{"id":42,"date":"2026-05-13T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/appswikidroid.win\/index.php\/2026\/05\/13\/heropress-indebted-the-ugandan-wordpress-dream-that-flew-to-asia-ebbanja-ekirooto-kya-uganda-ekyagenda-e-buyindi\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T05:00:00","slug":"heropress-indebted-the-ugandan-wordpress-dream-that-flew-to-asia-ebbanja-ekirooto-kya-uganda-ekyagenda-e-buyindi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/appswikidroid.win\/index.php\/2026\/05\/13\/heropress-indebted-the-ugandan-wordpress-dream-that-flew-to-asia-ebbanja-ekirooto-kya-uganda-ekyagenda-e-buyindi\/","title":{"rendered":"HeroPress: Indebted: The Ugandan WordPress Dream that Flew to Asia \u2013 Ebbanja: Ekirooto kya Uganda ekyagenda e Buyindi"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Pull<\/p>\n

Emboozi eno weeri ne mu Luganda.<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is Moses reading his own essay aloud.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are moments in life when you sit back, look around, and just shake your head in disbelief. The kind where you ask yourself, \u201cEh! Is this really me?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This is one of those moments.<\/p>\n

The word indebted<\/em> is typically associated with money\u2014a debt to be repaid. But there is a different kind of indebtedness\u2014one that defines my life now: feeling grateful or obligated because of a benefit, help, or kindness received<\/em><\/strong>. It\u2019s the feeling I have today for the global WordPress community. This isn\u2019t a financial report; it\u2019s a profound acknowledgment that my life, my sense of community, and my geographical freedom were purchased not with cash, but with kindness.<\/p>\n

I write this essay to the dreamers in my home country of Uganda. To the beginner still figuring out what \u201cplugin\u201d means. To the developer grinding through tutorials at midnight. To anyone who believes that global stages are \u201cfor other people\u201d. They are not. This is our story, and it is built on the backbone of WordPress.From Doubting Thomas to WordPress Events Supporter<\/p>\n

For a long time, my relationship with WordPress was purely transactional. It was a tool, a way to build a website, a path toward earning a living. The community aspect was a side benefit, a place for troubleshooting, like the endless \u201ctry clearing cache\u201d conversations. Because of this many people have gone around with the WordPress is dead jokes which is not the actual reality<\/p>\n

But WordPress is not just about websites; it is about people. Real people who show up, who share, who guide, and who open doors you didn\u2019t even know existed.<\/p>\n

Like I have explained before, I was not always the full of faith kind of guy. I always had doubts and so many reservations. I started using WordPress because a friend of mine invited me to. Just to test and see how things work. Nothing serious. When I started using WordPress, life started changing and now I have hit another milestone. WordPress keeps pulling me and locking me in. <\/p>\n

The Software, the Community, the family (in Uganda we call it a family because of how fast we come through for each other). After a few series of attending meetups and WordCamps a friend asked me to speak at a WordCamp and my life took another turn. It was so beautiful to contribute to communities. I started sharing in meetup and WordCamps, both locally and internationally but I had never thought about organizing a flagship event. <\/p>\n

WordPress transformed my way of seeing people and my approach to community also took a turn for the better. I met people that appreciated all efforts regardless of how small.<\/p>\n

This journey from self-doubt to mentoring WordCamps was a slow-burn realization of the power of community. The small efforts, the meetups, the training sessions, and all the nitty-gritties actually mattered. The WordPress community brought me so far, allowing me to celebrate the path I was on.<\/p>\n

The Dream that Flew to Mumbai<\/h2>\n

The dream of organizing a flagship event had always been tucked away in my heart. When I saw the call for Organizers for a Flagship event, I noticed a chance to fit all this community work into a larger purpose.<\/p>\n

I knew it would take a lot of effort and the cross would be heavy, but I didn\u2019t care; I wanted to carry it. I also didn\u2019t think they would choose me because I had been turned down before by another flagship. I was ready for whatever the response but I was also ready to put in the hours and work required.<\/p>\n

The challenge was immediate and geographical. The event was WordCamp Asia 2026, happening in Mumbai, India. The idea of my passport getting that Indian immigration stamp felt like a fantasy. My confidence was limited to what I thought was possible: \u201cApply and you will be a remote organiser\u201d.<\/p>\n

During the organizer vetting and orientation process, the interviewer kept returning to one question: Could I make it to Mumbai?<\/em><\/p>\n

