who we are
Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to Nanziga Women Development Initiative (NAWODI) — a home of hope, empowerment, and transformation.
When we founded NAWODI, our dream was simple yet powerful: to see women and young people rise above limitation, take charge of their destinies, and become architects of their own success. We envisioned communities where skills, opportunity, and dignity are within everyone’s reach — regardless of where they were born or how the world defines them.
Today, that dream is alive. Across urban slums and rural villages, we are witnessing young mothers learning new trades, youth creating green innovations, and communities standing together against poverty and gender-based violence. These are not just statistics — they are stories of courage, resilience, and rebirth.
At NAWODI, we believe that true empowerment begins with the heart, grows through knowledge, and thrives in unity. Our work is guided by faith in human potential and a deep conviction that when women and youth are empowered, families flourish, communities prosper, and nations transform.
As we continue to build partnerships, expand our programs, and nurture leadership among young people, we remain committed to one purpose — to make every community a place where women and youth can live, learn, work, and dream freely.
Thank you for visiting our website and for walking this journey with us. Together, we can create lasting change — one skill, one dream, and one empowered life at a time.
With gratitude and hope,
Thaddeus Sserukeera
Executive Director, Nanziga Women Development Initiative (NAWODI)
About NAWODI
We are a nonprofit Community Based Organization Based in Nanziga, in Wakiso District.
NAWODI is a fully registered national organization committed to empowering women and youth across Uganda. Established with a clear mandate to promote social and economic transformation, NAWODI focuses on skilling, capacity building, mentorship, and community development. The organization supports women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups through training programs, advocacy, entrepreneurship support, and leadership development. NAWODI partners with local governments, community-based organizations, training institutions, churches, and development agencies to strengthen its impact. Through these collaborations, NAWODI delivers sustainable initiatives that improve livelihoods, expand opportunities, and support inclusive growth in both rural and urban communities.
Our Vision
our Impact
At NAWODI Uganda, we believe in transparency and accountability. Our commitment to making a positive impact is reflected in the numbers, demonstrating the real and tangible difference we collectively make in the lives of those we serve.
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What we do
Vocational and Practical Skilling of Young Girls and Women
At NAWODI, we equip young girls and women with practical, market-relevant skills that foster economic independence and confidence. Our hands-on training programs include:
Tailoring, Fashion & Design: Empowering participants to create stylish clothing and accessories, opening doors to entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
Hairdressing and Cosmetology: Comprehensive training in hair care, styling, and beauty treatments to serve communities with professionalism and skill.
Reusable Sanitary Pad & Baby Diaper Production: Teaching eco-friendly production methods to improve hygiene while generating income sustainably.
Shampoo & Liquid Soap Making: Enabling women to produce affordable, quality personal care products for local markets.
Digital Literacy Integration: Providing essential skills in digital marketing, online sales, and mobile transactions to help grow and manage businesses in today’s digital economy.
Our programs create pathways for women and girls to become confident entrepreneurs, ready to succeed in both traditional and digital marketplaces.
Our Achievements
NAWODI has proudly empowered hundreds of young girls and women through its impactful vocational graduation programs. Over the years, more than 550 beneficiaries have completed trainings in key livelihood skills, opening new pathways to independence and dignity. Our programs intentionally target out-of-school youth, teenage mothers, and vulnerable girls who face limited opportunities for economic advancement. Each graduation represents more than skill acquisition—it marks renewed hope, restored confidence, and a fresh start. Many of our graduates now operate small businesses, work in salons, join fashion workshops, or support their households through income earned from newly gained skills.
Through partnerships with CRVPF, Theirworld UK, Mastercard Foundation, and community supporters, NAWODI has delivered high-quality training in tailoring, fashion and design, hairdressing, cosmetology, reusable sanitary pad production, bookmaking, and soap making. These practical programs equip learners with hands-on skills that immediately translate into real economic opportunities. A key milestone was achieved in 2024 when 100 young people graduated under the Empower Youth Through Data and Community Development project. In 2023, another 105 girls completed training under a Theirworld UK initiative, demonstrating NAWODI’s continued commitment to expanding opportunities for girls and young women.
Between 2021 and 2022, NAWODI reached a major achievement by graduating 350 young women through a Mastercard Foundation–supported program, marking one of its largest and most impactful cohorts. These graduates received certified training and immediately began transforming their lives and communities. Many have since launched micro-enterprises, secured employment, or joined Village Savings and Loan Associations to strengthen their financial stability. NAWODI continues to celebrate these success stories as powerful reminders that when young women are equipped with relevant skills and mentorship, they can overcome barriers, uplift their families, and inspire positive change within their communities.
OUR BLOG LATEST POSTS
Celebrating Milestones: NAWODI’s Achievements and Vision for the Future
From our roots in 2018 to today, NAWODI has made significant strides in empowering women and youth across Uganda. Our achievements reflect the dedication of our team, partners, and communities. In 2021-2022, with CRVPF (funded by Mastercard Foundation), we trained 350 girls in modern tailoring and hairdressing, all skilled in
Protecting Rights: NAWODI’s Work in SRHR and Ending Gender-Based Violence
High rates of teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence (GBV), and limited reproductive health awareness continue to hinder women’s progress in Uganda. Over half of married women face GBV (UBOS, 2021), and stigma around sexual health persists. NAWODI’s programs in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Ending GBV are dedicated to
Going Green: NAWODI’s Commitment to Environmental Conservation and Climate Action
Climate change is a pressing threat, disproportionately impacting rural communities in Uganda through reduced agricultural productivity and environmental degradation. At NAWODI, our Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Action programs empower women and youth to lead sustainable solutions, viewing climate action as a development and gender equality priority. We focus on
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