About AFFCAD

Learn about us and why we’re striving to empower young Ugandans
to escape extreme poverty.

AFFCAD's Story

Action for Fundamental Change and Development (AFFCAD) is a youth-focused nonprofit organisation that aims to transform living conditions in Kampala’s poorest areas by empowering children, youth and young women through Education, Health, and Economic Empowerment Programs.

AFFCAD was founded by four friends—Richard, Jaffar, Brian and Meddy—who grew up in Bwaise (one of the largest and poorest slums in Kampala). As children, these four inspirational young men worked to pay for their own schooling. When they finished school, they chose to stay in Bwaise and wanted to transform their community through sustained development.

Why We Do What We Do

“Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
– Mitch Albom

Uganda is rapidly urbanising, with many youths coming to Kampala to escape extreme poverty.

85% settle in slums because of the very cheap housing.
Over 90,000 live without basic services like water, shelter and sanitation.
65% are aged between 15 and 25.

In addition, slum communities in Kampala have faced mass influxes of refugees from various countries. The Kisenyi slum, for example, is home to many Somalis. These young people are full of dreams and aspirations, yet the economy fails to provide them with jobs. The areas in which they settle are characterised by poor temporary housing, poor water supplies and sanitation, poverty, unemployment, high crime rates and drug abuse, among other adversities.

Such poor conditions—alongside weak law and order, grievances and marginalisation—can fuel conflict and despair, leaving fertile ground for recruitment into radical groups.

In response, AFFCAD has designed intervention programs that mitigate these problems for young people in these communities. Together with its partners, AFFCAD starts projects that help these youths transition from lives of crime, poverty and unemployment to economic empowerment, employment and good health.

Meet Our Board

Harriet G. Robinah

Chairperson

Harriet serves as a Program Quality, Learning and Impact Advisor at ActionAid Global Secretariat. She has been in development work for 19 years in Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America. She has worked as the Director Programmes at ActionAid. She is experienced in strengthening programme quality, deepening utilisation and impact from monitoring evaluation and learning processes, Country Strategy and ActionAid Global Strategy design, multidisciplinary team leadership to mention but a few. She holds a Masters Degree in Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University-Nkozi, A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Education from Makerere University as well as training in Programme Development for Professionals, Monitoring and Evaluation, Human Rights Based Approaches (HRBA), Partnership Management, Transformational Feminist Leadership, Participatory Vulnerability Assessment, Strategic Planning, Participatory Methodologies, Organizational Development, among others.

Emmanuel Kitamirike

Outgoing Chairperson

Emmanuel has over ten years of facilitation and consulting experience with expertise in designing and delivering capacity strengthening trainings for private, public, and non-state institutions. In the recent past, he has been engaged as a consultant/facilitator by the Uganda Communications Commission, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, ENABEL (formerly Belgium Technical Cooperation), Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery, Public Policy Institute, Terre des Hommes Netherlands, and Uganda Youth Network, among others. His areas of expertise include project planning and management; Strategic planning and development; Civic participation; Public Policy Analysis and Advocacy; Leadership and Management, among others. In 2018/2019, Emmanuel was engaged as a Senior Consultant for the Development of Human Resources Project implemented by ENABEL (formerly Belgium Technical Cooperation) under the Belgian-Uganda Bilateral cooperation. This project supported staff development in about 48 beneficiary organisations in three sectors (Health, Education and Environment), bridging knowledge and skills gaps in strategic/business planning and management, leadership and governance, public policy analysis and project design and delivery. Under this consultancy, Emmanuel worked with several institutions such as the National Teachers College Muni, Ministry of Water and Environment, St. Simon Technical and Vocational Training Institute, and Kyambogo University, among others.

Evelyn N. Kigwe

Vice Chairperson

Evelyn is a Lawyer who currently works with Sowali & Co. Advocates, law firm based in Uganda. She possesses legal, Policy Development and Public Policy Advocacy skills as well as advocacy, networking and partnership development.

Benedict K. Ssekijumba

Board Member

Benedict is a Personal Assistant to the Mayor of Kawempe Division, Kampala City. He has practical experience in engaging young People as well as community mobilisation.

Barbara C. Mwoyogwona

Board Member

Barbra is a Mathematics Teacher by profession with a Bachelor of Science with Education from Makerere University and a Diploma in Education – Secondary from Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo. She posses over ten years’ experience in the education sector.

Sam T. Ojulo

Board Member

Sam is a Certified Project Management Professional, pursuing a Ph.D. in Development Studies, holds an M.A in Organisational Leadership and Management and a BA in Social Sciences from Makerere University. He is Currently the Country Director for the Global/Multi country USAID funded ReLAB-HS activity in Uganda under the international Injury Research Unit of John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and has previously worked as the Deputy Chief of Party, Family Health International (FHI360) Kampala-Uganda, Regional Area Manager, Save The Children, Uganda Country Office, and with World Vision International in various positions. He possess over ten years’ experience in civil society work.

Robert Ssewakka

Board Member

Robert is a professional cosmetologist with vast experience in vocational training and author. He possess a degree in Cosmetology from London School of Beauty and Make up. He developed the Cosmetology curriculum at Kyambogo University and has also a book on Trichology. He is also an assessor for the Directorate of Industrial Training