"My name is Muhammed, but you can call me the slum ambassador." That's my first introduction to Muhammed Kisirisa, the 29-year-old founder of AFFCAD.

Despite his small frame he has the rare ability to fill any room he walks into. His organisation's full title is Action For Fundamental Change And Development, and his passion for it palpable.

The self-appointed slum ambassador was born in Bwaise. It is the poorest and most densely populated slum area in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. Two thirds of its residents are aged 15-25, but their future is little more than a quivering question mark in the dust-filled air.

Bwaise is home to more than 90,000 people - but not a very good one. Many locals have no access to basic services like water or sanitation. Combine that with extreme poverty and minimal education and what you get is an environment where young people struggle to find any form of employment.

This leads them down a path of illegal activity, from drug dealing to prostitution. A young girl might make as little as $3 for selling her body but given the alternative - which is nothing - it can seem like the only way to keep a roof over her head.

But thanks to AFFCAD there is now a different solution. With extensive financial help from the European Union, as well as assistance from IOM (International Organization for Migration), Muhammed and his colleagues were able to implement an innovative programme that targets vulnerable youth and women.

Its full title is Strengthening Social Cohesion and Stability in Slum Populations (SSCoS). SSCoS is giving the young dwellers of Kampala's slums access to legal employment that will keep them off the streets and out of harm's way.

For the time being they are helping 1,000 youth in Bwaise, as well as the slums of Kisenyi, Katwe and Kabalagala. Their methodology is straightforward and best reflected by an old adage: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

AFFCAD is trying to do just that by providing vocational training to at risk young people and women, and later giving them access to work opportunities. They have facilities where they can teach anything from hair dressing and catering to sewing or even photography.

They are not the only local NGO teaching locals valuable skills - others include YARID (Young African Refugees For Integral Development) and ACTogether. During my visit I was lucky to meet several of their students and I'm thrilled to share their stories with you today...

Rosemary Naigaga (restaurant owner)

Thanks to help from ACTogether, Rosemary was able to open her own restaurant in the heart of the slum. She now employs three young girls and is a big inspiration to the community around her. She hopes to be able to expand her business and move to a bigger location.

Godwins Ssebalijja (woodworker)

After completing his training with ACTogether Godwins was able to open his own workshop, Junior Furniture Workshop and Company. He spends his days crafting beautiful pieces with three of his friends. They also train local youth in carpentry and provide talented apprentices with potential work opportunities.

Fausta Kemirembe (hairdresser)

Fausta's colourful hair salon proudly displays a few high-tech machines, from an elaborate hair curler to a closet full of extensions. She received all of them thanks to the European Union's generous support, implemented by local NGOs, and says she's incredibly grateful. Now she can freely pursue her dream of being a hairdresser and entrepreneur.

Charles Mutebi (shoemaker)

Charles is a talented shoemaker who was able to open his own shop with YARID's assistance. His leather sandals come in deep vivid shades, interspersed with colourful beads. After admiring his wares for a few moments, several of the people accompanying me told him they'd put in an order when they next visited. I just silently wished I had more space in my backpack.

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If you plan on visiting Kampala and want to learn more about AFFCAD, go on one of their Slum Walks. These not only raise awareness of the living conditions in Bwaise, they also improve them using the proceeds from these tours.

If you're lucky you'll be guided by Muhammed himself and learn more about his story. He'll even take you to the house he was born in and introduce you to his mother. You might be wondering how this boy, born into dire poverty, was able to become the inspiring man he is today? He has a secret but it's not one you haven't heard before - it's hard work.

"I used to do a lot of things. Painting at the welding shop, I used to work at a depot, I used to go buy people food in the market. Then anything that would cross me I would just and go and help out. As long as it was making money for me, it was good for me to earn money to go to school.

I used some of my saving to start supporting fifteen children within this community. Pens, pencils for teaching children, using part of my money. So that's how I got to start thinking of how can I support communities. That was 2005."

Four years later he met his future business partners, Brian, Jaffar and Richard. They did a big campaign to support hunger victims in Uganda and during their drive back they came up with the idea of co-founding AFFCAD. Since then, they've gone from strength to strength.

I noticed a shelf of trophies in Muhammed's office. They sat on a high shelf gathering dust - a clear sign that his efforts are driven by genuine love for his fellow human beings rather than ego. "I received this award in Louisville, Kentucky from Muhammad Ali himself," he told me with a cheeky smile as he picked up one of them. "Every day I wake up and I want to be like him. I still have to do a lot more."

I believe he would make his namesake proud. As the great boxer and activist once said: “You don’t really lose when you fight for what you believe in. You lose when you fail to fight for what you care about.” If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's Muhammed's dedication to his community.

The self-appointed slum ambassador isn't afraid to aim high. "We are thinking big things for 2020. When you come back in a few years the slum will be at some level of transformation. Yes, we can!" he says with a twinkle in his eyes, echoing Barack Obama's famous slogan. "With all of you together we are powerful." Muhammed has the makings of a great leader and I can't wait to see what the future holds for the ambitious slum ambassador.