Hello, I am Advocate Brownie Ebal
I am a legal Practitioner, Venture Capitalist and Philanthropist.
Welcome to my site.
I love life, travelling, food, beauty, the law, leadership and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. I hope to inspire each one of you with my various articles as I share from my experiences around our beautiful world.
I live in Kampala, Uganda.
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Article 6: 10 Key life lessons for our teenage children
Authored by Brownie Ebal, Edited by TECHExpertsUG
In this rapidly connected world, parents often struggle with raising well-behaved children. I firmly believe that the youth are the answer. Most children, just need a relatable mentor to guide them on their journey.
At Kitabu- Buk project we focus on developing children into the best versions of themselves through education and career talks. Kitabu- Buk Project is a local NGO, that works on a recycling model through collecting new and used textbooks and donating them to local UPE and USE schools. We also advocate for better education through holding various career talks with young people.
On behalf of Kitabu- Buk Project, I was honoured to speak to teenagers at Janice’s 16th birthday celebration by the lakeside at Kazi Beach Resort. I felt truly honoured to be given this chance to impact young lives through sharing my life experiences with them.
I must extend my heartfelt gratitude to Janice’s parents for trusting me with this opportunity to empower their daughter and her friends with valuable life lessons on her special day.
Now, let’s dive into the key takeaways from my speech:
- Be your authentic self.
My speech started with a game where guests passed a cup around. When the music stopped, the person with the cup had to read instructions written on the piece of paper and act them out. Some papers instructed the participants to act silly by barking like a dog, neighing like a horse and such. Other papers instructed the participants to showcase their talents in singing and dancing. As the game progressed, I noticed everyone becoming more confident and freer. This game allows each one of us to never be afraid and just be you, no matter how silly you look.
2. Be confident
As a 16-year-old, strive to take on any task thrown at you, be it silly, outside your comfort zone, or plain boring. These tasks will install confidence in you and keep you upbeat. I was excited when each time the music stopped, everyone did their best to act out whatever was written on the paper. This sort of environment teaches every 16-year-old to be open, to do their best and to do it with confidence as it takes courage to even try.
3. Never give up
Do not give up, even when you do not understand what is going on. Never give up. Keep trying so that you are in a better place than you were the last time. Life is about trying and getting up when things do not go your way.
4. Cultivate good relationships.
Make friends with people who will develop you. Choose your friends wisely. They will become the reason for your success or failure in life. Be kind and respectful to everyone. Your classmates will be in different places fifteen years from now. They will remember how you made them feel when they were sixteen years old.
I have been blessed in this life. Whenever I go to different organizations, I find my classmates working there. This is because I was kind to everyone in school, they are more than willing to help me. Instead of them running away when they see me, they are excited to say hello and help me with my endeavours. In some businesses I run, my classmates have been my first clientele supporting my businesses directly or indirectly through referring clients to me. They have also invested and said my name in rooms I would have never entered. This is because they trust in what I do and stand for. So, my dear ones, treat people well and they will shower blessings upon you that no amount of money can ever buy.
5. Seek knowledge and financial independence.
I have an uncle, Uncle David, who always says, “Brownie, die in your books. I am where I am because I was ahead of the curve. I always strived to be the most knowledgeable person in the room. This enabled my submissions to be filled with wisdom and created the need for people to look for me. This prevented me from being irrelevant.”
This is a message to all of you. Improve, learn and gain something new every day. Never limit yourself and your opportunities. Understand money and how to make, keep and re-invest it. These tenets will stay with you for the rest of your life. This financial knowledge will enable you to be financially independent earlier than your peers.
At 25, for my Bar Course at the Law Development Centre, I was able to pay for my own school fees. This was because I had saved part of my pocket money, during my Master’s Degree in the UK. It would have been easier to just spend all the money I was being given for school, but I had read “The Richest Man in Babylon by George Orwell” and learnt to save money. This is when I realised, I could pay my own school fees, it gave me a sense of independence that everyone should feel and a desire to work harder to make more money.
Currently, I am enrolled in an Corporate Governance Course and I am also paying for it, not out of necessity but out of pride. Every parent wants to see their child financially independent.
