Podcast Summary: Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel

Episode: From the Streets of Uganda to Saving Lives: Peter Mutabazi’s Journey of Hope, Family & Second Chances
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Rachel Uchitel
Guest: Peter Mutabazi

Overview

This episode explores the extraordinary life and mission of Peter Mutabazi, a former street child from Uganda who overcame cycles of poverty and abuse to become a passionate foster parent and advocate in the United States. Through Rachel Uchitel’s thoughtful conversation, listeners hear how Peter’s experiences of hardship, coupled with the life-changing kindness of others, inspired him to foster—and eventually adopt—over forty children, offering them hope, stability, and unconditional love. The episode highlights second chances, the realities and challenges in the foster care system, and Peter’s message that anyone can leave a transformational impact on a child’s life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Peter’s Childhood in Uganda

• Grew up in intense poverty: only one meal every other day, usually beans and potatoes; significant childhood mortality rates in his village.
  • “For every 100 children…60 would die before the age of two. So most moms didn’t name their kids until they were two.” – Peter (04:44)
• Suffered severe abuse from his father; witnessed his mother endure similar abuse, often on behalf of her children (04:31–07:22).
• At age 10, fled his home, taking a bus as far as possible to escape domestic violence. Became a street child in Kampala, Uganda, for six years (07:22).
  • “I’d rather die, but die in the hands of a stranger than my father.” – Peter (04:56)

Life on the Streets and Rescue

• On the streets, faced dehumanization and abuse: “As a street kid, you’re treated more like a stray animal…slept in the sewer because the smell kept people away.” – Peter (08:14)
• Survival hinged on stealing food, not money. A turning point came when a stranger showed him unexpected kindness instead of hostility, repeatedly feeding him and eventually offering the chance to attend boarding school (09:18–10:53).
  • “He saw a thief, but he didn’t treat me as a thief…No one had ever seen potential in me.” – Peter (12:02)
• The promise of regular meals drew Peter to try school. Teachers and his rescuer became important role models, empowering him through affirmation and care (12:44–15:51).

Educational Journey and Inspiration

• With ongoing support, Peter finished high school and university in Uganda, earned a scholarship to study in England, and ultimately came to the United States (16:01–16:17).
• Chose studies in international business and crisis management, aiming to help children and communities in crisis (18:04–18:48).
• Worked with international charities like Red Cross, Compassion International, and World Vision, motivated to offer the hope once given to him (18:54–19:52).

Becoming a Foster and Adoptive Parent

• Shocked by the contrast of food abundance and hunger in the US foster system (20:14–21:25).
• Inspired to volunteer as a mentor and later encouraged to become a foster parent despite believing, due to his background, that only married, white people could foster.
  • “I’m black and single. In my mind, I believed the lie that you had to be white and married.” – Peter (20:44)
• Completed foster parent training in Oklahoma, adjusted his home, and was licensed within six months (23:53–24:13).
• Fosters primarily boys, often siblings, to minimize trauma from separation (24:28–31:24).
• Has fostered over 43 children and adopted several, emphasizing the unpredictable and often sudden nature of foster placements (32:25).

The Foster Care Experience: Challenges and Nuances

• Many foster children come traumatized and terrified, regardless of previous abuse levels; attachment to biological parents remains strong (29:00).
  • “No child comes to us excited to be with us…they love their parents, no matter what.” – Peter (29:00)
• Foster parenting requires full care for the child: health, education, emotional trauma management, and providing normalcy (33:38–34:44).
• Managing attachment and behavioral issues:
  • Many children struggle with fear, food hoarding, or aggressive behavior due to past traumas (36:13).
  • Foster families must model and gently teach new norms, even when “normal” feels alien to the child (36:56).

Adoption from Foster Care

• Parental rights must be legally terminated for adoption to be possible (39:47).
• Preference given to biological relatives (“next of kin”) for permanency placements, even if this may not always be the emotionally best outcome for the child.
  • “The law says next of kin come first, so you can’t fight it.” – Peter (40:41)
• Court system criticized for long waits and insufficient consideration of children’s emotional bonds with foster parents (41:39–43:09).

