our partner

KIDA (Kitojo Integrated Development Action)

KIDA (Kitojo Integrated Development Action) is a grassroots organization that is empowering Ugandans to prevent the spread of HIV and reclaim their lives.  In an international partnership, KIDA is financially supported by the Friends of Ruwenzori Foundation, a 501c3 US-based nonprofit public charity based in California’s Bay Area.

KIDA is located in the Western Ugandan sub-county of Ruteete, in the Kabarole District.  The area is rural and the people are poor, with very limited access to healthcare services until KIDA came along. KIDA’s programs emphasize personal responsibility, and include:

  • HIV education through drama, testing, and counseling
  • An on-site fully staffed clinic
  • On-site general hospital with 46 beds and surgery annex, staffed 24/7
  • Prenatal care, assisted labor and delivery with prevention of mother to child HIV transmission
  • Access to anti-retroviral therapies and treatment for opportunistic infections
  • A home-care visiting program
  • School support and counseling for vulnerable children
  • Micro-lending and saving, and entrepreneur mentoring
  • Literacy and job skills training for youth and adults

KIDA is a registered NGO (non-governmental organization), certified in 2001 by the Republic of Uganda as a nonprofit.  The Reverend Ezra Musobozi, an ordained Anglican priest, and his wife Marjorie, both native Ugandans, founded KIDA and direct the operations of its programs with a staff including medical professionals, and many volunteers.

Ezra and Marjorie mobilized the surrounding community to address the need for AIDS care and prevention with a leap of faith in 2001.  Volunteers formed over 40,000 mud bricks and, by 2003, had used them to build a four-room clinic.  No one knew where they would get the money for a roof or stucco to protect the mud bricks from the rain, nor did they know how they would fund voluntary counseling and testing.  They only knew that it was needed, and that it wouldn’t happen unless they took the first step. Support came gradually; many programs followed and KIDA Hospital officially opened in 2011.

learn more about our programs