6. Love thyself.
Know who you are and what you stand for and take nothing less. Have standards and stick to them. People will respect you for that. Take care of your body. Practice personal hygiene. No one wants to associate with a smelly person. With good personal hygiene, you will feel good about yourself and more people will want to associate with you. Let no person try to define you. You can do anything. There will be naysayers. Prove them wrong. You control your destiny.
7. Put God first.
I believe in God. Know that you are a child of God and as it is said in Psalms 149: 13-14: “You made my whole being. You formed me in my mother’s body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother’s body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.”
The Lord loves each one of you. He created you for a purpose. Seek Him in all you do and wisdom will be given unto you.
8. Manage your social media brand.
Today, there are several social media platforms. Anything can go viral. Use your social media handles to do good, to make people better versions of themselves. Speak positivity into your friends’ lives and strive to do good. Share with your followers the good things God has done in your life and how your lifestyle can help them to become better people. In twenty years’, time, your social media will be a diary unto your life. Write on it appropriately.
9. Be present and express gratitude in the now
In this social media world, we are more distracted than ever. We tend to spend a lot of time on useless things and forget about the important things. I kindly advise each one of us to be present, when having dinner with our families and friends. When in class, be present, do not let these gadgets take away the beauty of being in the now. Also, the era we are in is quite fast paced, many of you are worried about how life will turn out, are you making the best choices? Learn to enjoy the now, God gave you this life to be enjoyed and if he has taken care of the birds, he will definitely take care of your future. Be present and grateful for what you have around you.
10. Use up all your talents for good.
Life is a beautiful journey. Before you die, you must exhaust your whole being. Use your God-given talents to spread love, peace and joy. You should die empty so your death is a testimony of God’s will.
Finally, I would like to thank Janice’s family and Aga Khan High School for giving me a platform to share my insights with these young ones.
For more information on how you can partner with Kitabu- BUk Project, kindly visit our website on: https://kitabubukproject.org/
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Article 5: Discovering Uganda’s Treasures; an Unforgettable Journey in my motherland
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to Uganda’s tourism industry, forcing a paradigm shift as international travel restrictions made it difficult for tourists to explore distant lands.
In the face of adversity, Ugandans started to embrace domestic tourism, unveiling the hidden gems within their own borders. Inspired by this newfound appreciation, I embarked on a personal quest to discover the wonders of my homeland, Uganda, and create unforgettable memories before turning 30.
Setting My Bucket List:
With a fervent desire for adventure, I devised a bucket list that would allow me to experience the diverse beauty of Uganda:
1. Visit all National Parks in Uganda.
2. Embark on a Gorilla Trekking expedition in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
3. Conquer the majestic peaks of Mountain Rwenzori.
4. Soar through the skies with a thrilling skydive over Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.
Preparation and Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
Fuelled by the passion to witness the enigmatic gorillas firsthand, I shared my dream with a like-minded friend, who graciously offered to make it a reality. Reserving two gorilla trekking permits through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, we eagerly set off on our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located a scenic 540 kilometers away from Kampala for my birthday treat.
As the sun began to set on a Friday evening, we embarked on a six-hour drive to Kabaale at exactly 4pm, arriving late at night with the anticipation of the adventure that awaited us. Rising early the next morning, we continued our odyssey, reaching the park gate by 7 am.
The winding road to Ruhija park entrance posed a thrilling challenge, testing our resolve. However, driven by our determination to witness the gorillas, we embraced every twist and turn, unwavering in our pursuit.
The Gorilla Trekking Experience:
At the park gate, Ugandan pride surged through our veins, and we relished the feeling of accomplishment. Equipped with walking sticks, we joined fellow explorers, eagerly awaiting the briefing that would unlock the secrets of the gorilla kingdom.
In the presence of our knowledgeable guide, we were immersed in a world of astonishing facts and vital safety instructions. We learned that these magnificent creatures, the largest living primates, find refuge in the lush tropical vegetation of Bwindi National Park. They face numerous threats to their survival, including poaching, habitat destruction, and disease. Our hearts swelled with a sense of responsibility to protect these endangered species.
Armed with newfound knowledge, we embarked on our trek, venturing deep into the African jungle. The untamed wilderness unfolded before our eyes—streams meandering through verdant valleys, gentle hills stretching into the horizon, and a tapestry of flora guiding our path.
