Our Governance & Leadership

Board of Directors

AWYAD’s Board of Directors is a diverse and highly skilled team comprising seven members, with a significant representation of women and youth, making up 71% women and 29% youth.

The board is led by a Chair who is an expert in institutional leadership, gender, women’s rights, and women’s empowerment. Her expertise is instrumental in steering AWYAD on a right leadership course and guiding AWYAD’s strategic focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The Chair’s deep understanding of these critical areas ensures that the organization remains aligned with its mission to advocate for the rights of women and girls, influencing both policy and practice within and outside the organization.

The Vice Chair brings a wealth of knowledge in education and overall program development. Her expertise drives the organizations program development strategy and strategic partnership development.

The board’s financial oversight is managed by the Treasurer, who is not only a Certified Public Accountant but also an experienced auditor and finance advisor, ensuring robust financial governance.

The General Secretary, an expert in human rights especially youth rights and also an expert in international development brings invaluable insights into rights advocacy, a key focus area for AWYAD.

The board’s programmatic quality is overseen by a specialist in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and program quality, ensuring that AWYAD’s interventions are effective and impactful.

Legal and governance matters are expertly handled by a board member who chairs the Leadership and Governance sub-committee, providing crucial legal and governance expertise.

Lastly, the board’s approach to health, sexual and reproductive health, and youth affairs is guided by another expert, ensuring that AWYAD’s initiatives in these areas are both comprehensive and effective.

AWYAD’s Founding Executive Director – the Late Ritah Nansereko

The Late Ritah Nansereko, AWYAD’s founding Executive Director, left an indelible mark on the organization through her visionary leadership and relentless dedication. From the very beginning, Ritah’s impact on AWYAD was profound and far-reaching. Her journey with AWYAD began with a significant milestone—transitioning the organization from a Community-Based Organization (CBO) to a National Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Despite the challenges of navigating government bureaucracy, Ritah persevered and successfully registered AWYAD as an NGO in 2016, laying the foundation for its future growth and impact.

Ritah’s leadership was characterized by her strategic foresight and ability to build strong organizational structures. One of her most notable contributions was the development of robust systems and policies that ensured the efficient and effective operation of AWYAD. Her commitment to institutionalizing best practices allowed the organization to run smoothly and sustainably, providing a solid framework that continues to support its operations today.

Under Ritah’s stewardship, AWYAD experienced remarkable financial growth. When she began, the organization operated on a modest budget of ten thousand US dollars per year. Through her skillful management and tireless fundraising efforts, Ritah increased AWYAD’s financial resources to an impressive half a million dollars per year. This significant increase in funding enabled the organization to expand its programs and reach more beneficiaries across Uganda.

Ritah’s charisma and advocacy skills were instrumental in putting AWYAD on both the national and international stage. She successfully positioned the organization in key global and national forums, such as the Charter for Change, the Grand Bargain, and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (ISCA). Her influence in these spaces brought AWYAD to the forefront of important discussions on women’s rights and humanitarian issues, ensuring that the organization’s voice was heard and respected. Additionally, Ritah strengthened AWYAD’s relationships with critical government entities, including the Ministry of Gender, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Office of the Prime Minister, particularly the department for refugees.

Ritah was also a master at forging enduring partnerships and friendships for AWYAD. The relationships she built with various stakeholders and partners have continued to benefit the organization long after her departure. These partnerships have been crucial to AWYAD’s continued success and sustainability, providing the support and collaboration needed to advance its mission.

Another testament to Ritah’s leadership was her ability to expand AWYAD’s programmatic and geographical reach. She successfully grew the organization’s operations from just two districts to twelve districts across all regions of Uganda, significantly increasing its impact on the ground. Her efforts ensured that AWYAD could serve more communities and address a broader range of issues affecting women and youth.

Finally, Ritah’s visionary leadership gave AWYAD its identity as a women-led and women’s rights organization. She was instrumental in branding the organization and ensuring that its mission and values were clearly communicated and recognized. Through her work, AWYAD became synonymous with the fight for women’s rights and gender equality in Uganda and beyond.