In my heart of hearts, I knew the answer. I kept firmly responding that I could not afford that much, but I would offer all the required remote support. I was already offering my time and effort; I just couldn\u2019t solve the geographic puzzle and yet I really wanted to be a part of the team.<\/p>\n

Then, during one of the calls, I received a link to apply for the Open Horizons Scholarship<\/a> from Automattic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The moment I read the mission statement, everything clicked. It aims to increase equitable access to WordPress events by providing financial support to contributors from underrepresented, underserved, or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This was written for me. This was written for us.<\/p>\n

With all faith and hope, I filled in the application and waited. I was praying that they would choose me, praying that this new dream could become a reality.The Game Changer: Geographical Freedom<\/p>\n

A few days later, I received the email confirming my selection. Even now, it still feels like one of those emails you reread five times to confirm it\u2019s not a scam. You know those ones that start with \u201cCongratulations\u201d and you check the sender twice before your heart accepts the joy? Yes, that one.<\/p>\n

I was in shock. I was excited. I was amazed.<\/p>\n

This scholarship was not just about me boarding a plane to Mumbai; it was a physical manifestation of geographical freedom. It was a reminder that somewhere, someone saw value in what I do.<\/p>\n

My life changed, the way I walk changed, the way I speak changed, the way I see things changed and everything changed. The scholarship made me international. I ceased to be local events organizer to Flagship event Organizer<\/p>\n

Travelling to attend a flagship event is a very interesting thought but for me, it started with a passport that had more hope than stamps.<\/p>\n

Then came the india visa process.<\/p>\n

Let me be honest, it was not smooth. Not even close. I faced rejection. Once. Twice. Three times. Each one comes with the same polite but painful message that basically says, \u201cNot this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

And each time, you start to question yourself again.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s not for me, Maybe I should just stay back here.\u201d<\/p>\n

But something interesting happened in the middle of those rejections. As I kept trying, learning, asking questions, and understanding the process better\u2026 I started helping others.<\/p>\n

Friends would reach out:
\u201cBro, how did you apply?\u201d
\u201cWhat documents did you use?\u201d
\u201cWhat do they want exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

And me, the same person being rejected started guiding others. Reviewing applications. Sharing lessons. Giving the details the visa sites and agents were not giving.<\/p>\n

And guess what? All of them got their visas. On time. Successfully. Including my wife.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, I was still struggling to get mine.<\/p>\n

Life can be funny like that<\/p>\n

But on the fourth attempt\u2026 it came through.<\/p>\n

That approval message hit differently. It was not just excitement. It was relief. It was validation. It was a quiet whisper saying, \u201cYou were not crazy to keep trying.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaving Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Preparing to travel felt like preparing for an exam you didn\u2019t fully revise for.<\/p>\n

Packing was a whole experience. You pack, unpack, remove things, add them again. You even start questioning if you really need five shirts for a few days. (The answer is yes\u2026 just in case \"\ud83d\ude04\")<\/p>\n

Then came the airport.<\/p>\n

That one is not for the faint-hearted. The walking. The checking. The \u201cplease step aside.\u201d The looking confident even when inside you\u2019re just praying you don\u2019t miss a step.<\/p>\n

But the real moment?<\/p>\n

Sitting in that plane.<\/p>\n

Seatbelt on. Heart beating. Thoughts running.<\/p>\n

Then the engine roars\u2026 and the plane starts moving.<\/p>\n

Slowly\u2026 then faster\u2026 then suddenly you are off the ground.<\/p>\n

I looked out the window and saw Uganda getting smaller.<\/p>\n

And in that moment, it hit me:<\/p>\n

The barrier is gone.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The thing that felt impossible was now happening in real time. No more imagination. No more \u201cone day.\u201d This was the day.<\/p>\n

The Feeling of Being Seen<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Being \u201cseen\u201d is not loud. It\u2019s not always people clapping for you.<\/p>\n

Sometimes it\u2019s quiet.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s in the opportunity you\u2019ve been given.
It\u2019s in the doors that open without you forcing them.
It\u2019s in realizing that your effort, your consistency, your presence matters.<\/p>\n

For me, being seen looked like this journey.<\/p>\n

From struggling with visas\u2026 to finally holding one.
From helping others succeed\u2026 to eventually getting my own breakthrough.
From wondering if I belong\u2026 to being welcomed on a global stage.<\/p>\n