Traversing the mystical landscape, we caught our first glimpse of a mountain gorilla group. Led by the commanding silverback, the alpha male, the group consisted of females and their young. Observing from a respectful distance, we marveled at the gentle nature of these awe-inspiring creatures. Unperturbed by our presence, they went about their daily routines—feeding on plants and tenderly grooming their offspring. In the heart of the jungle, surrounded by nature’s embrace, our souls found tranquility.
The Encounter:
While admiring a baby gorilla nestled beside its mother, a wave of fear washed over me as the silverback approached, the silverback is the leader of the gorilla family. As the leader of the group, the alpha male’s duty is to protect the group from attacks by humans, leopards, or other gorillas, which he will execute even at the cost of his own life.
Frozen in place, I held my breath, praying that I would remain unnoticed. To my surprise, the majestic animal passed by, his focus directed toward a massive branch. In that moment, I realized the inherent peace within the animal kingdom—only retaliating when provoked, harboring no ill intentions toward humankind.
The Return and Beyond:
Emerging from our expedition, we felt a newfound sense of accomplishment, conquering not only the physical challenges but also our inner fears. Adrenaline coursed through our veins, erasing all traces of doubt. Upon our return to the Uganda Wildlife Authority office, we were greeted with warm congratulations and a surprise graduation ceremony. Each participant received a certificate, commemorating our achievement and sealing the memories forever.
This transformative encounter with Uganda’s wildlife fueled my thirst for adventure, propelling me to explore further horizons. Skydiving over Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah became the next chapter in my journey—an exhilarating tale yet to be told.
Gratitude and Hope:
Heartfelt appreciation goes to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board, dedicated rangers, and local guides for their unwavering commitment to preserving our natural heritage. Through their efforts, future generations will continue to marvel at the wonders that Uganda holds. My voyage of self-discovery within Uganda’s borders has forever changed my perspective on travel and the delights of my country. Beyond distant lands lie treasures awaiting exploration. With determination, an open mind, and a spirit of conservation, we can unveil the secrets of our own countries and create remarkable memories that transcend time. Let us embrace the world on our doorsteps and forge unforgettable adventures, preserving our natural heritage for generations to come.
Authored by Brownie Ebal
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Article 4: Great reads: Key takeaways on how to work with people of various capacities
Written by Advocate Brownie Ebal
There is a popular belief that if you want to hide something from an African person, write a book. However, I believe, the current, African landscape has learnt the trick and the generation is more knowledge seeking.
I am a firm believer that what we experience in this world is not new. If anyone wants to get a head in life, they need to read the wisdom of others which is often hidden in books.
I was struggling with working with people and Ameso Angela (The Co-Founder Kitabu- Buk Project: an NGO that donates used and new textbooks in Uganda), recommended the book: Collaborating with the Enemy by Adam Kahane.
I must admit, the title captivated me thou I thought “enemy” was a bit much. In addition, the author worked to reconcile drug lords in Colombia, so who would not want such advice? I immediately dived into the book.
These are the 10 key takeaways from this book on how to
to build a collaborative team through stretch and conventional collaboration1. Stretch collaboration: This is more than making a deal or an agreement, this kind of collaboration involves planning. It is an ongoing, emergent process in which action is more important than agreement. As in gardening, we can only create some of the conditions for a collective effort to flourish. We cannot direct it to do so. In this scenario, we normally start with a plan and the difficulty is in ensuring that members stick to the plan. Usually, in Stretch collaboration, participants take the plan that is modest, short term and low risk since they may not like or trust one another.
2. In order to ensure this works out, one should take one step at a time and learn as you go. As the leader, create conditions under which participants can act freely and creatively, creating a path towards success so they can overcome obstacles and take the next step. Remember, no gardener tries to convince a plant to grow. If the seed does not have the potential to grow, there is nothing anyone can do to induce it. In this regard, people find their way forward, not necessarily because they have a good map or plan, but rather because they begin to act and thus generate tangible outcomes in some context. For
example, “a young Lieutenant in a small Hungarian detachment in the Alps sent a reconnaissance unit into the icy wilderness. It began to snow immediately, persevering for two days so that the unit could not return. The lieutenant suffered, fearing that he had dispatched his people to death. On the third day,
the unit came back. Where had they been? How did they make their way back? They said they had considered themselves lost and were waiting for the end when one of them found a map in his pocket that calmed them down. They pitched camp, lasted out the snowstorm, and then with the map they discovered their bearings.
