Sharon Kali
Sharon Kali is the team leader, although she does not like being in charge. She makes new paints, assesses new pigments, and guides the team as they grind the pigments and mull the paints. She is always looking for new ideas, and she loves to learn. She first used artist’s paint in June, 2023. Now she makes paint and is learning to paint pictures. She lives in Lira with her daughter, Heavenly Queen, and her family.
Sharon has worked as a community peer educator, an administrative assistant, a support worker for youth with HIV, and a farm manager. She makes and sells peanut butter as well.
Cynthia Catherine Aber
Aber Cynthia graduated in Mass Communication with a major in Journalism. She supports the team by documenting stories about the colors including their history and sources , and she also takes part in the paint making process. She has some experience as a communication officer.
She worked as a radio presenter in one of the local radios in Gulu, worked as Communication Facilitator and now helps us in Marketing and communication through sharing updates and reaching out to our Clients.
Jacky Acen
Jacky Acen is from the northern part of Uganda, in Agali, located in the Lira district. She is in her twenties. She comes from a family of seven—three girls and four boys and she is the third born. Jacky is married and lives with her daughter. She holds a certificate in accounting, but her true passion has always been working with communities to achieve common goals. Jacky enjoys making paints and has a love for music. Like many, she dislikes poverty, loneliness, and seeing others suffer. Working with the Paintmakers has taught her new skills she never thought she would have, like working in a team to make pigments and paints.
Akullo Sheila
Sheila Akullo is a social entrepreneur and a very committed young woman from Okaoite in Anai Okii, Lira City West Division, who is passionate about community work.
As a lead Peer Mentor at Paintmakers of Lira, she works directly with young mothers to create safe, art-based spaces for healing, storytelling, and economic empowerment. Drawing from lived experience and grassroots leadership, Sheila facilitates mural projects, reflection circles, and skills-based workshops that help young mothers rebuild confidence, reclaim their voices, and develop income-generating creative skills.
Her mentorship approach centers dignity, sisterhood , practical independence, dedication, and hands-on approach make her an inspiring mentor, creating positive impact in the lives of these young mothers.
Abong Mercy
Mercy Abong is a bright and hardworking young girl from Abia Village, Alebtong District, who lives with her mother , She plays an important role in supporting the team by helping to forage for materials used to make natural pigments and paints.
Having such a young and dedicated girl and adds a great perspective to our community activities, inspiring everyone around hers with the love she has for learning.
Jacob Opio
Jacob Opio is a Human Resource Management student at Lira University and a hardworking , dedicated member of our team. He comes from Abia village in Alebtong District. He studies over the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) meanwhile he dedicated to be with the team from Monday to Friday. He started by helping us collect plant materials and showed a keen interest in learning the paint making process. Now, Jacob is taking the lead in conducting research and sourcing materials for our paints. We really appreciate his commitment and passion.
James Apenyo
James Apenyo is from Adekkokwok (Ogengo village). He is an Artist who completed his Senior Six(S6), where he studied Art at Mentor Secondary School. In addition to formal education, he undertook personal training in art to strengthen his painting skills.
During his time at Akwoyo Campus (Mentor Secondary School) at senior six, he further developed is interest in creative and diverse technical skills in computer science and technology (IT), website development, painting. carpentry and welding acquired through workshops.
James supports Paintmakers of Lira by testing paints and helping create samples of paintings using the ready-made paints. He has strong skills and great experience in drawing and painting, which he uses to ensure the quality and creativity of the paints.