TRANSFORM LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC
Together we can empower young people across Africa and drive lasting and positive change in health, education, and equality.
MEET THE BRASS FOR AFRICA TEAM
Andrew Agassi
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew joined Brass for Africa in 2017, having previously served as the Chief Operating Officer. He was pivotal in the expansion of the charity’s reach, notably establishing the crucial programme in Northern Uganda to support South Sudanese civil war refugees.
He is a well-regarded figure within the regional charity sector and currently lends his expertise as a member of the steering committee for the Uganda Humanitarian INGO Forum. His substantial background in strategic operations and in-country management provides a solid foundation for scaling Brass for Africa’s impact and achieving its ambitious goals.
lizzie burrowes BEM
Director of Music Education
Lizzie is the Director of Education for Brass for Africa, overseeing the charity’s entire education strategy and delivery. An expert in music education, she holds a Masters in Music from the University of Oxford and previously served as the Director of Music for a large London school, managing over 900 pupils’ musical education. Lizzie’s commitment to the field is highlighted by her being the recipient of the “Alison Balsom Fellowship.”
Andrea Berbegal
Director of Development
Andrea is the Director of Development for Brass for Africa, responsible for developing and implementing the strategic plan to raise vital funds and executing international partnerships and collaborations. Andrea holds a BA in Music from The Guildhall School and an MA in Human Rights from UoL.
ronald kabuye
Country Director
Ronald is a central figure in Brass for Africa’s mission, having been a programme beneficiary who rose from living in the streets to become a strategic leader over ten years. Embodying the charity’s transformative power, he played a key part in starting LAB UGANDA, the groundbreaking collaboration with Music Connects. With the charity’s support, Ronald earned a Law degree from Uganda Christian University and an International MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute, allowing him to bring his unique operational experience and deep expertise in strategy and the arts to his pivotal role.
DANIEL KASULE
Project Manager
AGNES NAMUGUMYA
Development Officer
maria nakabiito
Life-Skills Officer
BENA NABWIRE WAFULA
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
JOSEPHINE ABOTH
Operations Officer & EA to CEO
Music & life-skills teachers
Brass for Africa’s entire teaching staff is comprised of 23 African alumni who came through our own programmes.
This means every instructor shares the exact same backgrounds as the participants they teach. This crucial, lived experience creates an immediate bond of trust and empathy, allowing them to relate directly to the students’ challenges.
By providing sustainable employment pathways for our graduates, we ensure that our teaching is not only culturally resonant but also proves that leadership and success are achievable realities for young people from their communities.
board of trustees
Jim Trott MBE
founder / trustee
Jim is the visionary founder of Brass for Africa, an organisation born from his profound belief in the power of music to transform lives. Over 15 years ago, this passion was mobilised when he shipped 30 unwanted brass instruments from his son’s UK band to Uganda, igniting the movement that would become Brass for Africa.
By profession, Jim is a commercial pilot, currently flying the Boeing Dreamliner for a major airline. His relationship with Africa began over 30 years ago when he first lived and worked on the continent as a helicopter pilot in Nigeria. This extensive experience and deep connection to the region inform the sustainable, grassroots approach of Brass for Africa.
While his career takes him across the globe, Jim’s true focus remains on the power of music to unlock individual potential and strengthen communities—the core principle that continues to drive the charity he founded.
James Todd
Chair
Robert Dow
Shamina Peerboccus
Oliver Jackson
Kate Munk
Will Mills
Stewart Drummond
Andrew Otiko
Clare Delmar
Sharon’s story – empowered to teach
Living in one of Kampala’s largest informal settlements, 20-year-old Sharon faced a community where child labor, theft, and the marginalization of women were daily realities. In an environment that expected girls to prioritize domestic chores over education, Sharon struggled against cultural pressures that stifled female leadership and ambition.
Joining Brass for Africa transformed her outlook, providing a platform to travel and speak publicly to build her confidence. Now a determined trumpet player, Sharon aims to become a teacher and serves as an inspiration to others, proving that young women can break through cultural barriers to achieve their professional dreams.
