in my Ugandan culture and one my father repeated often, especially after returning home from a trip. He was a frequent traveller, crossing di erent parts of Uganda for work. He’d tell us stories about the new places he visited, the strangers he met along the way, and most memorably, the new dishes he had tried.
Food, in his travels, was something special. It was one of the most authentic ways he made us connect with a place: its people, culture, and traditions. And as a child, I grew an appetite to explore beyond the usual dishes that regularly graced our family table.
Now that I have started traveling around the world, especially in Africa, I find myself drawn to food in the same way my father was. The moment I land somewhere new, I venture out and connect with locals. I ask them where I
A Culinary Journey
through Africa:
How Food tells my Travel Story
by Emmanuel Naturinda
should eat, what I absolutely must try, and the one dish I can’t leave without tasting.
My culinary journey across di erent African countries has been a delicious and spicy adventure. Every dish I’ve tasted gave a glimpse into the culture and identity of the people behind it. When I think of Uganda, food is comfort and warmth. In Ghana, it’s bold flavors, pride, and that playful competitiveness over who makes what better. In Zambia, it’s about simplicity and togetherness. In Botswana, it’s heritage and endurance behind how they preserve meat. In Ethiopia and Somalia, it’s all about community and the beauty of sharing meals.
One thing that connects all these cuisines is the bold, vibrant flavor each country brings to its food. And that, for me, is the real “taste of Africa.” So, join me as we explore some of the dishes you absolutely must try when you travel across Africa.
East Africa
Since I am from Uganda, I’ll start with a dish I have enjoyed since childhood, and that is Matooke (steamed and mashed green bananas), often served with groundnut sauce and paired with posho (ugali), rice, or sweet potatoes. Another special dish that goes well with matooke is chicken luwombo, usually served at cultural events. It's tender chicken cooked in banana leaves.
My favorite Ugandan street food is a Rolex. It’s a chapati rolled with eggs, tomatoes, and veggies like cabbage and tomatoes. A must-try on your next trip to Uganda!
Moving further south to Rwanda, look for the nearest milk bar to enjoy Ikivuguto, a traditional fermented milk, with the locals.
Heading to Kenya and Tanzania, Nyama Choma (grilled meat), either goat or beef, takes the spotlight, often enjoyed with friends and a side of kachumbari (a fresh tomato and onion salad)!
And if you’re venturing to Ethiopia, gather your friends and ask for Njera! It's a soft, spongy flatbread spread over a platter, usually topped with lentils, cabbage, sweet potato, chard, beets, chickpea curries, and much more. Delicious! I also loved the doro wat, a spicy chicken stew simmered with berbere (a fiery spice mix) and served with hard-boiled eggs.
Crossing into Somalia? Don’t miss canjeero, a thinner, softer version of injera, served with the most flavorful goat stew I have ever had!
West Africa
Jollof rice takes the spotlight in this part of Africa. My first trip outside East Africa was to Ghana, and that’s where I had my first taste of Jollof, and yes, it lived up to the hype.
Now, who makes the best Jollof rice? Ghana? Nigeria? Senegal? This battle may never end, but I’ll let you decide when you make it to West Africa.
Another great staple you should try is Fufu, a smooth, stretchy dough prepared from yams or cassava, served with a rich peanut or okra soup.
sorghum, served with beef stew. It was such a filling and comforting dish. I also tried beef setwaa, a slow-cooked beef stew, and equally loved it! But the culinary highlight of Botswana for me was biltong, a dried meat snack similar to beef jerky in Kenya! It’s also a common snack loved by everyone across Southern Africa. Definitely a must-try!
North Africa
I am yet to visit a North African country! But because this list would be incomplete without a dish from the region, I asked my friends to recommend one I should try.
My friend from Morocco suggested b’stilla, a savory pie layered with spiced meat (often pigeon), eggs, almonds, and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. This sweet and savory contrast intrigues me, and it’s now on top of my culinary bucket list.
