Mrs. Lydia Nyesigomwe is a holder of a Master’s degree in Business Administration from East and Southern Africa Management Institute, Kampala, Uganda (2011), a Masters ‘Degree in Early Childhood Development Studies from Victoria University, Canada (2007), and Bachelor’s Degree in Children and Youth Studies from King Alfred’s college, Southampton University, UK (1994).

Lydia joined Holt International Children’s services as their Country Director after a 16 year career as executive director of a local NGO in Uganda. There she offered her technical expertise in areas of Family strengthening, focusing on Family preservation best practices of Family reintegration, Reunification, Foster Care, Kinship Care, Local and Inter country adoption.

In addition to serving as a Country Director, she started an NGO called Parenting Uganda that promotes healthy families where Parenting is Quality, Purposeful and children are thriving. 
Apart from this, Lydia has consulted for local and International organizations including UNICEF, USAID, World Food program, Save the children, Family Health International and World Vision.

She has presented papers about her work at different forums including the UN Expert group meeting on Good practices in Family Policy Making, Family Health International, Washington DC, and United Generations for all generations. She contributes articles to the UNESCO educational journals and to the Bernard Vanleer foundation Early Childhood matters.

Mr. Joseph Walugembe is the Country director for Action on Disability and Development (ADD) International in Uganda. He was the development manager for Sense International (Uganda) from 2005-2010 and Advocacy Program Coordinator of the African Union of the blind from 2002-2004.

Joseph Walugembe holds a public office as member of the District Service Commission of Wakiso District.

He graduated with Master of Arts in Social Sector planning and Management of Makerere University. He is the Treasurer for the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network and chair of the programs committee for Sign health Uganda.

Having overcome the challenges of visual impairment, Joseph aspires to contribute towards making the world more equitable, sensitive and tolerant to diversity.

 Dr. Peter G. Mwesige is a recognized leader in the journalism and media sector in Uganda. He is a co-founder and executive director of the African Centre for Media Excellence, and has extensive experience in the newsroom and the journalism classroom.

He sits on the a dvisory boards of the International Journalism Fellowships of the International Centre for Journalists (Sub-Saharan Africa) and the international journal, African Journalism Studies. 
He was until July 2009 the Group Training Editor of the Nation Media Group, East Africa’s biggest multi-media company, where he was in charge of newsroom training at the company’s nearly dozen print and electronic media outlets in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

A holder of a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Indiana University, U.S.A., and a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo, Dr. Mwesige was until November 2007 the head of the Department of Journalism & Communication at Makerere University, Kampala, where he was also a senior lecturer.

He has published several articles in international academic journals and presented papers at numerous regional and international conferences.

Dr. Mwesige has previously worked as a reporter, news editor, political editor, and political columnist. He was until March 2006 the Executive Editor of the Nation Media Group’s Kampala-based Monitor Publications Ltd, publishers of the Daily and Sunday Monitor.

Dr. Mwesige has also worked as a consultant on journalism, communication, media and politics for DANIDA, DFID, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, NORAD, PANOS, Southern Africa Trust, Uganda Communications Commission, UNDP, UNESCO, USAID, Westminster Foundation, and the World Bank, among others.

Susan Ajok is the Executive Director of Straight Talk Foundation; a Ugandan communication for development not for profit organization. Straight Talk Foundation is one of the oldest and first young people focused civil society organizations in Uganda to recognize and act on the unique sexual and reproductive needs of young people in Uganda.

Ms Susan Ajok, has been with Straight Talk Foundation since 1998 and has served as the Executive Director since 2010. She has been at the forefront of several communication programs of Straight Talk Foundation. Her areas of expertise are HIV prevention, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender. She has held several senior management positions including serving as Straight Talk Foundation Director of Programs prior to being appointed Executive Director.

Ms Ajok received her BA in Political Science and Sociology from Makerere University; Uganda. She earned a Graduate Certificate in International Health and Master of Public Health Degree in Global Health from the University of Washington. She is a recipient of the 2008 Compton Fellowship on Population, Environment and Human Security. She is also a Population Leadership Fellow.

Mr Anslem Wandega has over seven years experience in the development field as a researcher, community development worker, development manager, child protection specialist and child rights advocate. He has coordinated the development and implementation of several initiatives addressing children’s vulnerability to all forms of abuse, including; neglect, exploitation and deprivation both in Ethiopia and Uganda.

He has also contributed to the enactment and implementation of several progressive child protection laws, programs and policies in the two countries, in addition to undertaking research in child rights related areas. He has published on child protection and education, and has also written and given commentary on various child rights issues in both local and international media.

Mr. Wandega holds a B.A in Social Sciences (1st Class) from Makerere University and Post Graduate Qualifications in Institutional Development; War, Intervention and Development; Capacities for Managing Development; Development Contexts and Practice and Environmental Decision Making from The Open University, UK and he is a candidate for an Msc. in Development Management. He has undergone specialized trainings in Monitoring and Documenting the Implementation of Human Rights Instruments, Policy Analysis and Advocacy and Finance Management for Non Finance Managers.

