About Us
VOHARO Uganda was founded with a profound vision of creating a violence-free community where everyone's rights are respected and protected—a place where individuals thrive without fear. Its mission focuses on empowering communities by providing care, support, and protection and fostering awareness, advocacy, and skills development. VOHARO aims to promote inclusivity, equality, and active participation across all levels of society.
Guided by its core values of non-discrimination, transparency, accountability, and active participation, VOHARO Uganda strives to address critical societal challenges such as gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, climate change adaptation, food security, and education. Through targeted programs, it empowers communities with knowledge, tools, and resources to foster sustainable development, human rights advocacy, and social harmony.
In essence, VOHARO Uganda was established to build a brighter, safer, and more inclusive future for vulnerable individuals and communities, driving transformation at the grassroots level.
Mission
To empower Communities by providing protection, care, and support, fostering advocacy, awareness, and skills development while promoting active participation and equality across all levels of society.
Vision
A violence-free community where everyone's rights are respected and protected.
Core Values
- Active participation
- Non-discrimination
- Transparency
- Accountability.
Our Aims
- To create a violence-free community where all individuals live with dignity, free from fear and discrimination.
- To promote inclusivity, equality, and respect for the rights of every individual within the community.
- To empower communities with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to actively participate in fostering safety and social harmony.
- To enhance advocacy, awareness, and education on issues of human rights and social justice at all levels of society.
- To build systems and networks that ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within communities.
Our Objectives
General Objectives
- Advocate for human rights, good governance, and improved quality of life through collaboration, networking, and partnerships.
- Engage in charitable, educational, and developmental initiatives to promote the welfare and holistic development of children and communities.
- To carry out all or any other activities that can lead to the achievement of the goal and objectives of the company, either alone or in conjunction with any other charitable organization, institution, society or body with which this company is authorized to join.
Objectives by Thematic Areas
1. Livelihoods and Food Security
- Increase agricultural production and productivity through the provision of inputs, training on agronomic practices, animal husbandry, and agribusiness.
- Enhance linkages between farmers and agricultural extension service providers, agro-input dealers, and technical assistance providers.
- Improve post-harvest handling, packaging, and marketing skills to increase the value of produce.
- Diversify economic opportunities for households and individuals through non-agricultural skills training, entrepreneurship, and access to savings and financial services.
- Establish and revitalize Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to enhance financial opportunities.
- Pilot animal and poultry technologies for economic empowerment and food security.
- Establish farmers' field learning plots and family learning gardens to promote early learning in agriculture.
- Increase the marketable surplus of staple foods sold through farmers' associations and cooperatives by establishing produce stores and self-help groups.
2. Advocacy and Protection
- Strengthen capacity of GBV actors to provide psychosocial, security, and legal services to survivors.
- Raise awareness and educate communities on GBV prevention and response, engaging men, women, boys, and girls in attitude change initiatives.
- Advocate for stronger policies and partnerships with judiciary, police, and local stakeholders to address GBV.
- Support survivors of GBV through reintegration programs and forums for open dialogue.
3. Child Protection
- Protect and promote the rights of children through advocacy and community mobilization.
- Prevent early pregnancies and child marriages while promoting girl child education.
- Train caregivers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) to enhance their ability to support holistic child development.
- Establish awareness campaigns using radio and community structures to strengthen child protection initiatives.
- Build capacity of local councils, cultural leaders, and Child Protection Committees (CPCs) for sustainable child safeguarding.
4. Climate Change Adaptation and Natural Resource Management
- Promote climate resilience and smart agriculture practices in communities.
- Raise awareness and educate households on environmental management and biodiversity conservation.
- Establish woodlots, nursery beds, and greening initiatives for sustainable natural resource use.
- Enhance community capacity to adapt to climate change through targeted training and awareness programs.
5. Education
- Establish Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers for rural children living in difficult conditions.
- Set up community-based education centers for primary, secondary, and vocational training to reduce child labor and empower youth.
- Promote inclusive education for children with disabilities through capacity-building, provision of assistive devices, and engagement with local leaders.
- Provide mentorship programs focusing on leadership, talent development, and life skills for children.
- Facilitate access to education by providing scholastic materials and ensuring school retention for disadvantaged children.
Our Programs (Strategic Directions)
This Strategic Plan 2023 - 2028 proposes five broad strands of the Organization's Strategic Direction in
the next five years, namely; Institutional and Organizational Development, Livelihood and Economic
Empowerment, Educational Support, Health and Human Rights Advocacy.
This is aimed at building a more
resource and endowed with appropriate systems to be able to develop and sustain programs and service
delivery. The strategic direction are further aimed at enhancing co-ordination and synergies between and
among VOHARO Uganda departments.
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1. Institutional and
Organizational Development
Strategic Objective 1: Develop and diversify resources available to VOHARO Uganda for sustainable delivery of service.
