“Seven years in Dubai , in 40 seconds” — that’s how Rashid Lumunye condensed a life-altering journey that started with a one-way tourist visa, a shared bunk bed, and no job, to becoming one of the most influential Ugandan content creators with a UAE Golden Visa .
In one of his most viral Instagram Reels , which has now surpassed 10 million views, Rashid Lumunye chronicles his remarkable journey into just 40 seconds, going from a 20-year-old Ugandan newcomer, sleeping in airports, and working as an office boy, to a self-taught videographer, and finally a full-time content creator with a global following, who has since traveled across 16+ countries, bought his first car, upgraded apartments, and even flew his mother to Dubai. But behind those 40 seconds of triumph is a story of survival, self-education, and strategic risk-taking. His journey highlights not only his personal determination but Dubai’s broader strategy to support creators and entrepreneurs through platforms like Creators HQ and initiatives such as the UAE Golden Visa, which recognize and reward international talent, Dubai has become a launchpad for individuals like Rashid. His success is proof that the city’s commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing ambition can turn raw potential into real opportunities.
Arrival, uncertainty, and a 3-month deadline
Rashid’s story began on April 18, 2018, when he landed at Terminal 2, Dubai Airport, around 9:00 AM, clutching nothing but a suitcase and a tourist visa. At immigration, an officer stamped his passport and greeted him with: “Welcome to the UAE.” That small moment marked the beginning of a new life.
He was on a three-month tourist visa, the standard length at the time, and initially used the opportunity to explore. Like any boy from a small country, he was amazed—visiting Dubai Mall , standing before the towering Burj Khalifa , and soaking in the beaches of JBR. All the while, he applied for jobs every night from a shared bed in budget accommodation., determined not to return to Uganda.
Despite his love for his home country, he felt a pull toward Dubai, “the place where I personally belonged.” That early stretch involved applying for jobs non-stop and taking whatever leads came his way. A short-lived opportunity in Sharjah came and went. As his visa neared expiration, he did what many job-seekers in his position had to do: a visa run to Muscat, Oman, sleeping overnight at the airport, waiting for approval to return. Within 24 hours, he was back, this time, singularly focused on one thing: getting a job.
Office boy by day, creator by night
That second shot paid off. At just 20 years old, with no university degree and no corporate experience, Rashid secured a position as an office boy in Sharjah, earning a monthly salary of AED 1,500. Modest by any standard, but to him, it was a critical starting point.
Despite the modest pay, Rashid remained optimistic:
“I knew this was just a phase. Something better was coming.”
What stands out about Rashid's early survival in Dubai is his hyper-disciplined budgeting:
He earned around AED 1,500 a month, living in shared accommodation that cost him about AED 350. Food expenses ran between AED 150 and 200 monthly. Despite these costs, Rashid regularly managed to send AED 400–500 back home. After these commitments, he still saved roughly AED 450–550 each month, a steady effort that allowed him to invest in his gear and future.
Over time, those savings enabled him to buy a secondhand Toshiba laptop from J&P Signal in Sharjah. Back at his bunk, he installed Adobe Premiere Pro and began to teach himself video editing, consuming tutorials and drawing inspiration from creators like Peter McKinnon and Park Bay. He gave himself all of 2019 to learn the craft.
Later that year, he bought a used Samsung Galaxy S8, again secondhand, from Sharjah Rolla market, because iPhones were still out of reach. He would head to the Corniche, his nearest scenic location, during off-hours to shoot practice footage.
By mid-2019, Rashid had developed his editing skills enough to start showing his employer the videos he’d been quietly making on his secondhand Samsung Galaxy S8. He didn’t ask for a promotion, instead, he made an offer: he would create content for the company, entirely for free.
At the time, he was still working full days as an office boy, but he edited videos at night, often staying up long after his shift ended. His employer, who had always been receptive to Rashid’s ambitions and recognized the mutual benefit of nurturing in-house talent, responded with rare support. Slowly, his work hours were reduced so he could focus more on production — without a pay cut. That early trust laid the foundation for Rashid’s first formal foray into videography.
When his contract neared its end, Rashid made a bold decision: he resigned, confident he was ready for more. With his savings, he invested in beginner-level but essential gear, a Canon M50 camera, a gimbal, and a DJI Mavic Mini 1 drone. Then, he flew home to Uganda, not to rest, but to film the country end to end.
For weeks, he traveled across Uganda shooting real-world content, refining his editing fluency, improving his storytelling instincts, and building a body of work that truly reflected his progress. That trip became a turning point.
When he returned to Dubai, he approached his former employer once more, but this time, not as an office boy. He pitched himself as an in-house videographer, equipped with gear, experience, and a refined creative vision. Once again, his boss backed him. Rashid was rehired at a higher salary and spent the next year and a half producing full-time content for the company, growing sharper with every shoot
Going pro: From self-taught editor to Nas Daily videographer
While working as an in-house videographer in Dubai, Rashid came across a job post from Nas Daily — the global storytelling platform founded by Nuseir Yassin was hiring a videographer in Dubai. His friends quickly tagged him in the comments and even messaged him directly: "You’re in Dubai — you should apply to work with this guy. He’s famous!" Rashid took their advice and applied.
