Esther Ruth Mbabazi is a photographer based in Kampala, Uganda. As a documentary photographer, Mbabazi uses storytelling and photojournalism to explore changing conditions on the African continent amidst the social, physical, and emotional aspects of daily life. Mbabazi is driven to bring overlooked issues to light through a curious and empathetic perspective.
She is a National Geographic Explorer, a Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellow, and a contributor to Everyday Africa. She is one of six talents recognized for the 2020 World Press Photo 6×6 Africa. Her work has received support with grants from the Pulitzer Center, National Geographic, Magnum Foundation, and the IWMF.
Mbabazi’s images have been published in the New York Times, TIME, National Geographic, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, El Pais, and commissioned by a variety of international organizations.
A series of collaborative portraits made with the Gulu Women with Disabilities Union (GUWODU) in Gulu, Uganda celebrating individuality and personal expression. From the custom-made outfits to the vibrant backdrops, the women guided every decision to best represent their individual stories and styles.
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This project follows three Ugandan teenagers as they navigate the challenges and joys of youth.
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