About Us

About Us

We are addressing the plight of marginalized poor rural communities since 1992

Development Foundation for Rural Areas (DEFORA) is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) that started in 1992 as a Community-Based Organization and later registered as an NGO in 1994. The organization was founded by four committed rural philanthropic women and three men to address the plight of marginalized poor rural communities mostly women and children to help them improve their incomes. The issues of human rights violations, where women and children were abused and denied access to household incomes/ resources, lack of productivity, and conservation at community and household levels made them stay in dire poverty. There was not enough food and no household income to improve their livelihoods which made them stay in poverty and hence in a state of uncertainty. This situation called for intervention and therefore DEFORA was formed to address the plight of needy rural communities with an emphasis on women and children.

Geographical location

DEFORA operates in the area covering the districts of Kyenjojo, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa, Bunyangabu, Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Ntoroko districts; a part of the Rwenzori region in Western Uganda with its head office located in Kyenjojo district. The region derives its name from the Rwenzori Mountains which is the highest mountain in Uganda with its highest peak at 5,110m above sea level. Being a block mountain, it gives the area fascinating scenery characterized by the snow-capped mountain tops, the Western arm of East Africa’s Albertine Rift Valley, the rolling hills, and flatlands.

01

A healthy informed and self-sustaining community free from human rights violations.


02

To improve the livelihoods of rural communities for sustainable development in the Ruwenzori region through programs for economic empowerment, healthcare, nature conservation, and human rights advocacy.

03

  • To promote human rights-based approaches in the Rwenzori region

  • To promote interventions on HIV/AIDS awareness, care, and support to the affected and infected

  • To improve community income generation activities

  • To improve the sanitation and safe water supply

  • To develop practical skills among vulnerable children and the youth

  • To promote parent’s participation in children’s learning and increase food security at the school and household level

  • Reproductive work