LUGYA
ANGELLA NANTAMBI
Life After Graduation:
What no one tells you about the
Real
World
Transitions are inevitable. Whether it’s moving to a new country, stepping into an unfamiliar job, or navigating personal growth. In this conversation, Angella Nantambi and Ahmed Lugya, two Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, reflect on the transitions that have shaped them. They discuss the fears, lessons, and unexpected joys that come with stepping into the unknown. Their conversation, candid and thoughtful, explores how mentorship, resilience, and a willingness to learn can make all the di erence.
Angella: You ever wake up one day and wonder, “How did I get here?!” Not in a deep, philosophical way. Just in a “Wow, I have actual responsibilities now” kind of way. One minute, you’re a student living o instant noodles. Next, you’re leading meetings, trying to sound like you know what you’re doing. That’s how I felt when I moved into my new job as an EdTech Innovation Fellow at Arizona State University’s EdPlus enterprise unit. And I know I’m not alone in this. Ahmed, what are you doing now?
Ahmed: Right now, I’m a Software Asset Manager at the Royal Bank of Canada. Honestly, I never imagined I’d be doing this! If you had told me five years ago that I’d be managing software assets at a bank, I would have laughed. Coming from Uganda just a few years ago, I had no idea this world even existed.
We manage the entire software asset lifecycle at the bank, everything from procurement to security. It’s complex, but I love it. I enjoy problem-solving and working with people, and every day brings something new. It keeps me from feeling boxed into one role, and that’s what I love most.
Angella: It sounds like a huge shift. Was it a big transition for you?
Ahmed: Definitely. But I’ve been through transitions before. Leaving Uganda mid-degree for an internship in Arizona was a big one. Then later, shifting from computer science to data science for my master’s. Every step came with doubts, I didn’t even think I could do my job. But within a month, colleagues were coming to me with questions. That made me wonder—how many things do we assume we can’t do, just because we’ve never tried?
Angella: Uhm, yeah! Sometimes, it’s not that I can’t do a task. It’s the fear of not doing it perfectly that shakes me, especially when it’s a new role. And to be honest, the fear doesn’t go away. We just learn to do things scared and find the right help to make it happen. That’s what I’ve learned.
Moving into project management was terrifying at first. I kept questioning whether I was good enough. I had to rely on my team for support, and seeing them trust me really helped. But growth means facing new expectations and figuring things out along the way.
Ahmed: Exactly. Some of these limiting beliefs don’t always come from within. They’re also shaped by the people around us. We don’t always see people like us in certain spaces, so we assume we don’t belong. That’s why mentorship is powerful. It shows you what’s possible. When I was at Makerere University, I had a professor who challenged my thinking. When I applied for opportunities, he’d always ask, “Do you really want this?” and make me go back and reflect.
Through him, I met more people who had done things I never thought were possible. One of them taught me to be concise, to structure my thoughts, and to always carry a small notebook at all
What feels impossible today will one day be a memory, just keep going!
times. I didn’t understand why back then. Now, I see how valuable that advice was.
Angella: Well, I met my first mentor when I was 11. She helped me make decisions on many things, including my high school choice and college degree. She was there at every step of the transition.
Ahmed: People think they need a lifelong mentor. But the mentor who helped me in Uganda wouldn’t have been the right guide for navigating Canada. Each transition requires a new kind of support.
And often, you don’t need to chase mentors. When you show up and do the work, they find you. People start supporting you, opening doors you never imagined. That’s how it’s worked for me.
Angella: Speaking of Canada, how was that transition for you?
Ahmed: A shock, honestly! I thought I was prepared, but Canada humbled me real fast. The weather alone? During my first winter, I layered up like I was preparing for an Arctic expedition, and people still told me I wasn’t dressed warmly enough! Also, school was tough! Back home, you could miss weeks and catch up. Here, by week two, assignments were already counting toward final grades. It forced me to adapt fast.
Thankfully, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supported us a lot. Being the first cohort, they really invested in our adjustment.
