Meet Our Founders
St. Jude Home of the Disabled was born from the shared vision of two hearts deeply rooted in faith and love for the vulnerable. Co-founders Joseph Musisi and Judith Nankabirwa have dedicated their lives to serving others, believing that every child — no matter their challenge — is worthy of dignity, care, and opportunity. Guided by Scripture and a calling to be the hands and feet of Christ, they established this ministry to bring hope and healing to children with disabilities in Uganda.
Joseph Musisi
Co-Founder & Director
My name is Joseph Musisi, and I am a co-founder and director of St. Jude Home of the Disabled. My passion to serve the most vulnerable was ignited by the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” For many years I carried out missionary work around the globe, encountering the crucified Christ in the faces of the poor, the abandoned, and especially children living with disabilities. Each encounter deepened my prayer: “Lord, never let me grow weary in doing good.” Because of this calling and the faithful service I offered, I was blessed with a full scholarship to study at Divine Word University in the United States, where I graduated with a major in Theology and Intercultural Studies. These studies strengthened my understanding of God’s love for the marginalized and equipped me to serve across cultures with compassion and respect. Today, I work as an administrator at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (Common Spirit) in the United States, where I focus on navigating resources and securing basic needs — food, housing, medical care, and dignity — for our clients, many of whom are vulnerable and overlooked. This role continually reminds me that true service begins with seeing the person in front of you and meeting their immediate needs with love. Together with my co-founder, Judith, we established St. Jude Home of the Disabled because we believe God has called us to be His hands and feet for children who have been forgotten. Our mission is rooted in faith, guided by Scripture, and driven by the conviction that every child — no matter their ability — is made in God’s image and deserves care, opportunity, and hope. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40
My full name is Judith Doreen Nankabirwa. I am a co-founder and director of St. Jude Home of the Disabled, a devoted wife, and a proud mother of three wonderful children: two daughters and one son. I grew up in Kayunga, Uganda, in a large, loving family surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. My parents were deeply committed to our local Catholic Church, serving with faith and selflessness. My mother, a nurse, spent her life caring for others — particularly children with disabilities and serious illnesses who were brought to her for treatment. I often stayed by her side and witnessed the heartbreak of parents who had no income, no resources, and almost no hope. She never turned anyone away; she treated many children for free, offering not only medical care but compassion and dignity when families felt most desperate. Compassion has always been the driving force in my life. While working at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Pediatrics, I cared for vulnerable children and families, and my dream of starting my own health care business grew stronger. That vision became reality with Classic Adult Family Home — a place of hope and care for the vulnerable in Washington State. Seeing a smile and receiving a compliment from a client or child is profoundly humbling — it reminds me that the unconditional love we share is guided by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12).
Together with my co-founder and partner, Joseph, we embraced this calling and established St. Jude Home of the Disabled. We put God first because we truly believe He placed this purpose on our hearts. I am a caregiver by nature — I love helping, comforting, and uplifting others. My team and I are committed to working tirelessly to restore hope, dignity, and opportunity to children with disabilities and their families. “With God first, we believe that love and care can change lives forever.”