Interventions
Expand options and opportunities for generating resources targeting Government, donors, corporate bodies and communities for support
Increase access to resources through grant making and management
Enhance capacity building of staff, management and governance in resource mobilization and management including proposal development, granting and IGAs
Expand resource base by strengthening and exploiting Asset and having permanent VOHARO Uganda office block constructed and other development project.
Strategic Objective 2: Enhance and strengthen organizational development of VOHARO Uganda to plan and implement programs and projects.
Interventions
Assess and revisit existing VOHARO UGANDA policies, procedures, rules and programs for improved performance.
Strategic Objective 3: Strengthen VOHARO UGANDA managerial systems and procedures for organization and administration of the Organization.
Interventions
Review and strengthen the managerial functions/systems (planning, organizing, directing, and controlling) for effective attainment of our goals
Enhance audit function at headquarters of VOHARO Uganda
Enhance human resource management, development and appraisal and reward systems at all levels of the Organization to sustain a highly motivated staff.
Strategic Objective 4: Strengthen communication and sharing of information for enhancing synergized organizational processes within VOHARO UGANDA and for external visibility and accountability.
Interventions
Support documentation, publication, and communication of VOHARO UGANDA principles, core values, Objectives and activities
Enhance communication for increased interaction between management and employees on all matters concerning policy, plans, conditions of service, health and welfare
Improve networking systems with other development partners to make use of existing expertise within and outside the Organization.
Strategic Objective 5: Strengthen organizational capacity in M&E and reporting for effective service delivery.
Interventions
Build the capacity of headquarters in information and communication technology for M&E
Enhance and maintain an effective management information system to facilitate programming at all levels
Strengthen and utilize an effective M&E framework for all programs at the headquarter in a regular and timely manner
Streamline reporting mechanisms to funding partners both internal and external to enhance accountability and transparency.
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2. Livelihood and
Economic Empowerment
Strategic Objective 1: To enhance economic empowerment and livelihoods of women and young people in Lango sub-region.
Interventions
Promote good practices in design and implementation of income generation activities for various beneficiaries
Support income generating programs for the affected families and communities households including PWD, Elderly and OVC and women.
Strategic Objective 2: To increase entrepreneurial skills of young adults, both women and men.
Interventions
To provide life-skills and vocational training to vulnerable women and girls in the Lango sub-region.
Tailoring and garment cutting
Welding and metal fabrication
Block laying and concrete practice (BCP)
Carpentry and joinery (woodworks)
Hairdressing and salon operation
Provide trainings in financial literacy, VSLA principles and methodologies in their groups
Provide other soft skills training like, soap making, baking or bread making and other cosmetics making skills.
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3. Education
Strategic Objective 1: To promote and support sustained formal and informal education.
Interventions
Ensure provision of non-tuition costs and essential requirements to OVC in formal education
Ensure that all youth access life skills trainings
Facilitate increased access to vocational education and apprentice opportunities
Provide sponsorship to children and youth from poor economic background.
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4. Health
Strategic Objective 1: Improve the health status of vulnerable and affected communities by reducing morbidity and mortality arising from common diseases and health emergencies.
Interventions
Mitigation of the spread of HIV /AIDS and TB through prevention, access to treatment, care and support of infected and affected persons
Increase social mobilization and access to health services to reduce mortality from malaria, immunisable diseases and other common diseases
Improve access to safe and adequate water and improved sanitation at household and community levels in targeted areas
Improve access and increase awareness to reproductive health services
To develop and implement projects aimed at mobilizing, sensitizing and giving essential primary health services to cancer patients.
Strengthen VOHARO UGANDA involvement in curative services in areas of clinical needs.
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5. Human Rights
Advocacy
Strategic Objective 1: To ensure legal and appropriate social and community safety nets for children, OVCs and other vulnerable persons.
Interventions
Increase in number of legal framework and processes that protect children's, women's rights and disabilities rights for properties and inheritance
Identify gaps and develop appropriate polices and laws to protect and promote the rights of PHAs, OVCs, caretakers and other households
Empowered women and the youth socially after they acquired self-awareness skills i.e. self-esteem, self-confidence, assertiveness and coping skills
To lobby and advocate for the wellbeing and better livelihood of youths, women and vulnerable children
For affirmative action for OVCs, girl children, PWD and other disadvantaged groups to improve their access to informal education, vocational opportunities and life skills development.
Support Us
Help us in empowering the needy and vulnerable children with skills to identify, explore and utilize their full potential for their social, economic and spiritual development in a sustainable way.
Recent Projects
Our most recent projects are highlighted below, showcasing our continued commitment to community transformation.
