Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda/Board Elections 2025/Mubiru Shafik

Thank you for your interest in running for the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Board Elections 2025.

To help us learn more about you and your candidacy, please complete the form below:

Candidate details

Name: Mubiru Shafik

Username: Fiktube

Photo:

Motivation and Contributions

Why are you running for the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Governing Board? What unique contributions would you bring to the board? What do you hope to learn through this role?

I am running for the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Governing Board because I am deeply passionate about promoting free knowledge, empowering communities, bridging the gender gaps, foster innovation and ensuring that Ugandans have access to accurate and reliable information as well as ensuring that Uganda’s image to the rest of the world is based on actual events not misinformation.

My Unique Contributions

Community Engagement and Outreach, Strategic Planning and Advocacy, Diversity and Inclusion, Capacity Building, Innovation and Collaboration.

What I hope to learn through this role

Personal Growth
Community Dynamics
Leadership and Governance

By running for the board, I aim to bring energy, dedication, and a fresh perspective to the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda. I am committed to working collaboratively with the community to advance our shared vision of a world where knowledge is free and accessible to all.

Wikimedia Experience

Please describe your involvement with the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda and the wider movement, including: Contributions to Wikimedia projects, Participation in User Group activities..

My involvement with the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda and the Wider Movement

I joined the movement in 2019 and since then I have actively contributed to various Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons through a number of campaigns including but not limited to WikiGap, WikiForRefugees, Wiki4HumanRights, WikiSoccerthons, WikiVibrance, all Wiki Loves Campaigns, GLAM Wiki, Wiki Source, among others. I have participated in Content Creation and Editing, Quality Improvement including photo hunts, Partnerships and Collaborations including training different individuals and organizations for example Touch The Slum in Namuwongo, Media Outlets including Voice of Bugerere on WikiSoccerthons, among others.

I have been actively involved in organizing and participating in Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda events, such as edit-a-thons, workshops, and training sessions. For example, I have been on a number of COTs for different campaigns serving an assign role including the COT for the AGM in 2024.

My involvement with the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda and the wider movement has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face. It has also allowed me to build strong relationships within the community and develop the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the Governing Board. I am committed to using this experience to support the User Group’s growth and ensure that it continues to make a positive impact in Uganda and beyond.

Strategic Priorities

From your perspective, what should the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda prioritize over the next 3–5 years? Why do you consider these priorities the most important?

From my perspective, the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda should prioritize the following key areas over the next 3–5 years to ensure sustainable growth, inclusivity, and impact.

Expanding Community Engagement and Diversity
Increasing Content Creation and Quality
Strengthening Partnerships and Advocacy
Leveraging Technology and Innovation
Ensuring Sustainability and Organizational Development

These priorities are essential according to me because they seek to address the core challenges we may be facing as a community, such as limited participation, content gaps, and resource constraints. By focusing on these areas, I personally believe that the User Group can:

Build a more inclusive and engaged community.
Preserve and share Uganda’s unique knowledge with the world.
Strengthen its capacity to achieve its mission and sustain its impact over the long term.

Relevant Experience

Please describe any relevant skills and knowledge you have in areas such as, Governance, management, finance, leadership, or similar fields.

My Relevant Skills and Knowledge

Governance

Stakeholder Engagement: I have experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including community members, and partners to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.

Management

Project Management: I have successfully managed a number of projects including Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki Soccerthons which I co-led with a colleague from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards. For example, we engaged with professional photographers to ensure that we have high quality Ugandan sports content on Wikimedia Commons "I managed a community outreach program that trained over 10 volunteers at Touch The Slum who among themselves went on to win Wiki Loves Africa in Uganda 2024.
Team Leadership: I have led teams of media content members, fostering collaboration, motivation, and accountability. My leadership style emphasizes inclusivity, transparency, and empowerment.
Event Coordination: I have organized and coordinated quite a number of events, such as workshops, conferences, and training sessions, ensuring smooth logistics and impactful outcomes. For example, Wiki Loves Campaigns from 2020 to date, GLAM Wiki Exhibition 2024, WikiSoccerthons, and the User Group AGM in 2024.

Finance

Budgeting and Financial Planning: I have experience in developing and managing budgets as I've been blessed to be on a number of COTs including Wiki Loves Campaigns, Wiki Soccerthons 2024, AGM 2024, among others, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and financial sustainability.

Leadership

Experience: I was granted an opportunity to lead students in my high school days having served as HeadBoy/HP for Namagabi SS in 2015-16, this gave me an amazing experience of serving the students, the staff and the board.
Strategic Visionː I have a proven ability to develop and articulate a clear strategic vision, aligning organizational goals with the needs of the community and the broader movement. For example, I successfully managed to be part of the Strategic Planning activity that was organized by the User Group.
Conflict Resolution: I have experience mediating conflicts and facilitating constructive dialogue among team members and stakeholders, ensuring a positive and collaborative working environment.
Mentorship and Capacity Building: I have been mentored and I am also mentoring and training new individuals, helping them develop their skills and confidence to take on leadership roles.

These skills and experiences equip me to contribute effectively to the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Governing Board.