Ritah Nansereko’s legacy at AWYAD is one of resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women and youth. Her contributions laid a strong foundation for the organization’s future, and her influence continues to be felt in every aspect of AWYAD’s work.

AWYAD’s current management team

AWYAD is led by a highly skilled and experienced management team, supported by a dynamic and committed staff. The collective expertise and qualifications within the organization underscore its capacity to deliver impactful programs that empower women, youth, and children across Uganda. The current Executive Director of AWYAD is a seasoned pro-feminist and women’s rights advocate with 18 years of extensive experience in program management and organizational development. His multifaceted expertise spans health and nutrition, gender and women empowerment, organizational management, and leadership. The ED’s leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to advancing gender equality and driving organizational excellence, ensuring that AWYAD remains at the forefront of advocacy and service delivery for women and marginalized communities in Uganda.

The Head of Programs at AWYAD brings a robust portfolio of qualifications and experience that are critical to the organization’s success. With expertise in project management, public health, GBV (Gender-Based Violence) management, psychology, and women’s rights, the Head of Programs is instrumental in designing, implementing, and monitoring programs that address the multifaceted challenges faced by women, youth, and children. Her deep understanding of the intersectional issues within these domains ensures that AWYAD’s programs are both holistic and effective in meeting the needs of the communities served.

AWYAD’s Head of Finance and Administration is an experienced financial expert, certified public accountant, and risk management specialist. Her role is critical in ensuring the financial sustainability and integrity of the organization. She oversees financial planning, budgeting, and risk management, ensuring that AWYAD’s resources are effectively utilized to maximize impact. Her expertise guarantees that the organization remains accountable to its donors and stakeholders, maintaining the highest standards of financial management.

AWYAD’s programs are further strengthened by a team of thematic coordinators and specialists who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in following respective fields:

AWYAD has 3 Gender Specialists who lead AWYAD’s gender programs, with a focus on promoting gender equality and addressing gender-based discrimination. Their expertise ensures that all of AWYAD’s initiatives are gender-sensitive and that they contribute to the empowerment of women and girls.

AWYAD has 10 GBV and Child Protection Specialists with qualifications in Social Sciences, Social Work, Human Rights and Law with additional expertise in GBV and child protection case management. These specialists design and implement programs that safeguard the rights and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, ensuring that they are protected from violence, exploitation, and abuse.

AWYAD has 6 Education and ECD Specialists who oversees AWYAD’s education programs, including early childhood education and vocational training. Their expertise in educational development ensures that AWYAD provides high-quality learning opportunities that are accessible and equitable, particularly for marginalized communities.

AWYAD also has 8 Livelihoods Empowerment Specialists who focus on designing and implementing economic empowerment initiatives, supporting women and youth in gaining the skills and resources needed for sustainable livelihoods. Their work is critical in promoting financial independence and resilience among AWYAD’s beneficiaries.

AWYAD also has 4 Food Security and Nutrition Specialists who design AWYAD’s food and and nutrition security programs that address the critical issues of food security and nutrition, particularly for women and children. Their expertise is vital in designing interventions that promote access to nutritious food and improve overall health outcomes.

AWYAD also has 2 Environment Specialists who lead AWYAD’s environmental programs, focusing on sustainability and conservation efforts. Their work is key in promoting environmentally responsible practices within communities, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable development.

AWYAD has 6 Community Psychology Specialists who provide psychological support and services to communities, with a focus on mental health and psychosocial well-being. Their expertise is crucial in addressing the psychological impacts of trauma and violence, ensuring that individuals receive the care and support they need.

AWYAD also has 3 Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Specialists who manage AWYAD’s SRH programs, ensuring that women and youth have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. Their work is essential in promoting reproductive rights and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

AWYAD has an Advocacy Specialists who drives AWYAD’s advocacy efforts, with a focus on policy influence and community mobilization. Their expertise in advocacy and policy engagement ensures that AWYAD’s voice is heard in key decision-making spaces, both nationally and internationally.