How Cape Town Helped to Fund a Skatepark in Kampala, Uganda
By Kris van der Bijl
Monday, 25 May 2026. Jason Vanporppal, a skateboarder from California, ended a journey of over 100 days.
His journey of more than 5,500 kilometers began in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda and ended in Cape Town after raising over $35,000 in donations.
The goal is simple: raise enough so that the young people of Uganda have a safe, fun, and dedicated place to skate.
What Inspired Jason Vanporppal to Skate across Africa?
Jason Vanporppal is no stranger to using a skateboard as a vehicle for change.
Previously, he completed two major long-distance skating challenges, crossing America from Venice Beach to Times Square in 76 days, and Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa in 50 days.
Those journeys raised over $30,000 and put more than 500 complete skateboards into the hands of kids around the world who had none.
Africa, however, was different. The idea took root after Jason formed a friendship with Isaac Jojinah and Ephraim Ssekiziyiv, two Ugandan skaters and co-founders of the Kampala Skateboard Initiative.
Seeing the reality on the ground firsthand convinced him that something bigger was needed. Uganda’s skate scene is growing fast, but the infrastructure simply has not kept pace.
Young skaters are still practising on cracked concrete and rough streets, using worn-down gear, with no dedicated space to call their own.
The goal of this project is to change that, by building a skatepark with the community, for the community, designed to be a hub for creativity, growth, and connection.
What is the Kampala Skateboard Initiative (KSI)?
Founded in 2022 by Isaac and Ephraim, the Kampala Skateboard Initiative is a community-driven organisation working to empower young Ugandans through skateboarding.
KSI can provide young people with a space to learn and express themselves, introducing skateboarding to communities where it had never existed before.
Such initiatives connect young people to local and international networks that opened doors to cultural exchange and career opportunities.
The virality of this event is a great example.
Additionally, KSI has always welcomed boys and girls equally, regardless of background or ability.
Journey Highlights
Jason set off from Kampala on 8 February 2026, alongside Isaac and Ephraim, pushing south through seven African countries on nothing but a skateboard. The route took the trio through Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana before crossing into South Africa.
Along the way, they were hosted by skate communities in Rwanda, connected with entrepreneurs in Tanzania, and visited schools to spend time with local kids.
They replaced bearings and trucks, wore through multiple pairs of shoes, and kept rolling through rough road conditions and long days that stretched to 12 hours of skating at a time.
In South Africa, his movements through towns like Beaufort West have caused otherwise sleepy villages into a frenzy of young people looking to be a part of the journey in whatever way they can.
How You Can Help
Every contribution to the campaign goes directly toward construction materials, local labour, and skate gear for the community in Uganda.
Donations of any size make a difference and can be made through the GoFundMe page run by the Always Pushing Foundation at gofundme.com/f/donate-to-build-a-skatepark-in-uganda.
Image source -https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1464317682134435&set=a.100199411879609