1. Enhancing Economic Resilience for Youth and Young Women through Vocational Skills, Enterprise Development, and Digital Inclusion in Lira City
Project Summary
- Project : Enhancing Economic Resilience for Youth and Young Women through Vocational Skills, Enterprise Development, and Digital Inclusion in Lira City
- Donor: Children's Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF)
- Start time: 2024
- End time: 2028
- Status: Ongoing
Enhancing Economic Resilience for Youth and Young Women through Vocational Skills, Enterprise Development, and Digital Inclusion in Lira City is a transformative four-year initiative (2024 - 2028) supported by the Children's Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF). It targets 4,000 vulnerable youth aged 18 - 35, with 70% young women and 30% young men, including school dropouts, youth with disabilities, teenage mothers, and caregivers. Participants will be identified in collaboration with local leaders and verified by project staff to ensure accuracy and inclusivity.
The project responds to pervasive challenges of unemployment, exploitation, and limited economic opportunity, particularly among young women in Lira City. Many lack access to formal education and safe livelihoods. With support from CRVPF, this effort aims to restore dignity and create sustainable economic pathways for the most vulnerable.
Through market-aligned vocational training, enterprise development, and access to financial tools via
digital Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), youth will gain practical skills, generate income,
and build long-term financial resilience. The initiative also includes mentorship and digital empowerment
to strengthen adaptability in a changing economy.
Meanwhile, VOHARO Uganda and its partner
organisation, New Life Assemblies of God, will receive tailored institutional support to enhance delivery
systems and drive scalable impact.
The overarching goal is to improve the economic livelihoods of 4,000 youth in Lira City, enabling at least 2,500 to transition into dignified and fulfilling employment. Throughout the program, key outcomes will include increased employment access, financial inclusion for 900 youth through 30 digitised VSLAs, and enhanced institutional capacity across the implementing partners.
2. Youth and Women Empowerment Project
Project Summary
- Project : Youth and Women Empowerment Project
- Donor: VOICE
- Start time: 2023
- End time: 2024
- Status: Ended
The "Youth and Women Empowerment Project" was implemented by VOHARO Uganda, with the support of "VOICE" in Uganda. The project aimed to empower and reduce the vulnerabilities of youth and women living in city slums. It was designed to address the high levels of ignorance and low capacity of communities, stakeholders, and duty-bearers to mobilize youth and women to handle sensitive matters. The project also aimed to address the low household income which has resulted in high vulnerability in their roles and responsibilities in handling abuse and exploitation.
Project Objectives:
The major objectives that would help address the above youth and women's needs and project goals were:
- To improve the economic well-being of youth and women for self-reliance through the provision of on-the-job vocational skills training.
- To create awareness of rights, roles, and responsibilities and reduction of abuse, violation, and exploitation.
- To improve social cohesion and decision-making in respect to the reduction of violation, abuse, and exploitation.
- To engage the community in advocacy and networking at all levels to create an enabling environment for youth and women. Stakeholders and duty bearers in the reduction of abuse, violation and exploitation of youth and women in the target area leading to reduced women and youth ignorance.
Project Outcomes:
The project had three fundamental outcomes, which were to address the youth and women's problems/needs identified. These outcomes included, but were not limited to:
- Improved socio-economic livelihoods for youth and women in the selected areas of Lira city.
- Increased awareness of rights, roles, and responsibilities of youth and women in the promotion of human rights.
- Reduced violation and exploitation of youth and women.
3. Sustainable Skills for Adolescent Girls and Child Mothers
Project Summary
- Project Name: Sustainable Skills for Adolescent Girls and Child Mothers in Lira City Slums
- Donor: CRVPF
- Start time: 2020
- End time: 2022
- Status: Ended
VOHARO Uganda has implemented a two-year project (2020-2022) aimed at improving the sustainable livelihood of adolescent girls and young mothers living in the slums of Lira City.
Project Objectives:
- To increase awareness about the rights of girl children and young women in the target communities and to protect these rights.
- To improve the incomes of households led by adolescent girls and young women, thereby promoting economic sustainability.
- To promote a saving culture among adolescent girls living in the slums of Lira City.
Project Outcomes:
- Increased awareness about and protection of the rights of girl children and young women in the target communities.
- Improved incomes of households led by adolescent girls and young women, promoting economic sustainability.
- A better saving culture among adolescent girls living in the slums of Lira City.
Our Partners
VOHARO Uganda collaborates with several partners to carry out its activities, including the Children's Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF), VOICE Uganda, and ENVenture amongst other partners.
Testimonials
Hear directly from our beneficiaries about the impact VOHARO Uganda has had on their lives.
Before I was admitted by VOHARO Uganda, it was always a big challenge for me to take care of myself and my siblings. Now am self reliant because of the skills I have attained from the organization's tailoring training sessions.
Adongo Doreen
Tailoring Student
I have always been worried about what to do wiyh my life, thanks to VOHARO Uganda for having equiped me with tailoring skills that I use to make money and take care of myself. The Organization has really given me a purposeful life.
