Watch Viral Video: Dubai-Based Ugandan Content Creator Shares His 7-Year UAE Golden Visa Journey in 40 Secs
In a viral Instagram Reel that has surpassed 10 million views, Rashid Lumunye condenses a life-altering seven-year journey into just 40 seconds. His story chronicles a transformation from a 20-year-old Ugandan newcomer, sleeping in airports and working as an office boy, to a self-taught videographer and full-time content creator with a global following. Today, he is a UAE Golden Visa holder who has traveled across 16+ countries, bought his first car, upgraded his apartment, and flown his mother to Dubai.
But behind those 40 seconds of triumph is a deeper narrative of survival, self-education, and strategic risk-taking. His journey highlights not only his personal determination but also Dubai’s broader strategy to support creators and entrepreneurs through platforms like Creators HQ and initiatives such as the UAE Golden Visa. Dubai has become a launchpad for individuals like Rashid, proving 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 Dubai Airport with nothing but a suitcase and a three-month tourist visa. An immigration officer stamped his passport and said, “Welcome to the UAE,” a small moment that marked the beginning of a new life.
Amazed by the sights of Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, and JBR beaches, he spent his days exploring. Yet, every night, he applied for jobs from a shared bunk bed in budget accommodation, determined not to return to Uganda. He felt a pull toward Dubai, “the place where I personally belonged.” As his visa neared expiration, he undertook a visa run to Muscat, Oman, sleeping overnight at the airport before returning to Dubai within 24 hours, singularly focused on getting a job.
Office Boy by Day, Creator by Night
His persistence paid off. At 20, with no degree or corporate experience, Rashid secured a position as an office boy in Sharjah, earning a monthly salary of AED 1,500. Despite the modest pay, he remained optimistic: “I knew this was just a phase. Something better was coming.”
His hyper-disciplined budgeting was key to his survival:
· Salary: AED 1,500
· Shared Accommodation: AED 350
· Food: AED 150-200
· Sent home: AED 400-500
· Monthly Savings: AED 450-550
These savings allowed him to invest in his future. He bought a secondhand Toshiba laptop, installed Adobe Premiere Pro, and spent 2019 teaching himself video editing by watching tutorials from creators like Peter McKinnon. He later purchased a used Samsung Galaxy S8 and practiced shooting footage at the Sharjah Corniche.
By mid-2019, Rashid offered to create content for his company for free. He worked full days as an office boy and edited videos at night. His employer, recognizing his talent and the mutual benefit, reduced his work hours to focus on production—without a pay cut.
The Turning Point: Investing in Himself
When his contract ended, Rashid made a bold decision. He resigned, invested his savings in a Canon M50 camera, a gimbal, and a DJI Mavic Mini drone, and flew home to Uganda. For weeks, he traveled across the country, filming and refining his storytelling skills. This trip became a turning point.
Returning to Dubai, he pitched himself to his former employer not as an office boy, but as an in-house videographer. His boss backed him once again, rehiring him at a higher salary. For the next year and a half, Rashid produced full-time content for the company, growing sharper with every shoot.
Going Pro: From Self-Taught Editor to Nas Daily Videographer
While working in-house, Rashid saw a job post from Nas Daily, the global storytelling platform founded by Nuseir Yassin. Encouraged by friends, he applied, submitting a cinematic travel video from his Uganda trip.
He was shortlisted from over 10,000 applicants for a five-hour hackathon at the Nas Daily office. When he walked in, Nuseir instantly recognized him from the Uganda video that had left a strong impression. By the end of the challenge, Rashid’s video was judged the best, winning him a role on the Nas Daily team.
He started at Nas Academy before transitioning to Nas Studios, where he worked closely with Nuseir, shooting videos in Dubai, Uganda, Nigeria, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. He absorbed crucial lessons in scripting, idea packaging, and editing from one of the most viral formats in digital media. Nuseir’s casual encouragement, “You should try to do content. You can try the Nas Daily style. It works,” was the final push he needed.
Scaling Up: Content Creation, Global Reach & The Golden Visa
Rashid began repurposing his travel footage into short-form content. His first TikTok video jumped from 300 to 7,000 views, then 12,000, then 50,000. Audiences began to notice, and his achievements multiplied: an upgraded apartment, his first car, and the memorable moment of flying his mother to Dubai.
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 recognized his impact. Through Creators HQ, a platform created to empower creators, Rashid applied for and was accepted for the prestigious 10-year UAE Golden Visa.
“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 says, valuing the community and collaboration it offers.
Today, Rashid runs Creatives Global, an online community where he mentors aspiring storytellers worldwide. He holds sessions across Uganda, empowering youth with guidance from filming basics to advanced strategies. Based in Dubai, he continues producing content that amplifies underrepresented voices. 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.