The lieutenant borrowed this remarkable map and had a good look at it. He discovered to his astonishment that it was not a map of the Alps, but of the
Pyrenees.” This shows that once you create a conducive environment for members to flourish and seek ideas on their own, whatever obstacle they come across, they will overcome it. Here the leader must believe in their team for changes to happen.3. In Stretch collaboration, members should feel that they are co-creators. This will enable the team work together to achieve a goal as they feel valued and are contributing as individuals to something.
4.Talk to members in the group through creating better communication channels for example better through Creating dialogue eg. In my experience, Debating eg. In my opinion.
5. Conventional collaboration: This focuses on trying to change what other people are doing. These might be fellow collaborators or even people outside our collaboration who are targets of our
collective activities. This involves the creative process which is a process of finding not of projecting something already seen and known in one’s mind. The needed inner gestures here are fearlessness in letting go of what isn’t working, and boldness in proposing new solutions.6. It is useless for one to focus on what one’s enemies should be doing. Focus on what you should be doing differently to deal effectively with the challenges you are facing.
7. Blaming others is a common and lazy way to avoid doing one’s own work and Philosopher Rene Girard says that we create enemies as a way to avoid dealing with the conflict within our communities or within ourselves. Philosopher Martin Buber adds, “ this perspective in which a man sees himself only as an individual contrasted with other individuals and not as a person whose transformation helps towards the transformation of the world contains a fundamental error. The essential thing is to begin with oneself and at this moment a man has nothing in the world to care about than the beginning. Any other attitude would distract him from what he is about to begin, weaken his initiative and thus frustrate the entire bold undertaking.”
8. We tend to feel better when we commit to a given task rather than lazily blaming others for our failures. People we think of as our enemies can surprisingly play a helpful role.
9. If we want to get things done, we must collaborate in a complex, conflictual and uncontrolled context. To do so, we must stretch. The primary obstacle in learning to stretch is overcoming the familiarity and comfort of our habitual way of doing things. We must move away from a declarative (It must be this way) toward a subjunctive (It could be this way).
10. We must loosen our attachment to our opinions, positions and identities: to sacrifice our smaller, constricted selves to our larger, freer one.
Finally, the above stretches are both frightening and liberating. The only way to collaborate with the enemy is to be more open to different views and keep learning.
This book opens your eyes to how trivial some of our issues can be that result in us not working together for a common goal. The author worked with drug lords and rebels to bridge peace in various countries through some of these methods. Therefore, if these methods can work for war lords, us as individuals, friends, family, co-workers, should work with others and have a growth mindset as working with people is part of life.
For more information kindly buy the book: “COLLABORATING
WITH THE ENEMY: HOW TO WORK WITH PEOPLE YOU DON’T AGREE WITH OR LIKE OR TRUST BY ADAM KAHANE”Kindly subscribe to our weekly newsletter where I will write about the various events, that I attend. I love sharing the knowledge I learn and I hope my key outputs can help each one of you on your journey to becoming the best versions of yourself.
Written by Advocate Brownie Ebal
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Article 3: 10 core messages to know when strategising for success through personal branding
The Rotaract Clubs are a group of young people who are passionate about changing lives in their communities. They meet weekly and participate in various charitable acts.
On 12th May, 2023, I was hosted by the Rotaract Club of Entebbe in my capacity as The Leaders Are Learners Club President.
Leaders are Learners Club is an association that brings together National Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) staff who are passionate about becoming the best version of themselves through learning various leadership skills.
The 10 key takeaways from my talk include:
- Before you start to build your brand, you need to understand what you want to be remembered for or what legacy are you leaving behind. In order to fully appreciate this, you need to understand yourself and harness the unique individual that is within you.
2. Once you have understood who you are, you can be able to know your niche. This will enable you attract the right people to you and in a place full of commotion, gain a Market Niche.
Importance of personal branding:
3. Personal Branding helps one to stand out and be recognized in Society. Our society is highly competitive and clients, employers are looking for people or companies who can go an extra mile. Personal branding will help one do that.
