Jamil Shapes His Future with Music and Enterprise

When the sound of a trumpet echoes through Busimbi Village, it is often Jamil Kakoto, a 21-year-old instrumentalist, leading the melody. Once a boy who feared his dreams would be cut short by poverty, Jamil is now an assistant music instructor, guiding over 20 young musicians and inspiring his peers with both his talent and resilience.

Jamil’s love for music began in childhood. “I would spend hours listening to my grandfather’s old radio and silently pray that one day I would learn to play musical instruments,” he recalls. Yet his path was far from easy.

After losing his father at the age of two, Jamil and his siblings were raised by their aging grandfather, who struggled to provide for the family. School fees were a constant challenge, and Jamil feared that his dream of becoming a doctor, an ambition inspired by his grandmother’s illness, would slowly fade away.

In 2021, Jamil’s journey took a turn when World Vision introduced the Impact Plus initiative in his community. The programme equips adolescents with life and enterprise skills to prepare them for adulthood.

Jamil and his peers in Busimbi Village chose to pursue music, forming what has now become the first youth band in their area. Alongside music, they also learned practical skills such as making liquid soap, bags, and shoes.

“I use the skills I gained to make and sell liquid soap during school holidays,” says Jamil. “The income helps me meet some of my school needs.”

After a year of intensive training, Jamil mastered both the tuba and the trumpet, and now shares his knowledge with others. His discipline and dedication have paid off. The band is regularly invited to perform at community events, earning between UGX 500,000 and 800,000 (Aproximately 140-224 USD) per show.

But for Jamil, the money is about more than music. “Our priority as a group is education. The money we earn helps pay school fees for members,” he explains.

Today, Jamil stands as a role model, showing that with the right skills, young people can rise above hardship. 

“Through regular practice, faithfulness, and hard work, I have come this far,” he says. “With these skills and my supportive group, I believe I can achieve anything I dream of.”

Janet Namutosi, World Vision’s Area Programme Coordinator for Nankoma, says, “We have empowered over 16 adolescent groups under Impact Plus, and it is encouraging to see young people like Jamil complete school while contributing to their families’ income.”

From a boy who once feared he would never achieve his dreams, Jamil has grown into a young man building a future filled with hope, opportunity, and inspiration.

Story by; Mungu Jakisa Brian- Communications Officer.