AboutTim Marotto2024-10-29T14:42:36+00:00

OUR STORY

Brass for Africa’s story began when airline pilot Jim Trott MBE, Founder and Executive Director, shipped 30 worn out and unloved brass instruments to an orphanage in Uganda. What started as a way to save the instruments from the scrap heap turned into a journey of hope and transformation.

Since 2009, the charity has partnered with over 20 organisations including the UNHCR, Plan International, Mercury Phoenix Trust, Oxfam and The Elton John AIDS Foundation to deliver our life-changing programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa.

OUR STORY

Today, Brass for Africa provides music and life-skills education to over 1500 disadvantaged children and young people across Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia every week. We’ve partnered with over 20 organisations such as the UNHCR, Plan International and Oxford University to deliver over 30 programmes.

VISION, MISSION & VALUES

At Brass for Africa, we believe that all young people and their communities should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and thrive.

Our mission is to empower thousands of marginalised children and young people in Africa to significantly and positively transform their lives. Combining rigour and creativity, we will be a world leader in driving social impact and social justice through music.

Currently, we deliver Music & Life-Skills Education to over 2000 disadvantaged children and young people across Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia.

INSPIRATION

PASSION

INTEGRITY

INCLUSION

VISION, MISSION & VALUES

Brass for Africa’s vision is that all young people and their communities have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and thrive.

INSPIRATION

PASSION

INTEGRITY

INCLUSION

OUR PATRONS

ALISON BALSOM OBE

GUY BARKER MBE

THE TEAM

Brass for Africa is a UK based charity that is over 95% African-led.

GET IN TOUCH

Jim founded the charity over 15 years ago when he shipped 30 unwanted brass instruments from his son’s brass band in the UK to Uganda. Until January 2025 Jim served as Brass for Africa’s Executive Director, before handing over Andrew Agassi. Jim is a commercial pilot by profession and his relationship with Africa started over 30 years ago when he went to live and work as a helicopter pilot in Nigeria. Currently Jim is an airline pilot flying the Boeing Dreamliner. Jim’s real passion is for music and the power it has to transform individuals and communities, and in 2021 he was Honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, being made an MBE for services to disadvantaged youth in Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia.

Jim Trott MBE

Founder / Trustee

As CEO, Andrew oversees global operations at Brass for Africa, having previously served as the charity’s COO. Andrew joined Brass for Africa in 2017 and he holds an IT degree from Jomo Kenyatta University in Nairobi and formerly served as Regional Director for Hope 4 Kids International in Africa, managing projects across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia. Andrew currently sits on the steering committee for the Uganda Humanitarian INGO Forum and was instrumental in establishing Brass for Africa’s programme in Northern Uganda, supporting South Sudanese civil war refugees.

Andrew Agassi

Chief Executive Officer

Lizzie holds a masters in music from Oxford University where she was also a choral scholar. She has been the Director of Music for a large school in London responsible for the music education of over 900 pupils and managing 28 staff. Lizzie is the recipient of the “Alison Balsom Fellowship ” and will oversee all of the charity’s education needs.

Lizzie Burrowes

Director Of Music Education

Andrea is responsible for the development and implementation of a strategic plan to raise vital funds for the organisation. Working closely with the Founder & Executive Director, she also works on the planning and execution of international partnerships and artistic collaborations. She has previously worked as Creative Partnerships Manager for arts agency HarrisonParrott, and managed world-renowned musicians at IMG Artists. Andrea is passionate about people and music, and providing social empowerment through the arts. Andrea holds a BA in Music from The Guildhall School and is currently studying an MA in Human Rights.

Andrea Berbegal

Director Of Development

For over ten years now, Ronald has been one of the driving forces fuelling our mission. Not only has he played a vital role in the success of Brass for Africa, but he has also achieved remarkable personal growth. With the support of Brass for Africa, Ronald pursued his passion for law and completed a degree at Uganda Christian University in Kampala, and more recently, an International MBA in Arts innovation from Global Leaders Institute. Ronald played a key part in starting LAB UGANDA, our ground-breaking collaboration with Music Connects.

