KARUDEC HISTORY

Kagando Hospital was founded in 1965, in buildings which had previously housed a Government Leprosy settlement as a District General Hospital by Africa Inland Mission, under Dr Carl Becker, who had himself been forced out of Eastern DR Congo by the Simba rebellion of 1964. Today the Hospital has an up to 300-bed capacity, a School of Nursing and Midwifery (700+ students), a Primary school and Nursery school (350+ pupils), a Mothers Care Home, a Microfinance Project, Christian Nurture/Church Ministry; a Farm, and Community Outreach projects for Palliative Care, Mental Health Outreach, HIV support, Maternal Child Health clinics and training, There is also a Community Water supply programme, as well as Sanitation, Agriculture, Nutrition, Entrepreneurship, and Women’s Health Programmes.

From a leprosarium housed in asbestos bus-like huts, Kagando Hospital has grown to the current 300 bed capacity hospital serving a very big hinterland equivalent to that of a Government referral hospital. Over the years, Kagando Hospital established partnerships as far back as 1965, when in partnership with Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB) and Mengo Hospital it trained Nursing aides. Dr. Rob Morris, during the post Idi Amin era was responsible for fully integrating Kagando Hospital into a fully-fledged Church of Uganda supported project. It is during this period that UPMB became very active in supporting faith-based hospitals. Not only did it supply the hospitals with Drugs and other sundries but also established the crucial link between the hospitals and the Ministry of Health (MoH). Under the auspices of UPMB, Government in 1980 posted the first qualified Government Medical Assistant to the Hospital. 

In 1984, in response to the development needs of the local community, Kagando Hospital transitioned into a multifaceted community development entity called Kagando Rural Development Centre (KARUDEC) under Church of Uganda, serving over 150,000 people in Kasese District where it is located, with some from surrounding districts of Kabarole, Bundibugyo, Kyenjojo, Kibaale, Bushenyi and the neighbouring Eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, providing social and spiritual services in a community where close to 90% of the people are peasant farmers dependent on subsistence farming for their livelihood. KARUDEC has since been a catalyst to development in the Five Sub counties of Kisinga, Kyondo, Munkunyu, Kyarumba and Lake Katwe. The Government has since recognised Kagando Hospital as the headquarters of Bukonzo East health sub district with services extending to people of eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. KARUDEC is located at the foot hills of Mt. Ruwenzori in the Kasese District which straddles the Equator. 

The District is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. District headquarters in Kasese Town are located approximately 359 kilometers by road west of Kampala, Uganda’s Capital City. The District is home to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

HIV/AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS

One of our key areas of focus is the fight against HIV/AIDS. For over 40 years, we are at the forefront of HIV prevention, testing, counseling, and education. Through our active HIV/AIDS programs, we have reached thousands of people, with a particular focus on schools, places
of worship, and community gatherings, where we emphasize HIV awareness, prevention, and testing.

Our HIV/AIDS department has both on site services and out reach services. We have a vey active team of highly skilled, trained and well experienced staff in management, care, education and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

As part of our ongoing efforts to expand our reach and impact, we are planning to scale up our HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs beyond Kasese District to other regions in Uganda and eventually to other East African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda,
Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This ambitious project will include HIV testing, counseling, education on prevention, and psychological and social support for those affected by HIV, with special attention to women and young people.

 

CLIMATE CHANGE RESILENCE AND ADOPTATION 

Since its inception in 1965, KARUDEC has been a dedicated leader in fostering sustainable development and climate resilience in Uganda’s Rwenzori region. Over the years, our efforts have focused on empowering communities through innovative approaches to environmental conservation, renewable energy solutions, and climate change adaptation.

Sustainable Tree Planting & Climate Action

Our tree planting programs have been at the heart of our environmental efforts. Since 2000, KARUDEC has successfully distributed over 5 million trees, both fruit-bearing and non-fruit varieties, to community members in Kasese District. These trees not only provide vital environmental benefits but also offer economic empowerment, supporting local livelihoods and enhancing biodiversity. We are committed to promoting tree planting as a key strategy in combating climate change and restoring ecosystems.

Supporting Vulnerable Communities

KARUDEC is deeply involved in providing relief and support to communities impacted by the devastating effects of climate change. From floods and landslides to the destruction of homes and crops, we are there to assist. Through the generous support of our partners, we provide essential relief items, including clothing, mattresses, iron sheets, food, and domestic essentials such as jerrycans, hoes, and cooking utensils. Our goal is to help families rebuild their lives both emotionally and economically, ensuring they have the resources to recover and thrive.

Access to Clean Water & Renewable Energy

Access to clean water remains a critical challenge for many communities in the region. Our clean water initiatives have provided vital water sources, but we continue to face challenges as flooding and river erosion frequently damage our piped water systems. Despite this, we remain committed to expanding and improving these projects to ensure that safe drinking water reaches those who need it most.

In addition, we are working to increase access to renewable energy, particularly in healthcare facilities and schools, to improve the quality of life for local communities. By providing solar energy solutions and promoting energy-efficient technologies, we aim to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and contribute to a sustainable, green future.

Promoting Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Our programs focus on empowering farmers with climate-smart agricultural practices. Through training and education, we help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns by integrating fruit and non-fruit trees into their farming systems, promoting soil conservation, and improving crop yields. We work hand-in-hand with local stakeholders to ensure that agriculture is both productive and sustainable, helping farmers build resilience against climate variability.

Restoring Ecosystems and Protecting Natural Resources

KARUDEC is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. Our initiatives include the restoration of degraded areas, the promotion of sustainable land management practices, and the protection of river catchment areas. We believe that safeguarding our ecosystems is essential not only for the current generation but also for future generations who will rely on these resources for their survival.

Innovative Actions for Climate Change Mitigation

As part of our commitment to fighting climate change, KARUDEC continues to lead innovative actions that reduce the impacts of climate change. Through reforestation, clean energy projects, and community-based conservation efforts, we aim to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation and create lasting change. Our focus on climate adaptation ensures that vulnerable communities are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in an unpredictable world.

Join Us in Building a Sustainable Future

At KARUDEC, we understand that the challenges of climate change require collective action. Through partnerships, education, and community-driven solutions, we are building a future where both people and the environment can thrive. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the Rwenzori region and beyond.

Stay connected with us as we continue to create positive change. Your support can help us expand our impact and scale our efforts across the region. Together, we can build a more sustainable, resilient future for all.

“KARUDEC – Empowering Communities, Restoring the Environment”

Our Biblical Foundation 

KARUDEC being a faith-based institution, we are inspired in our work each day by our Lord’s statement in John 10:10 thus: …… “I have come that they may have life, and have it to its fullness”.

Our Institutional Core Values

The following are the core values, beliefs and principles upon which KARUDEC operates

  1. We believe that humans beings are made in the image of God and deserve respect and love
  2. We seek to treat all people without discrimination
  3. We uphold Evangelical Christian principles
  4. We seek to live as a family in the organization through mutual support and respect
  5. We aim at delivering quality programmes/services
  6. We cherish and promote professionalism and professional ethics
  7. We cherish faithfulness, commitment and transparency
  8. We desire to treat everybody with Love
  9. We aim at promoting team building, team work and involvement
  10. We promote participatory approaches to community development
  11. We seek to promote harmonious relationships, justice and peace among our stake-holders
  12. We believe that with God all things are possible