It was not instant. It was layered. Built over time.<\/p>\n

And now, as I step into this experience, I carry all of it with me \u2014 the rejections, the lessons, the small wins, the people I helped along the way.<\/p>\n

Because in the end, this is not just about travel.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about growth.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about persistence.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about a reminder that sometimes\u2026 delay is not denial.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s preparation.<\/p>\n

And when your moment comes, you will know that this was always bigger than you.<\/p>\n

We arrived in Mumbai very early in the morning (4 am India Standard Time). What followed was a hospitality unexpected, a love unfathomable. From the Uber driver who took us to the hotel to the \u201cKaali-Peeli\u201d (taxi) and even the tuk-tuk<\/a> driver. Everyone was kind. Even though the summer sun was out for its show-off party, the A\/C was properly equipped for the tantrums. Mumbai was beautiful.<\/p>\n

The reception from the WordPress community itself was beyond belief. People checked on me to ensure I arrived safely, to see if I needed anything, if all my affairs were in order. I saw so many people whom I had only chatted with digitally on Slack and now it was no longer just a text and image, but a face and a voice. It was a beautiful experience. There were people who lent me money because my VISA card was not working, and they had no fear that I may run off. That is the definition of a trustworthy, supportive community. That is the leverage WordPress gave me: friends that feel like family across the globe.<\/p>\n

Indebted to the Pioneers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This moment of freedom and connection didn\u2019t happen in a vacuum. Opportunities like the Open Horizons Scholarship are built on the backs of people who contributed before I even knew what WordPress was.<\/p>\n

They are the people who wrote documentation.<\/p>\n

They are the people who fixed bugs at 2 AM.<\/p>\n

They are the people who organized WordCamps when the attendance was just their friends and cousins.<\/p>\n

We, the beneficiaries, are enjoying the fruits of a tree we did not plant but we are now called to water it. That realization humbles me deeply.<\/p>\n

Indebted\u2026 but Also Responsible<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Being indebted is not just about saying \u201cthank you\u201d (though, sincerely, thank you). It comes with responsibility. The scholarship changed me. I became more careful, knowing that people see me and my actions; every little thing that I ignored was being seen. This was the true game changer.<\/p>\n

My responsibility means four things:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Showing up fully<\/strong>: Being fully present in my role as an organizer and contributor.<\/li>\n
  2. Learning intentionally<\/strong>: Absorbing the expertise and experience of the global community.<\/li>\n
  3. Connecting genuinely<\/strong>: Building real relationships that bridge continents.<\/li>\n
  4. Bringing the knowledge back home<\/strong>: Ensuring this experience benefits the community in Uganda.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This is not just my win. It is for the community in Uganda. This global experience is a call to mentor and continue pushing WordPress to the ends of the world. It\u2019s about how much you love. Let us echo WordPress everywhere<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    We have seen how other people do it and it is now time for us to do it even in our own country and continent. We have set balls rolling and pots cooking. The Baganda say \u201cTravel to see, return to <\/em><\/strong>tell the Tale <\/s><\/em><\/strong>Work.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d We are now the people demanded of the fruits of the scholarship that was accorded. <\/p>\n

    To Anyone Watching From the Sidelines<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Let me tell you something clearly: your time is coming.<\/p>\n

    You might feel like you\u2019re doing small things, contributing here and there, attending events, helping one person at a time. It might even feel unnoticed.<\/p>\n

    But consistency has a way of speaking loudly when the time is right.<\/p>\n

    One day, you will open an email.<\/p>\n

    One day, your name will be called.<\/p>\n

    One day, you will be the one writing something like this.<\/p>\n

    And when that day comes, I hope you will also say:<\/p>\n

    \u201cI am indebted\u201d.<\/p>\n

    To everyone who has been part of my journey: mentors, friends, community members and everyone, thank you. Truly.<\/p>\n

    And to the WordPress community: thank you for being a place where someone from Uganda can dare to dream globally\u2026 and actually get there.<\/p>\n

    Now let me go and start checking passport expiry dates properly, because you never know i may now get a chance to Shake Matt\u2019s<\/a> hand<\/p>\n

    Moses Cursor Ssebunya<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Grateful. Growing. Going.<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n

    Ebbanja: Ekirooto kya Uganda ekyagenda e Buyindi<\/strong><\/h1>\n