Kabuye Ronald

Country Manager

Working closely with the Director of Development, Carmela takes the lead in developing and implementing Brass for Africa’s new Marketing and Communications Strategy aimed at increasing awareness and building momentum, community and excitement! Carmela has managed marketing campaigns for non-profit and arts organisations like Midlands Arts Centre and Sónar International Music Festival. She is driven by social justice and is passionate about championing creativity as a tool to help organisations connect with their audiences.

Carmela Naya

Marketing & Communications Manager

Nassaazi Aisha

Media Assistant

Alan lives in the Scottish Borders and works throughout the UK and beyond as a freelance musician, teacher, conductor, judge, and compere. A world class and renowned composer of brass music, Alan has composed pieces especially for the bands and young people involved with BfA and he visits Uganda periodically to train and mentor our teachers.

Alan Fernie

Composer In Residence

Kasule Daniel

Project Manager

Yumbe

Aboth Josephine

Operations Officer & Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer

Nabwire Bena Wafula

Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Amanya Annah

Accounts Assistant

Bwambale Bernard

Partner Relations Officer and Executive Assistant to the Director of Music Education

Maria studied and grew up at the Tender Talents Magnet School. After her A-levels, Brass for Africa sponsored Maria through university and she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Community Psychology in 2018. Maria is at the hub of BfA operations and also teaches singing at The Mummy Foundation.

Nakabiito Maria

Life-Skills Officer

Kiconco Daisy

Receptionist

Hayward Hussein

Office Assistant

Kivumbi Charles

Driver

Mukama Allan

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Iman Juuko

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Mugisha Confidence

Music & Life-Skills Teacher

Kwizeera Samuel

Music & Life-Skills Teacher

Ampaire Victor

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Mwebe Julius

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Komuhendo Brenda

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Best is from Kampala, he grew up in the M-LISADA orphanage. He has played the trumpet for ten years and is now a brass teacher having completed the BfA teacher training apprenticeship. Best attended a certificate course in photography at Uganda Institution of Business and Management Studies and helps the media team taking photographs at events.

Bagumirabingi Joseph

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Mwolese Tonny

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Sekiranda Mouris

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Micheal grew up in the M-LISADA orphanage and started playing trumpet from an early age. Micheal was also chosen to be one of the original ten teachers to participate in the BfA Teacher Training Programme. He is now on staff as a full time teacher and undertakes other roles of responsibility such as coordinating and mobilising his fellow teachers.

OUR STORY

OUR STORY

VISION, MISSION & VALUES

INSPIRATION

PASSION

INTEGRITY

INCLUSION

VISION, MISSION & VALUES

INSPIRATION

PASSION

INTEGRITY

INCLUSION

OUR PATRONS

ALISON BALSOM OBE

GUY BARKER MBE

THE TEAM

GET IN TOUCH

Jim Trott MBE

Founder / Trustee

Andrew Agassi

Chief Executive Officer

Lizzie Burrowes

Director Of Music Education

Andrea Berbegal

Director Of Development

Kabuye Ronald

Country Manager

Carmela Naya

Marketing & Communications Manager

Nassaazi Aisha

Media Assistant

Alan Fernie

Composer In Residence

Kasule Daniel

Project Manager

Yumbe

Aboth Josephine

Operations Officer & Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer

Nabwire Bena Wafula

Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Amanya Annah

Accounts Assistant

Bwambale Bernard

Partner Relations Officer and Executive Assistant to the Director of Music Education

Nakabiito Maria

Life-Skills Officer

Kiconco Daisy

Receptionist

Hayward Hussein

Office Assistant

Kivumbi Charles

Driver

Mukama Allan

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Iman Juuko

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Mugisha Confidence

Music & Life-Skills Teacher

Kwizeera Samuel

Music & Life-Skills Teacher

Ampaire Victor

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Mwebe Julius

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Komuhendo Brenda

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Bagumirabingi Joseph

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Mwolese Tonny

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Sekiranda Mouris

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Nyombi Micheal

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Nangobi Sharon

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Kamukama Tadeo

Music and Life-Skills Teacher

Kibuuka Ivan

Music and Life-Skills Teacher