I Decide
We educate young women and men for social cultural negative norm change to avoid for example early child marriage and early pregnancy.
I Earn A Living
We educate young women and men for better professional skills to make a living.
We are the Green Horizon
we envision many opportunities for economic growth and achieving sustainable development goals, especially ecological sustainability, improved livelihoods and ending hunger through the sustainable use of natural resources.
We Get Help
We Increase access to safe water and basic sanitation for the community with the help of donors and volunteers.
About Us
Community Development Shield Uganda is a youth-led and youth-focused organization committed to driving transformational and sustainable development. Its mission is to engage diverse development stakeholders in empowering youth and other vulnerable populations by integrating their voices and contributions in shaping their future.
The organization emphasizes the promotion of practical, skill-oriented training to help youth, women, and children thrive in a globalized, knowledge-driven economy. It was founded by a passionate group of young, committed graduates determined to give back to their communities, create meaningful social impact, and address the challenges faced by marginalized groups.
Community Development Shield Uganda aims to foster inclusion, participation, and empowerment of underprivileged and underserved youth and women, integrating them into the evolving development agenda. The organization also aligns its efforts with the global vision of achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the community level.
Our Mission
To contribute towards socio-economic transformation and enhance quality of life for all.
Our Vision
A transformed Community characterized by improved livelihoods, peace and justice.
Our Core Values
- Accountability and transparency
- Equity and Justice
- Commitment to excellence and professionalism
- Creativity & innovation
- Team work and Voluntarism
- Respect for Humanity and dignity
Our Strength
- Community based and good understanding of the necessaries of the people .all the staff are coming from within the locality
- We are the only sound indigenous community based organization in our sub county. Other NGOs ( most of the are foreign), have little local connections and do not have a base here
- Registered official NGO in Uganda (which is for local NGOs very difficult) and has a physical address
- CDS Uganda is no affiliate of an EU or US organization (all donated money goes directly to the CDS Uganda)
- Good connection to communities, police and other stakeholders like chief of the district etc
- We designed for all our programs very good educational tools
- Human centered design approach
- Have experience in running the programs and do the accounting and controlling
- Financial management is audited every year by external auditors
- Have experience to convince other organizations to give their money for funding
- Part of other network organization (part of network NGOs in Uganda) like Uganda National NGO Forum
- Well-designed organization with clearly described job description of each position in CDS Uganda
Our Programs
Our organization attains its goals through engaging in the following programs.
Our Partners
Current Projects
Community Development Shield Uganda is currently implementing a diverse range of impactful projects aimed at improving livelihoods, promoting health, empowering youth and women, and enhancing access to clean water and sustainable energy. These projects, supported by reputable international and local partners, focus on addressing urgent community needs while promoting long-term development and resilience. From climate adaptation training to water and sanitation infrastructure and ICT skills development, these ongoing initiatives reflect the organization's commitment to inclusive and sustainable community transformation.
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1. Cultural Survival ~
Neem-Based Natural Pesticide Project
Period: May 2024 - May 2025
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: Cultural Survival (Keepers of the Earth Fund)
Description: Trained 45 indigenous women and youth in developing neem leaf solutions as natural pesticides, promoting environmental management. Distributed 11,000 tree seedlings to 100 households in Abim District.
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2. Construction of 13
Protected Spring Wells
Period: 2024 - 2025
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: MTN Foundation Uganda (Changemakers Program)
Description: Constructed 7 protected spring wells in Kole District in 2024 and plans to construct 6 more in Lira District in 2025, totaling UGX 39,540,000. Trained 63 water user committee members in water source protection and hygiene practices.
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3. SRHR Themed Water
Point Outreach
Period: 2024 - 2025
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: U.S. Embassy under PEPFAR Uganda Community Grants
Description: Conducted weekly training for 340 young people on sexual reproductive health rights, including HIV prevention. Installed 18 signposts with HIV/AIDS information and distributed 30,120 SRHR flyers.
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4. Scholar for Social
Change
Period: 2024 - 2026
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: MasterCard Foundation via Crossroads International Canada
Description: Provides two-year fellowship opportunities for graduate alumni of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars program, focusing on young women aged 22-35, linked to their field of study and experience.
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5. Benevity Causes
Donation Support
Period: 2023 - Present
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: UK Online Giving Foundation via Benevity Causes
Description: Provides a platform for donations supporting initiatives to increase access to safe water and basic sanitation. Approximately UGX 1,500,000 has been donated to date.
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6. Civil Society in
Uganda Support Programme (CUSP)
Period: 2025 - October 2026
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: European Union & Federal Republic of Germany
Description: Aims to enhance financial planning, budgeting, and reporting to ensure sustainability and accountability of the organization.