Acen Linda
Tailoring Student
I want to thank God for his grace and Blessings upon me, I also want to thank the Director VOHARO Uganda for reaching out to us and training us. My life has really improved and nowdays am smart.
Auma Jennet
Tailoring Student
I got pregnant during the lockdown and the man responsible abandoned me, VOHARO Uganda reached out to our community and I was admitted. Right now am able to take care of my child because of the skills I've acquired from this organization.
Achola Mirriam
Child Mother
VOHARO Uganda has equiped me with new skills like tailoring and cloth cutting among others, this has not only grately improved my standards of living but I can sew any cloth with the latest fashion on market as well.
Akullu Filomena
Tailoring Student
Before I was admitted by VOHARO Uganda, it was always a big challenge for me to take care of myself and my siblings. Now am self reliant because of the skills I have attained from the organization's tailoring training sessions.
Adongo Doreen
Tailoring Student
I have always been worried about what to do wiyh my life, thanks to VOHARO Uganda for having equiped me with tailoring skills that I use to make money and take care of myself. The Organization has really given me a purposeful life.
Acen Linda
Tailoring Student
I want to thank God for his grace and Blessings upon me, I also want to thank the Director VOHARO Uganda for reaching out to us and training us. My life has really improved and nowdays am smart.
Auma Jennet
Tailoring Student
I got pregnant during the lockdown and the man responsible abandoned me, VOHARO Uganda reached out to our community and I was admitted. Right now am able to take care of my child because of the skills I've acquired from this organization.
Achola Mirriam
Child Mother
VOHARO Uganda has equiped me with new skills like tailoring and cloth cutting among others, this has not only grately improved my standards of living but I can sew any cloth with the latest fashion on market as well.
Akullu Filomena
Tailoring Student
Before I was admitted by VOHARO Uganda, it was always a big challenge for me to take care of myself and my siblings. Now am self reliant because of the skills I have attained from the organization's tailoring training sessions.
Adongo Doreen
Tailoring Student
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is VOHARO Uganda?
VOHARO Uganda is non-government organization engaged in empowering poor and vulnerable communities with livelihood skills, Provision of educational support to children and youth from poor economic background and advocating for and protecting the rights of children, youth and women against all forms of violence amongst other activities.
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What does VOHARO mean?
VOHARO stands for "Voice Of Hope And Restoration Outreach."
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Where is VOHARO Uganda located?
Our main office is located at Blue Corner North, Blue Corner Ward, Lira City West Division,
Lira City, Northern Uganda. -
Who are our target beneficiaries?
When selecting our beneficiaries, we mainly consider children, youth, women and persons with disabilities.
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Where does VOHARO Uganda operate?
VOHARO Uganda carries out most of its key activities in Northern Uganda specifically in Lira City and neighboring districts like Kole District, Alebtong District among others.
Our Team
Our passionate team is the driving force behind every project and every impact we make.
Board of Directors
VOHARO Uganda is governed by a Board of Directors, who are highly experienced and qualified professionals in the fields of development, humanitarian work, leadership, and governance. The Board is responsible for overseeing the general operations of the organization, ensuring compliance with laws, rules, and regulations, and monitoring the implementation of policies, rules, and procedures.
The Board exercises its governance, administrative, and management control by conducting quarterly and special meetings, where they approve programs, budgets, annual reports, policies, strategic development plans, and audited financial statements. The Board is comprised of the executive committee, board members, and committees, including partnership, networking, and fundraising, human resources, and finance and administration.
The Executive Secretary, who serves as the Chief Executive of the organization's secretariat (Executive Director), is accountable to the Board. The Board, in turn, is accountable to the annual general assembly (AGM). The Board's expertise in large and complex NGO management, financial management, capacity development and enhancement, institutional systems building and strengthening, leadership, gender, human rights, social justice, community, maternal and child health, food security and livelihood, income, climate change, M&E, and MIS is critical to the organization's success.
The Secretariat
VOHARO Uganda is an organization that has a technical secretariat consisting of officers and volunteers from diverse backgrounds. The Executive Director (E.D.) leads the team and is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the organization's participatory programs/projects, human resources, and strategic goals. Additionally, the E.D. is in charge of managing the organization's MIS, financial, and M&E systems.
The Executive Director holds the vital role of official spokesperson for the organization and assumes the leadership of the Technical Management Team (TMT). The position entails accountability to the Board and involves the supervision of staff, performance appraisal, and the provision of recommendations to the Board for decision-making.
VOHARO Uganda has technical officers and subject matter specialists responsible for sector dockets that report to the Executive Director. They work together to implement the organization's programs/projects effectively and efficiently.
Contact Us
Location:
P.O.BOX 330045,Lira
Blue Corner North, Blue Corner Ward
Lira City West Division,
Lira City,
Northern Uganda.