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James Otai
Type: Applicant Led, Mountaintop Anglican Fellowship
Hometown: Kumi, Uganda
Fellowship Location: Kampala, Uganda
What inspired you to join Mountaintop?
"I am inspired by the opportunity to learn, unlearn, and relearn. As a leader, Mountaintop Fellowship is such a great avenue for me to acquire knowledge and gain valuable experience from experts and fellows who have succeeded in different fields. This will enable me and the team to scale our impact and empower more young people in Uganda."
James Otai, the co-founder and Director of Business Development and Operations at Imagine Her in Uganda, has pioneered transformative programs that empower women, youth, and school girls to overcome economic dependency, which stands at a staggering 87% nationally. Under his leadership, Imagine Her has skilled over 900 out-of-school rural women and youth in social entrepreneurship catalyzed the launch of over 500 social ventures, directly addressing challenges like food insecurity, climate change, and educational access to cultivating economic independence and resilience. His strategic initiatives have also revolutionized menstrual health management, reaching over 5,000 girls and women, dismantling taboos, and significantly reducing school dropouts.
A Master of Science in Environmental and Business Management, James has cultivated a dynamic team of over 50 professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. His efforts have not only ensured the scalability of programs but have also embedded a cycle of empowerment and public health improvements that ripple across communities, fostering economic growth and enhanced social awareness.
With an ambitious vision for the future, James is currently spearheading a fellowship project aimed at expanding Imagine Her's impact to an additional 1,500 women and youth by 2026. This project leverages the collective wisdom and experiences of global community empowerment leaders, enhancing its strategic approach to social entrepreneurship. Guided by the ethos, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” James is relentless in his pursuit to mobilize and inspire his team toward achieving sustainable solutions and profound community transformation. His lifelong commitment to service positions him as a pivotal leader dedicated to advancing development and fostering enduring change in Uganda.
For his fellowship, James will continue to enhance the impact of his existing projects, focusing on intensifying their outcomes. Additionally, he will address critical challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and the improvement of access to quality education for women, youth, and girls throughout Uganda.