As part of his application, he submitted a cinematic travel video he had edited during a previous trip to Uganda. Unbeknownst to him, that video would become the key that unlocked the next phase of his career.
He was invited to attend a five-hour hackathon at the Nas Daily office in Emirates Towers, where only 40 applicants had been shortlisted from over 10,000 submissions. Each participant had to shoot and edit a compelling video on the spot. When Rashid walked in, Nas instantly recognized him, not from the participant list, but from the Uganda video he had edited months earlier. That video had left a strong impression.
By the end of the hackathon, Rashid’s video was judged the best. He had officially won the challenge — and with it, a role on the Nas Daily team
Initially, he joined Nas Academy, where he focused on learning. Later, he transitioned to Nas Studios, where he worked more closely with Nuseir himself. He shot videos across Dubai, and eventually abroad: Uganda, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia. The exposure was invaluable.
He wasn’t just holding a camera. He was observing how scripts were written, how ideas were packaged, how editing decisions were made, learning from one of the most viral storytelling formats in digital media today.
One day, Nuseir casually told him, “You should try to do content. You can try the Nas Daily style. It works.”
That push was all he needed.
Scaling up: Content creation, global reach & Golden Visa
Rashid began repurposing his travel footage into short-form content using the Nas Daily format. His first TikTok video got 7,000 views, a jump from his usual 300. Then 12,000, then 50,000. He kept posting. Audiences began to notice.
Rashid’s achievements have had real-world outcomes. He’s now moved into his own upgraded apartment, purchased his first car, and most memorably, flew his mother to Dubai, a moment he calls one of the best in his life.
Reflecting on his journey, he says, “It was never about the money first. That comes later, if you do the job right.”
This year, the UAE government formally recognised his impact.
Through Creators HQ, a platform created to empower creators within the UAE, Rashid applied for the prestigious 10-year UAE Golden Visa and was accepted. In his words, “Even if it wasn’t about the visa, I would still have applied to Creators HQ because it is the best creator hub right now.” He values how it brings creators from all stages together, learning from others, sharing his own experiences, and finding constant support and collaboration from like minded group of people along the way.
Today, Rashid runs Creatives Global, an online community where he mentors aspiring storytellers worldwide. He regularly holds sessions across Uganda, empowering youth and emerging creators with grassroots guidance—from filming basics to advanced scaling strategies. Based in Dubai, Rashid continues producing content that amplifies underrepresented voices from Uganda, Dubai, and beyond. What began with a borrowed bed and a tourist visa has grown into a purposeful career built on skill, self-belief, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
In one of his most viral Instagram Reels , which has now surpassed 10 million views, Rashid Lumunye chronicles his remarkable journey into just 40 seconds, going from a 20-year-old Ugandan newcomer, sleeping in airports, and working as an office boy, to a self-taught videographer, and finally a full-time content creator with a global following, who has since traveled across 16+ countries, bought his first car, upgraded apartments, and even flew his mother to Dubai. But behind those 40 seconds of triumph is a story of survival, self-education, and strategic risk-taking. His journey highlights not only his personal determination but Dubai’s broader strategy to support creators and entrepreneurs through platforms like Creators HQ and initiatives such as the UAE Golden Visa, which recognize and reward international talent, Dubai has become a launchpad for individuals like Rashid. His success is proof that the city’s commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing ambition can turn raw potential into real opportunities.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPHe1svk772/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPHe1svk772/
Arrival, uncertainty, and a 3-month deadline
Rashid’s story began on April 18, 2018, when he landed at Terminal 2, Dubai Airport, around 9:00 AM, clutching nothing but a suitcase and a tourist visa. At immigration, an officer stamped his passport and greeted him with: “Welcome to the UAE.” That small moment marked the beginning of a new life.
He was on a three-month tourist visa, the standard length at the time, and initially used the opportunity to explore. Like any boy from a small country, he was amazed—visiting Dubai Mall , standing before the towering Burj Khalifa , and soaking in the beaches of JBR. All the while, he applied for jobs every night from a shared bed in budget accommodation., determined not to return to Uganda.
Despite his love for his home country, he felt a pull toward Dubai, “the place where I personally belonged.” That early stretch involved applying for jobs non-stop and taking whatever leads came his way. A short-lived opportunity in Sharjah came and went. As his visa neared expiration, he did what many job-seekers in his position had to do: a visa run to Muscat, Oman, sleeping overnight at the airport, waiting for approval to return. Within 24 hours, he was back, this time, singularly focused on one thing: getting a job.
Office boy by day, creator by night
That second shot paid off. At just 20 years old, with no university degree and no corporate experience, Rashid secured a position as an office boy in Sharjah, earning a monthly salary of AED 1,500. Modest by any standard, but to him, it was a critical starting point.
Despite the modest pay, Rashid remained optimistic:
“I knew this was just a phase. Something better was coming.”
