Kitties Love Uganda: One Man’s Mission of Mercy for Street Cats

Amid Uganda’s bustling streets, where stray animals often go unseen, one man has devoted his life to rescuing the most vulnerable: abandoned cats in desperate need of love and care. Lumala Ali, 20 years of age, founder of a cat shelter in Uganda, has been rescuing and rehabilitating stray cats since 2022, driven by nothing but pure compassion and an unshakable belief that animals deserve better.

“I love cats so much,” Lumala says. “I believe they understand us humans, even though they can’t speak. That’s why I help them and I’ll be doing that for the rest of my life.”

The shelter began with a dream and a deep sense of empathy. After losing both of his parents at a young age, Lumala was left to navigate life on his own. Though he once aspired to become a lawyer, grief and hardship shifted his path toward a purpose he hadn’t foreseen: saving lives in a different way, through compassion. With no support system, he redirected his life towards helping those who couldn’t help themselves: the cats on the streets of Uganda.

The shelter currently houses 25 cats and kittens, many of whom were rescued in heartbreaking conditions. “Most of them come from the streets. They’re usually starving, very tiny, and look bad,” Lumala explains. One of the rescues he remembers most vividly was a cat that had been hit by a speeding car. He found the cat in pain and took immediate action to save its life.

Running the shelter is no easy task. With only two team members, every rescue, feeding, and medical check-up is a labor of love. And though the shelter focuses primarily on cats, Lumala has also opened his heart and home to dogs.

Creating a shelter may not have been his original plan, but it’s become a lifelong commitment rooted in empathy and resilience. What began as a simple act of compassion has now grown into a full-time mission, one that continues to make a difference every day.

Lumala Ali has built more than a shelter—he’s created a beacon of hope for animals no one else would notice. His quiet heroism is a reminder that even in the face of hardship, one person’s love can change dozens of lives. 

To support or follow his journey, visit @kitties_love_uganda.