Kigezi Women in Development

Kigezi Women in Development (KWID), formerly known as Kabale Women in Development, is a local non-government and non-partisan organization based in Kabale, Uganda. It was founded in 1996 by Tumuheirwe Florence, who was then the women council chairperson for Kyabuhangwa parish and a guide and interpreter for World Vision technical associates. KWID emerged from two development initiatives: the establishment of Women councils in Uganda and the World Vision Rukiga Area Development Programme. From 1996 to 2002, KWID operated as a women's group at the sub-county level. In 2003, it registered as a Community Based Organization operating in one county of Rukiga. In 2019, KWID scaled up to NGO status and rebranded to 'Kigezi Women in Development'. KWID has for over 25 years implemented community mobilization and empowerment projects aimed at building the capacity of communities to exercise their rights, participate in decision-making processes, and advocate for improved service delivery. The organization focuses on empowering women, girls, and other vulnerable persons. Its thematic areas include livelihood and community empowerment, education, health, gender and human rights, and institutional development. In 2013, KWID started a micro-finance initiative that has grown to cumulative savings of 15 million Uganda shillings. It has organized dialogue meetings on education rights to improve the capacity of schools and community structures in providing for children to access and complete education. KWID has contributed to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, with successes registered in Kabale and Rukiga Districts. It has also improved access to legal services for vulnerable children and women in partnership with FIDA Uganda. KWID maintains its core structure as a membership organization organized in branches according to parish administrative units within the Kigezi Sub-region. The branches are autonomous and implement localized interventions tailored to address socio-economic issues affecting their locality. The organization has a functional governance structure comprised of a General Assembly and a Board. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body, and the Board is elected every three years to provide strategic direction. KWID collaborates with regional, national, and international networks and organizations, including Girls not Brides, Kick Corruption out of Uganda, Women of Uganda Network, Gender-Based Violence Prevention Network, Netzkraft Movement, Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Association (DENIVA), and Gender Equality Data Collaborative (GEDC). KWID held its Silver Jubilee celebration on 24th September 2021 at Cephas Inn, Kabale, showcasing its achievements over 25 years.

Kigezi Women in Development (KWID) was founded in 1996 by Tumuheirwe Florence, who was then the women council chairperson for Kyabuhangwa parish and a guide and interpreter for World Vision technical associates. The organization emerged from two development initiatives: the establishment of Women councils in Uganda and the World Vision Rukiga Area Development Programme. Its founding purpose was to raise awareness on gender issues affecting the rural community. From 1996 to 2002, KWID operated as a women's group at the sub-county level. In 2003, it registered as a Community Based Organization operating in one county of Rukiga. In 2019, KWID scaled up to NGO status and rebranded to 'Kigezi Women in Development'. Over its 25-year history, KWID has implemented community mobilization and empowerment projects aimed at building the capacity of communities to exercise their rights, participate in decision-making processes, and advocate for improved service delivery. In 2013, KWID started a micro-finance initiative that has grown to cumulative savings of 15 million Uganda shillings. The organization has organized dialogue meetings on education rights to improve the capacity of schools and community structures in providing for children to access and complete education. It has contributed to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, with successes registered in Kabale and Rukiga Districts. KWID has also improved access to legal services for vulnerable children and women in partnership with FIDA Uganda. KWID maintains its core structure as a membership organization organized in branches according to parish administrative units within the Kigezi Sub-region. The branches are autonomous and implement localized interventions tailored to address socio-economic issues affecting their locality. The organization has a functional governance structure comprised of a General Assembly and a Board. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body, and the Board is elected every three years to provide strategic direction. KWID collaborates with regional, national, and international networks and organizations, including Girls not Brides, Kick Corruption out of Uganda, Women of Uganda Network, Gender-Based Violence Prevention Network, Netzkraft Movement, Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Association (DENIVA), and Gender Equality Data Collaborative (GEDC). On 24th September 2021, KWID held its Silver Jubilee celebration at Cephas Inn, Kabale, showcasing its achievements over 25 years.

• 2021

  Silver Jubilee celebration held on 24th September at Cephas Inn, Kabale.

• 2019

  Scaled up to NGO status and rebranded to 'Kigezi Women in Development'.

• 2013

  KWID micro-finance started.

• 2003

  Registered as a Community Based Organization operating in one county of Rukiga.

• 1996

  KWID founded by Tumuheirwe Florence; operates as a women's group at sub-county level.

A grassroots, membership-based women's rights and community empowerment organization in the Kigezi Sub-region of Uganda.

• KWID micro-finance

  Micro-finance initiative started in 2013, with cumulative savings of 15 million Uganda shillings.

• Education rights dialogue meetings

  Dialogue meetings to improve capacity of schools and community structures for children's education.

• HIV/AIDS response

  Contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kabale and Rukiga Districts.

• Legal aid access

  Access to legal services for vulnerable children and women in partnership with FIDA Uganda.

1. 1KWID – Kigezi Women in Developmentkwidug.org
2. 2About Us – KWIDkwidug.org
3. 3Our Team – KWIDkwidug.org
4. 4Our Partners – KWIDkwidug.org
5. 5Kigezi Women in Developmentwikidata.org
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