Realities Behind the Scenes

• Financial support is provided to foster parents (49:23); children come with benefits like Medicaid and sometimes educational vouchers.
• Challenges include the emotional toll of forming attachments only to have children leave, and concern over cases of abuse within the foster system—Peter acknowledges that 40% of foster kids have suffered abuse in foster homes (59:30).
  • “40% of our foster kids are abused by foster families.” – Peter (59:37)
• Importance of being trauma-informed: Peter pursued additional education to become a more empathetic, understanding parent (60:04).

Personal Impact and Broader Lessons

• Fostering has been life-changing for both Peter and the children he’s parented; all his foster children remain in touch (58:00).
• The attachment foster parents fear (“I’ll get too attached and be hurt when the child leaves”) is evidence they are well-suited for the role; children need that depth of care and stability (55:17–55:50).
  • “People afraid of attachment are the ones who can be the best parents…what our kids need.” – Peter (55:50)
• Peter actively counters stigma around foster parenting, particularly for single men of color, inspiring others to consider fostering or helping foster families in small, meaningful ways (47:51–48:30, 66:58).

Current Life and Aspirations

• Continues to work with World Vision and runs the “Now I Am Known” non-profit, which does room makeovers and shares foster kids’ stories to give them dignity and recognition (64:51).
  • “Most kids in foster care have never had an opportunity to have a room where they say, ‘I want pink, I want yellow.’” – Peter (65:16)
• Writes books—including upcoming parenting and children's books based on his experiences (65:42).
• Stays connected with his family in Uganda thanks to technology (63:16). Has reconciled with his father, who acknowledged learning about fatherhood through Peter’s journey (64:03).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On poverty and survival:
  “For every 100 children born in my village, 60 would die before age two. Most moms didn’t name their kids until they were two.” – Peter (04:44)

• On fleeing abuse:
  “I’d rather die, but die in the hands of a stranger than my father.” – Peter (04:56)

• On the transformative power of kindness:
  “He saw a thief, but he didn’t treat me as a thief…No one had ever seen potential in me.” – Peter (12:02)
  “If you had an opportunity to go to school, would you love to go to school? And I laughed at him…when you’re a street kid, do you ever think of going to school?” – Peter (10:52)

• On being a foster dad:
  "I've fostered over 40 children. It's unbelievable." – Rachel (02:52)
  "I have always wanted to be a dad." – Peter (47:51)
  "Every state gives you funds...children come with Medicaid, schooling, dental care." – Peter (49:23)

• On foster children’s loyalty:
  “No one kid had ever said, ‘I wish we had a mom…’ because they never had a dad before.” – Peter (48:25)

• On the pain and value of attachment:
  “The people who are afraid of attachment are the ones that can be the best parents.” – Peter (55:50)

• On making a difference:
  “Sometimes people say those kids are lucky to have you. But I would say I am the lucky one to have them…it's helped me to heal and be a better human being.” – Peter (66:58)

Important Timestamps

• Peter’s background & leaving home: 04:31–07:22
• Life as a street child in Kampala: 08:14–09:18
• Rescue by a stranger & getting education: 09:18–15:51
• Coming to the US and getting involved in foster care: 18:54–21:25
• First foster placement and initial challenges: 29:49–31:14
• Adoption legalities and court system issues: 39:47–43:09
• Financial support for foster parents: 49:23–50:31
• Attachment and emotional risks: 55:17–56:21
• Systemic issues in foster care & abuse statistics: 58:22–60:23
• "Now I Am Known" initiative: 64:51–65:35
• Peter’s message to would-be foster parents: 66:58

Where to Follow Peter

• Instagram: @FosterDadFlipper
• YouTube & TikTok: Now I Am Known
• Website: nowiamknown.com

Summary Tone

The conversation is candid, compassionate, and deeply inspirational. Rachel Uchitel’s questions are direct yet empathetic, and Peter Mutabazi speaks with warmth, humility, and a hopeful resilience. Their dialogue humanizes the foster system, challenges stereotypes, and celebrates the capacity for individuals—regardless of their background—to profoundly change lives.

Final Takeaway

Peter’s journey is an extraordinary testament to the power of kindness and second chances. He not only changed his own story but now shapes the futures of vulnerable children, showing that everyone has a role to play—whether by becoming a foster parent, supporting those who are, or simply offering empathy to those around them.