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7. Gered Gereedschap
Tool
Support
Period: 2025 - 2026 (Estimated)
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: Gered Gereedschap
Description: Supports craftsmen and women by providing 10 treadle and 10 hand sewing machines to aid in skilling programs.
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8. I Decide Project
Phase
2
Period: 2022 - 2025
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland through Plan International
Description: Aims to increase access to sexual reproductive health rights information and services for children, adolescents, and youth in Kole South. Over UGX 366,256,214 has been committed to date.
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9. Tool with the
Mission
~ Tailoring Skilling for Girls
Period: 2024 - Present
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: Tool with the Mission
Description: Empowers girls from disadvantaged backgrounds through tailoring skills training, fostering self-reliance and inspiring others in the community. Five electronic sewing machines were donated in 2024 for skilling purposes.
Past Projects
Over the years, Community Development Shield Uganda has successfully implemented a wide array of projects targeting key development areas such as agriculture, youth skilling, gender equality, water access, and economic empowerment. These initiatives, many of which were supported by esteemed partners including the World Bank, Plan International, and the MasterCard Foundation, have positively impacted thousands of individuals across northern Uganda. Through strategic planning and community-based approaches, these past projects have laid a strong foundation for the organization's ongoing mission to foster community resilience and inclusive development.
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1. Training 34
Youth on the Production of Modern Passion Fruits
Period: 2017 - 2018
Status: Ended
Sponsor: World Bank through Government of Uganda via Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU)
Description: Trained 34 youth in modern passion fruit production to boost agricultural productivity and income. The project was funded under the Skills Development Facility-Window 2, with a grant of UGX 70,000,000.
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2. I Decide
Project Phase 1
Period: 2018 - 2021
Status: Ended
Sponsor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland through Plan International
Description: Aimed to protect adolescents aged 10-18 against child marriage and empower them regarding sexual reproductive health rights. Implemented in Kole District using the Champion of Change methodology, with a grant of UGX 186,667,235.
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3. Construction
of Protected Spring Well
Period: 2019
Status: Ended
Sponsor: The Pollination Project
Description: Constructed a hand-dug borehole in Canomonanino Village, Kole District, benefiting 500 community members with access to clean and safe water. The project cost was UGX 3,500,000.
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4. Increasing
Income and Creating Job Opportunities for Youth in Cassava Value Chain
Period: 2022 - 2024
Status: Ended
Sponsor: MasterCard Foundation through PSFU; Implemented by Windwood Millers
Description: Addressed youth unemployment in the Lango sub-region by distributing 1,200 bags of cassava cuttings and providing agronomy training. Part of the Young African Works program.
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5. Help Local
Communities Sustain Water Point Functionality
Period: 2023 - 2024
Status: Ended
Sponsor: Hilden Charitable Fund
Description: Trained 15 water user committees in Bala Sub County as hand pump mechanics and spring well masons to enhance the functionality and sustainability of water points. The grant was UGX 38,078,147.
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6. Construction
of 5 Protected Spring Wells
Period: 2022 - 2023
Status: Ended
Sponsor: U.S. Mission in Uganda (Ambassador Self Help Program)
Description: Constructed five protected spring wells in Omoladyang Parish to increase access to safe water and basic sanitation. The project received a grant of UGX 10,280,000.
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7. ICT for Rural
Youth
Period: 2022 - Ongoing
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: Labdoo (Germany) - In-kind laptop donationsp
Description: Bridging the digital divide by providing laptops, internet access, and ICT training to vulnerable youth, facilitating their transition to a knowledge-based economy.
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8. African
Germany Youth Office ~ Team Works
Period: 2022 - 2023
Status: Ended
Sponsor: African Germany Youth Office (AGYO) in cooperation with Senior Expert Service (SES)
Description: Facilitated networking workshops in Rwanda and Ghana for staff to share experiences in implementing UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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9. Clean Energy
Distribution Enterprise
Period: 2022 - Ongoing
Status: Ongoing
Sponsor: ENVenture
Description: Established a clean energy distribution enterprise to promote access to affordable, clean energy products in rural and peri-urban areas, aiming to curb energy poverty.
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10. Senior Expert
Strategic Plan Support
Period: 2022
Status: Ended
Sponsor: Senior Expert Service (Germany)
Description: Assisted in developing a five-year strategic plan for the organization, with a follow-up assignment anticipated.