Ms. Judy Kamanyi is a human rights advocate with a focus on the social and economic rights of women and children. Judy is fervent about gender equality and equity and has interacted with movers and drivers of change in numerous regional and international fora where issues of human rights, women’s rights and sustainable development have been deliberated.

Currently she is working as a Social Development, Governance and Gender Equality Advisor and Consultant. She is active in civic service, volunteering her time, knowledge and expertise as a member of other Boards of Directors, including the African Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims; Action Aid Uganda; and Action Aid Malawi.

Judy Kamanyi has worked in the public, private and the NGO sector over a period of 35 years and has been engaged in development work at national, regional and global level for more than 17 years. She led one of the pioneer women development organizations in Uganda, Action for Development and also headed The East African Center for Constitutional Development (Kituo Cha Katiba), a regional organization working on issues of democratic development, good governance and human rights. She has been active in national women’s rights networks and organisations.

Judy is a Fulbright Fellow and graduated from the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego, California, USA with a Master of Arts in Peace & Justice Studies in 2003. In 2009 she became first recipient of the Author E. Hughes Career Achievement Award established by University of San Diego. She has also authored articles and papers on women’s rights and women empowerment.

Mr. Moses Matovu is the Executive Director of HuysLink Community Initiative. He brings over 10yrs of experience in working with Young People and doing community development work for the Network. 
In 2006 Moses spent 12 months on an International Exchange Programme under the Fredskorpset International Exchange Programme whereby he was placed & worked with The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) Johannesburg, South Africa. While at CSVR, he worked under the peace building Programme which had many of its projects covering the SADC Region countries.
Moses is also an experienced Community Development Worker and human rights activist who shares practical experience gleaned from several years of combating child abuse in the hard to reach communities and how the community mobilization methodologies and non-traditional tools have been put to use. Moses holds a Bachelors of Arts in Development Studies and Post Graduate Diploma in Operations Management.

Mr. Edward Iruura the Finance Director/Head of Finance is a Professional accountant with strong financial expertise and familiarity in management and accounting practices at a senior management level with proven experience in design, implementing and monitoring financial and administrative control systems. Iruura has supported and provided guidance, tools and promoted good financial performance and compliance with financial policies, processes and standards and promote sharing of best practice across the organizations.

He has over 10 years of continuous experience in both private and public sector and demonstrated these skills and competencies when working with ActionAid International Uganda, National Farmers Association a DANIDA funded project, Voluntary Overseas Co-operative Assistance, USAID, Team Business College Consultancy Division and Team & Co Certified Public Accountants, Celtel Uganda Ltd, American Refugee Committee International and Aga Khan Education Services.

I have got an understanding of International accounting, particularly charity accounting and accounting software (Excel/ SUN/Vision/TM1).
He has also lectured Auditing, Accountancy & Financial management papers at Team Business College.

Mr. Gabriel Oling Olang is a graduate of Bombay University in India. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics and a Masters Degree in Human Rights and Development.

He has worked and lived with displaced persons and vulnerable children in Northern Uganda. His first assignment was with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) where he was in charge of Acholi Refugee Camp of 23,000 Sudanese Refugees Displaced in Northern Uganda. In 2001, when there was relative peace, he worked with CARE International assisting the community in Northern Uganda in reintegration and income development. This was short-lived because conflict broke out in 2002 again. Oling Olang then joined Save the Children where he was in charge of the return and reintegration of formerly abducted children responsible for the child protection and education component.

Oling Olang is currently a Sub Programme Manager with Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

Ms. Stella Ayo-Odongo has worked in the Development field for over 10 years and has acquired considerable experience in the development practice. Stella has a good understanding of the development context at community, national, regional and international levels. She has had hands on experience as a Researcher, Community Development Worker, Trainer, Legislative and Policy Advocate, Networker, Development Manager and Consultant. 



Besides obtaining vast experience, Stella Ayo-Odongo has clear knowledge and understanding of the principles and approaches of good governance and participatory and rights-based approaches. In addition to the above, Stella has extensive management experience and has worked in senior management level with at least 5 years as the Executive Director of Uganda Child Rights NGO Network, a national network of child focused organizations in Uganda.

Stella has also served on the Boards/Management Committees of a number of national organizations and played a representational role. She has been actively involved in forming, managing and steering various coalitions at national level. She has been very instrumental in the formation of the Civil Society Organizations for Peace in Northern Uganda an advocacy coalition for a peaceful resolution to the 20 year conflict that has gone on in Uganda.

Mrs. Stella Ayo-Odongo holds a bachelors Degree in Social Sciences from Makerere University, a Diploma in Development Management of the Open University (U.K) has a Master of Science Degree in Development Management at the Open University (U.K). In addition she holds post-graduate certificates in; Capacities for Managing Development, Development Context and Practice, Environmental Decision Making, and Institutional Development from the Open University. She has also undertaken training programmes in NGO Management, and Financial Management for Non- Financial Managers.