What stands out about Rashid's early survival in Dubai is his hyper-disciplined budgeting:
He earned around AED 1,500 a month, living in shared accommodation that cost him about AED 350. Food expenses ran between AED 150 and 200 monthly. Despite these costs, Rashid regularly managed to send AED 400–500 back home. After these commitments, he still saved roughly AED 450–550 each month, a steady effort that allowed him to invest in his gear and future.
Over time, those savings enabled him to buy a secondhand Toshiba laptop from J&P Signal in Sharjah. Back at his bunk, he installed Adobe Premiere Pro and began to teach himself video editing, consuming tutorials and drawing inspiration from creators like Peter McKinnon and Park Bay. He gave himself all of 2019 to learn the craft.
Later that year, he bought a used Samsung Galaxy S8, again secondhand, from Sharjah Rolla market, because iPhones were still out of reach. He would head to the Corniche, his nearest scenic location, during off-hours to shoot practice footage.
By mid-2019, Rashid had developed his editing skills enough to start showing his employer the videos he’d been quietly making on his secondhand Samsung Galaxy S8. He didn’t ask for a promotion, instead, he made an offer: he would create content for the company, entirely for free.
At the time, he was still working full days as an office boy, but he edited videos at night, often staying up long after his shift ended. His employer, who had always been receptive to Rashid’s ambitions and recognized the mutual benefit of nurturing in-house talent, responded with rare support. Slowly, his work hours were reduced so he could focus more on production — without a pay cut. That early trust laid the foundation for Rashid’s first formal foray into videography.
When his contract neared its end, Rashid made a bold decision: he resigned, confident he was ready for more. With his savings, he invested in beginner-level but essential gear, a Canon M50 camera, a gimbal, and a DJI Mavic Mini 1 drone. Then, he flew home to Uganda, not to rest, but to film the country end to end.
For weeks, he traveled across Uganda shooting real-world content, refining his editing fluency, improving his storytelling instincts, and building a body of work that truly reflected his progress. That trip became a turning point.
When he returned to Dubai, he approached his former employer once more, but this time, not as an office boy. He pitched himself as an in-house videographer, equipped with gear, experience, and a refined creative vision. Once again, his boss backed him. Rashid was rehired at a higher salary and spent the next year and a half producing full-time content for the company, growing sharper with every shoot
Going pro: From self-taught editor to Nas Daily videographer
While working as an in-house videographer in Dubai, Rashid came across a job post from Nas Daily — the global storytelling platform founded by Nuseir Yassin was hiring a videographer in Dubai. His friends quickly tagged him in the comments and even messaged him directly: "You’re in Dubai — you should apply to work with this guy. He’s famous!" Rashid took their advice and applied.
As part of his application, he submitted a cinematic travel video he had edited during a previous trip to Uganda. Unbeknownst to him, that video would become the key that unlocked the next phase of his career.
He was invited to attend a five-hour hackathon at the Nas Daily office in Emirates Towers, where only 40 applicants had been shortlisted from over 10,000 submissions. Each participant had to shoot and edit a compelling video on the spot. When Rashid walked in, Nas instantly recognized him, not from the participant list, but from the Uganda video he had edited months earlier. That video had left a strong impression.
By the end of the hackathon, Rashid’s video was judged the best. He had officially won the challenge — and with it, a role on the Nas Daily team
Initially, he joined Nas Academy, where he focused on learning. Later, he transitioned to Nas Studios, where he worked more closely with Nuseir himself. He shot videos across Dubai, and eventually abroad: Uganda, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia. The exposure was invaluable.
He wasn’t just holding a camera. He was observing how scripts were written, how ideas were packaged, how editing decisions were made, learning from one of the most viral storytelling formats in digital media today.
One day, Nuseir casually told him, “You should try to do content. You can try the Nas Daily style. It works.”
That push was all he needed.
Scaling up: Content creation, global reach & Golden Visa
Rashid began repurposing his travel footage into short-form content using the Nas Daily format. His first TikTok video got 7,000 views, a jump from his usual 300. Then 12,000, then 50,000. He kept posting. Audiences began to notice.
Rashid’s achievements have had real-world outcomes. He’s now moved into his own upgraded apartment, purchased his first car, and most memorably, flew his mother to Dubai, a moment he calls one of the best in his life.
Reflecting on his journey, he says, “It was never about the money first. That comes later, if you do the job right.”
This year, the UAE government formally recognised his impact.
Through Creators HQ, a platform created to empower creators within the UAE, Rashid applied for the prestigious 10-year UAE Golden Visa and was accepted. In his words, “Even if it wasn’t about the visa, I would still have applied to Creators HQ because it is the best creator hub right now.” He values how it brings creators from all stages together, learning from others, sharing his own experiences, and finding constant support and collaboration from like minded group of people along the way.
Today, Rashid runs Creatives Global, an online community where he mentors aspiring storytellers worldwide. He regularly holds sessions across Uganda, empowering youth and emerging creators with grassroots guidance—from filming basics to advanced scaling strategies. Based in Dubai, Rashid continues producing content that amplifies underrepresented voices from Uganda, Dubai, and beyond. What began with a borrowed bed and a tourist visa has grown into a purposeful career built on skill, self-belief, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
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