Nabillah advises aspiring entrepreneurs to trust in faith, embrace resilience, and start without waiting for perfection.