An indigenous Uganda NGO empowering vulnerable populations — women, youth, children, refugees, and persons with disabilities — through capacity building, advocacy, and sustainable development.
Active in northern Uganda since 2024
refugees and asylum seekers hosted by Uganda
of Uganda's population is under 30 years old
districts where JOHI operates
technical areas of expertise
Uganda hosts over 2 million refugees and asylum seekers, most of whom are women and children. With nearly 78% of the population under 30, the country faces high levels of youth unemployment, poverty, and limited access to quality services. These challenges call for integrated interventions that strengthen resilience, improve livelihoods, and expand access to essential services for both refugee and host communities.
Communities in Kitgum and Lamwo supported by JOHI programs
Building resilience for refugee and host community households
JOHI applies participatory and community-centred approaches that promote ownership, sustainability, and accountability. We work with communities, local authorities, and development partners — not above or around them — to address persistent challenges and create lasting change.
JOHI's programs address the interconnected challenges facing vulnerable populations: from economic exclusion and health gaps, to protection risks, environmental pressures, and lack of basic services.
Where performance breaks down today
Youth
Unemployment and lack of skills
Health
Preventable disease and malnutrition
Protection
GBV, child abuse, and displacement trauma
Livelihoods
Poverty and food insecurity
Youth
Skills and entrepreneurship training
Health
Primary health and nutrition services
Protection
GBV response, MHPSS, child protection
Livelihoods
Climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness
Every community faces a different combination of challenges. Our programs are designed to address the full spectrum of vulnerability — from health and protection, to livelihoods, WASH, education, and emergency response.
Core Programs
JOHI's core programs work together to address the full spectrum of challenges facing refugees and host communities — from health and protection, to livelihoods, WASH, and education. Together they help vulnerable people build safety, dignity, and self-reliance.
We empower out-of-school youth from refugee and host communities with vocational, entrepreneurship, and life skills to enhance employability, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods.
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We support refugees and host communities to access essential health and nutrition services, promoting healthy lives, preventing disease and malnutrition, and improving overall wellbeing.
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JOHI provides integrated protection services including GBV prevention and response, child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, and inclusion of people with disabilities and highly vulnerable individuals.
Learn MoreWe empower farmers' resilience and adaptation to climate change, promote sustainable production, and enhance food security and improved community livelihoods through agribusiness development.
Learn MoreStrategic Initiatives
Beyond our core programs, JOHI runs strategic initiatives: advocacy campaigns, capacity-building workshops, partnership development, and cross-cutting gender and disability inclusion work. If it strengthens resilience and serves the community, this is where we develop it.
JOHI promotes access to safe and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services for both refugee and host communities, improving health, dignity, and overall wellbeing.Placeholder copy — final text pending
Learn MoreJOHI provides shelter and settlement support to refugees and vulnerable host communities through community-led approaches that promote safety, dignity, resilience, and local ownership.
Learn MoreJOHI promotes access to quality education for both refugees and host communities, ensuring inclusive learning opportunities that support children's development, resilience, and future livelihoods.
Learn MoreJOHI's programs are designed for the people who need them most — refugees, host communities, women, youth, children, and persons with disabilities across Kitgum, Lamwo, Kikuube, Arua, and Kiryandongo.
JOHI is currently delivering integrated programs across multiple districts in Uganda, reaching refugee and host communities with essential services, skills training, and protection support.
ActiveKitgum Municipality, UgandaYouth aged 14–35
JOHI delivers vocational and entrepreneurship training to out-of-school youth from refugee and host communities, building employability, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods.
ActiveKitgum and Lamwo DistrictsWomen, girls, and GBV survivors
Integrated GBV prevention and response services, including community awareness, survivor support, case management, and MHPSS for women and girls in refugee and host communities.
Protection and psychosocial support ongoing
ActiveKitgum, Lamwo, and Kiryandongo DistrictsRefugee and host community households
Safe water access, household latrine construction, hygiene promotion, and community sanitation initiatives for refugee and host community households.
Hygiene promotion and infrastructure delivery
ExpandingKiryandongo and Arua DistrictsSmallholder farmer households
Climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development, and disaster risk reduction for vulnerable farming households in refugee and host communities.
“The vocational training I received through JOHI gave me skills I could use immediately. Now I run my own small business and support my family — I never thought that was possible before.”Self-employed after training
Grace A.
Youth program participant, Kitgum
“JOHI's protection program helped me find safety and support after I fled my home. The staff treated me with dignity and helped me access the services I needed.”Access to protection and MHPSS
Amina K.
Refugee community member, Lamwo
“Our community now has clean water and latrines we built ourselves. JOHI trained us and walked with us — we own this infrastructure and know how to maintain it.”Community-owned WASH infrastructure
Samuel O.
Community leader, Kiryandongo
October 2026 · 5 min read
Programs that communities help design are programs communities sustain — a look at why participatory approaches matter more than ever in northern Uganda.
Felly Lamwaka Christine
Director of Programs
August 2026 · 6 min read
Displacement creates specific vulnerabilities for women and girls. Here's how JOHI's integrated protection approach addresses GBV in refugee and host communities.
Patrick Rvin Anywar
Executive Director
June 2026 · 4 min read
When displacement meets climate stress, farmers need more than seeds and tools — they need adaptive strategies. JOHI's livelihoods program is building exactly that.
Patrick Rvin Anywar
Executive Director
Whether you are a donor, development partner, government agency, or community organization — JOHI welcomes collaboration to expand our reach and deepen our impact. Get in touch to explore how we can work together.
Whether you are a potential partner, donor, community member, or just want to learn more about JOHI's work, we are here to listen and respond.