Angella: The U.S. was the same for me! People think you land at the airport and life just sorts itself out. Nope! You quickly realize that rent is expensive, taxes are confusing, and making
friends as an adult is weird. And don’t get me started on grocery shopping—why is milk in gallons?! People glamorize it, but once you’re here, you see the grind. People juggle jobs, push through. You have to be open, build networks, and put in the work. And when the time comes to leave—because this isn’t home—you want to have learned and poured into others the way people poured into you.
Ahmed: That’s why I believe in lifelong learning. The world keeps shifting—if I held onto the mindset I had in school, I’d be panicking about AI replacing jobs. But when you commit to learning, you make better decisions. And you pay it forward.
Angella: Absolutely. So, what advice would you give to someone going through a big transition, maybe, they’re graduating, starting a job, moving to a new country?
Ahmed: Three things. First, stay positive. Not in a toxic way, but acknowledge the hard moments, and don’t let them control your next move. Second, take the first step. You don’t need to have it all figured out —just move. Third, be a lifelong learner. Read, absorb, and adapt. And a bonus? Share what you learn. Your journey can change someone else’s life.
Angella: I love that. For me, I’d say: Stay in community. Transitions are hard, but people want to help. And remember, nothing stays the same forever. What feels impossible today will one day be a memory. Just keep going.
Ahmed: Well said. This was such a great conversation!
L VERSLANE
Mapenzi ya kweli hayafi Nalingi yo
Edrine Ssemwanga & Martha Owori – Ashesi University
Helina Andoh & John Agbesi Bese – CAMFED
Barbara Mensah & Prince Marfo Gyebi – University of California, Berkeley
Gracia Batusua Biduaya & Jonathan Mukoka – Arizona State University
Alpha Ngwenya & Arishaba Ritah – Arizona State University
Cybil Mupazviriwo & Tinotenda – Ashesi University
Rudo runokunda zvose
Derrick Tumuhairwe & Jovia Nazziwa – Makerere University
Victorine Vondee & Elikem Afeku – CAMFED
Margaret Andoh & Emmanuel Owusu – Ashesi University
Susan Penelope & Ronald Mukunde – American University of Beirut
Jennipher Alista Panashe & Trust Mandianike – Ashesi University
Aleen Utuje & Benedict Quartey – Arizona State University
with Dinkinesh Awagew
Hello Dinkinesh, can you tell me about yourself and your journey?
My name is Dinkinesh Awagew, and Lucy is my nickname. I was born and raised in a rural village called Ankoana, in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. My parents told me that my disability occurred when I was 2 years old, because of polio.
Until I was 12 years old, I had no wheelchair. I was walking on my knees and did not have access to education. It was believed that children with disabilities were "cursed by God" because of their parents' sins. So, my parents didn’t allow me to go outside. Especially during ceremonies at home, I had to hide and go to the kitchen or somewhere else to stay out of sight.
But when I turned 12, a university student came to our home and told us that students with disabilities were studying at Bahir Dar University. He said, “They even move faster than us.”
After that moment, I became determined to go to Bahir Dar by any means possible. I left home with 200 Ethiopian birrs for transportation and accommodation, walking on my knees over rocky mountains. My knees were bruised and peeled, but halfway through the journey, I found a truck heading to Bahir Dar, and convinced the driver to take me.
When I arrived, I spent the whole day alone, but later my aunt came and took me to her home. I sat at home for four months because I didn’t have a wheelchair. When I finally got one, I pushed to start school. I even told the principal to let me start from grade 1. After a test, they were surprised and placed me in 2nd grade. From then until 8th grade, I was always ranked first.
Later, I joined University of Gondar with a Mastercard Foundation scholarship and earned my first BA degree in Sociology.
What are some of the challenges you have experienced on your journey?
I’ve faced a lot of challenges. One time, a university lecturer came into class, saw my wheelchair, and said, “Why is there a wheelchair in the classroom? Whoever it belongs to, throw it out.” I stayed silent, but when I went to remove it, the students stood up and defended me.
