Whats Up Kansas City? Interview with Sharifu Kiragga Tusuubira from Uganda Sharifu is a part of the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellows. The Mandela Fellows are on a educational journey for a six-week Civic Leadership Institute at Kansas State University. Throughout the course of the Institute, the Staley School will facilitate opportunities for cultural exchange and leadership development to advance the work of each Fellow by growing their capacity to lead change upon return to their home countries. Sharifu a Biomedical Scientist by profession , is the Executive Director of Uganda Sickle Cell Rescue Foundation an organization formed with the aim of promoting awareness and sensitization to fight sickle cell disease in Uganda. Sharifu lives with sickle cell disease and provides a firsthand narrative that addresses issues of care, behavior, stigma and discrimination.