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11. Training 50
Women on Charcoal Briquette and Hairdressing
Period: 2022 - 2024
Status: Ended
Sponsor: All the Sky Foundation through Eventure Enterprises
Description: Trained women in charcoal briquette production and hairdressing, providing employment opportunities and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The grant was UGX 7,000,000.
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12. Training 60
Youth in Water Point Repair
Period: 2024 - March 2025
Status: Ended
Sponsor: Sustain for Life
Description: Trained 60 youth as borehole technicians to enhance the functionality and sustainability of water points, integrating Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) concepts. The project committed UGX 41,110,724.
Our Team
Ogole Oscar
Executive Director
Odongo Daniel
Accounts Assistant
Acheles Amuhogwe
Program Officer
Achola Oliver
Project officer
Elyak Badru Issa
Project Officer
Douglas Otoo
M&E Officer
Atine Lamzie Kalifa
Champion of Change Facilitator
Adongo Siddy
Champion of Change Facilitator
Adango Jennifer
Champion of Change FacilitatorTestimonials
What they are saying about us
I was saving and digging gardens to earn living though very young and an orphan. Am now 22 years old and an orphan who lost a father at a young age living with my mother plus 2 sisters and 3 brothers, and am the elder girl. Being among your fellow adolescents open your eyes to see beyond your current condition. Thank you so much CDS Uganda for your efforts in making my life better.
Adongo Delis
Beneficiary
My name is Mercy, I am 16 years old and I come from a family of 8 children, before I joined the project, I was staying at home with my elder sister who supports someone in his business. I wanted to learn hands on skills but there was no money to pay for training. Am so grateful for the skills I have attained from CDS Uganda because now I can cater for my well-being.
Akello Mercy
Beneficiary
The reasons why I became involved in the project was for me to be able to interact with other people other than just the family members. I have participated in the trainings, co-curricular activities, giving support to the members and nonmembers inform of giving advice to them. Learning to embrace new nothings opens ways and avenues for one to learn and express his or herself better.
Aketch Kevine
Advisor
Self-esteem to speak up about matters arising in the society, creating good relationship with others in the community, knowledge in conflict resolution, sexual and reproductive rights and the ability to interact with others in the community motivated me to join the project.
Ongu Ambrose Oscar
Member
I am trained in sanitary pads making and tailoring through this organization's programs, initially I was involving in farming and household chores that I concentrated in most of the time although I had always admired to have the skill of making clothes and having my own machine and enough skills.
Ayo Fiona
Beneficiary
I was saving and digging gardens to earn living though very young and an orphan. Am now 22 years old and an orphan who lost a father at a young age living with my mother plus 2 sisters and 3 brothers, and am the elder girl. Being among your fellow adolescents open your eyes to see beyond your current condition. Thank you so much CDS Uganda for your efforts in making my life better.
Adongo Delis
Beneficiary
My name is Mercy, I am 16 years old and I come from a family of 8 children, before I joined the project, I was staying at home with my elder sister who supports someone in his business. I wanted to learn hands on skills but there was no money to pay for training. Am so grateful for the skills I have attained from CDS Uganda because now I can cater for my well-being.
Akello Mercy
Beneficiary
The reasons why I became involved in the project was for me to be able to interact with other people other than just the family members. I have participated in the trainings, co-curricular activities, giving support to the members and nonmembers inform of giving advice to them. Learning to embrace new nothings opens ways and avenues for one to learn and express his or herself better.
Aketch Kevine
Advisor
Self-esteem to speak up about matters arising in the society, creating good relationship with others in the community, knowledge in conflict resolution, sexual and reproductive rights and the ability to interact with others in the community motivated me to join the project.
Ongu Ambrose Oscar
Member
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Community Development Shield Uganda?
Community Development Shield Uganda is youth led and youth focused non-governmental organization aimed at promoting socio-economic transformation and enhance quality of life for the people in Kole district in Uganda by educating young people in life skills and professional skills.
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Where is Community Development Shield Uganda located?
Our main office is located at Te Cambia Main, Western Ward A, Bala Town Council, Kole South County, Kole District, Northern-Uganda.
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What are our programs?
Community Development Shield Uganda has four programs that are focused towards achieving its goals;
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Who are our target beneficiaries?
When selecting our beneficiaries, we mainly consider children, adolescents and youth.
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When was Community Development Shield Uganda established?
Community Development Shield Uganda was originally established in 2013 as Bala Youth Forum.
Its formation was out of deep aspiration by a group of young, committed, active citizens and passionate graduate youth to give back to the community, create a social positive impact and do an action at home by responding to the plights of the most vulnerable groups of people.
Contact Us
Location:
Western Ward B, Bala Town Council
Kole District, Northern Uganda