Also, training in the mornings was tough. I used to climb a mountain as part of my training—my hands would shake in class from the exhaustion. I
We recently caught up with Dinkinesh Awagew, an alum of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Gondar University. Living with a physical impairment since the age of two, Dinkinesh opens up about her journey, the challenges she faced, and the dreams she is chasing.
had to wake up at 5 a.m., train, and then head to school by 7:30 a.m. Finances were also a big challenge. Races only paid for 15 days, once or twice a year. I worked as a shoe shiner after school just to survive.
Many people would have given up in the face of such challenges. What motivated you to keep pushing forward?
The first thing is that I set goals, and I was committed and dedicated to achieving them. I don't even want to stop my education at the Bachelor's degree level; I want to continue all the way to a PhD. I always tell my friends that I want to be called Dr. Lucy.
I read the stories of successful individuals, watched TV programs, read posts on social media, and I would sleep for only 4 hours from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. That’s how I overcame the challenges I faced.
What have you been up to since you completed your undergraduate
I work in a government o ce as a social mobilizer. But to be honest, the wage is too little. It doesn’t even cover my rent. So I opened a small restaurant with my younger sister. During COVID-19, schools were closed, and we were just sitting at home. So I started the restaurant. I was the cook; she was the waiter. Now she manages it herself.
You’re a decorated athlete. Can you tell me more about that aspect of
I am actively engaged in six sports, including basketball, wheelchair racing, weightlifting, throwing, and tennis. I’ve earned more than 50 medals at national and regional competitions. Sports mean a lot to me. It helped me gain self-confidence and friends all over Ethiopia, in Hawassa, Adama, and Addis Ababa. And above all, sports kept me healthy. That’s more important to me than the medals or
One was the national sports competition in 2016 E.C., where I won gold in all the events I participated in—100m, 200m, and weightlifting. The media interviewed me, and I felt very proud.
The other was the 2022 final match we played against South Africa. We won by just a few points. Even the FIFA delegate there said that Ethiopian wheelchair athletes could compete globally.
banks, roads, and restrooms are not accessible. I always tell bank managers that people with disabilities should not need help writing a bank slip. If we can write, we should do it ourselves.
also an athletic trainer. What drives you to help others develop their athletic abilities?
In 2000 E.C., I was the only female wheelchair racer from the Amhara region. That made me realize the lack of participation among women with disabilities in sports. It’s mostly because of the negative attitude in our community.
I wanted to bring women with disabilities out of the shadows. Now, I coach and guide many girls with disabilities. I also help them get access to education.
From your perspective, what can societies and institutions do to be more inclusive of persons with disabilities?
Whenever I travel to di erent cities, I always take pictures of good accessibility features when I travel and show them to stakeholders here, like a hotel seat for persons with disabilities I saw in Nairobi. But hotel owners here haven’t made changes. They only pretend to care about the rating, but nothing changes. We need real change.
What advice would you give to young people, especially those who feel held back by their circumstances, such as disability?
Don’t give up, stay strong, set goals, live for them, and build self-confidence. I su ered and cried 24/7. All of my siblings were learning, except me. I even tried to drink poison, and people saved me. Because when you're a disabled child, everyone beats you, and you're worthless to your family. You meet mean people. Like landlords who didn’t want to rent to me because I use a wheelchair. But even in that bad situation, I was thinking: tomorrow I’ll have a better life.
Read and listen to inspiring stories. Read books. They guide and inspire success.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Are there any dreams or goals you’re currently working towards?
What has been your most memorable competition or victory?
The community has a bad attitude toward persons with disabilities. So raising awareness is the most important thing. Public services like
Right now, I’m working with organizations in Addis Ababa that donate wheelchairs. I’m trying to convince them to open a branch in Bahir Dar, because wheelchairs are really hard to get there. One wheelchair costs around 25,000 Ethiopian Birr. But in Addis, they even replace wheelchairs every 2 or 3 months. I’m advocating for us in Bahir Dar to get the same kind of support. I’m also using TikTok to spread awareness. I’m doing everything I can, and I hope God will help me.