4. This leads to opportunity as it gives one an edge over others and when a person is looking for something specific, you will be the point of reference.
5. Branding helps you gain trust from your audience. This is because people will look you up or carry out background checks to ensure that you are what you say you are. If your personal brand is strong, then they will want to work with you.
How to grow your personal brand:
6. Define your Brand by Understanding who you are so that you can convey a coherent message.
7. Secure your online presence by starting a blog, you tube channel, Instagram, Facebook page and share content that you want to be identified with.
8. Define your audience and work towards capturing their attention.
9. Think about the future and think about the person you want to be ten years from now. Once you do that start working towards that, if you want to be the best surgeon, starting handing around great surgeons, sharing content on surgery and interacting with like-minded people.
10. Personal branding is easy it just needs one to be consistent and committed to who they want to become.
Written by Adv. Brownie Ebal
For more information on Rotaract Club of Entebbe Airport kindly contact:
https://rotaractclubofentebbeairport.wordpress.com/
For more information on Leaders Are Learners Club kindly contact:
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Article 2: 10 fundamental lessons from the branding and networking session for young lawyers
Uganda Law Society is a body that was set up by the Uganda Law Society Act of 1956, CAP 276, as the Bar Association for lawyers in Uganda to help protect and promote lawyers across Uganda. The Young Lawyers Mentorship series started in 2021 during COVID and has grown to impact the lives of many young lawyers in shaping their professional future.
This May, 2023, The Uganda Law Society hosted Miss Feizin Amlani who has a background in restoring education in different conflict war zone countries through coaching and mentoring. She later pivoted in life to the legal field and has harnessed branding and networking to position herself as a formidable lawyer. She was able to maneuver this career change through perseverance, resilience, consistency and building relationships and is a testament to all of us that anything is possible.
Why networking and branding yourself is important:
- One needs to seek for new clients.
- There is a lot of competition and one needs to stand out.
These are my 10 key takeaways from her talk:
- As a lawyer one needs to have a good reputation so people can trust you. Lawyers therefore have to mind what they post on social media. This will eventually influence what comes up when someone googles your name.
- Use the resources around you to create something innovative. Even without finance, one can start a blog, a You tube series and leverage it to showcase one’s skills. Testament to this, this is how she started network ninja, which is a company that provides lessons on how one can improve their networking skills.
- When one is networking, they should always have a wingman. This is a person who you can go with together for events and is a good way to make you more comfortable with meeting new people.
- Always look your best. Imagine every time you go out, this might be someone’s first impression of you. As human beings, we are happier to talk to someone presentable and feel comfortable around them than a shabby person.
- Ensure you are networking outside of your profession. This will enable you interact with clients who need your services.
- Think about your value statement when you are interacting with others. This should be the key areas you would wish to be remembered for. Understand your value statement and ensure it is articulated clearly.
- Always have a plan. Do not just attend random events, ensure you have understood how that particular networking session will benefit you. Also, understand your strengths as a human being, some people are introverts and would prefer writing to in person meetings. If you are like that do start a blog or contribute to various journals and then use social media to showcase your work.
- Ensure that after meeting people you follow up with them. You can text them or send an email within 48 hours as this will enable them remember you and keep you in mind in case any opportunity comes up.
- After following up, please do manage your relationships. Ensure you are interacting with people and are checking in to see how they are doing. Networking is a continuous process, engagements never stop.
- Smile and have fun. Life is too short so ensure as you are networking, you are enjoying yourself.
Miss Feizin Almani is an incredible lady and an inspiration to us all. I truly enjoyed her insights and I am ready to put them into practice.
Written by Advocate Brownie Ebal
Kindly subscribe to our weekly newsletter where I will write about the various events, that I attend. I love sharing the knowledge I learn and I hope my key outputs can help each one of you on your journey to becoming the best versions of yourself.
NB. Young Lawyers have been offered a discount to attend the Networking Ninja Master Class.
For more information on Networking Ninja kindly visit:
Information on ULS activities kindly visit:
About Me
I love reading, writing, attending events, learning, leadership and meeting new people.
I hold a Masters Degree in International Law and I am passionate about life.
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