About us

background

Byomire Inclusive Development Foundation (BIDF) was founded to champion inclusive development and empower marginalized groups in alignment with the United Nations Agenda 2030. Guided by the belief that true societal transformation comes from breaking down barriers, amplifying voices, and fostering equity, BIDF envisions a resilient, empowered, and inclusive society driven by a shift in mindset.

Our mission is to ignite community transformation through research, policy advocacy, skill-building in technology, and community engagement. We focus on enhancing accessibility and opportunities for marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities (PwDs), women and girls, youth, refugees, internally displaced persons, and the boy child. By addressing social and economic inequalities, BIDF unlocks the potential of these communities to contribute meaningfully to society. We collaborate with partners and stakeholders to drive sustainable impact, from promoting inclusive education and equitable policies to building leadership, innovation, and resilience.

With its registered office in Uganda, East Africa, BIDF remains committed to shaping a future where inclusion, equity, and empowerment are a reality for all. Together, we are dismantling barriers, changing perceptions, and creating lasting impact.

vision

Towards an empowered, resilient, and inclusive society

mission

We ignite communities through mindset transformation & empowerment.

core values

Inclusiveness, Accountability, Integrity, Compassion & Respect for diversity

Objectives

  • Research and Inclusion
    Conduct research to address disability, digital, social, financial, gender, and educational inclusion, while advocating for policies that support marginalized groups.
  • Education and Capacity Building
    Implement training programs for teachers and stakeholders to promote inclusive education and establish skill development hubs for target groups.
  • Economic Empowerment
    Equip PwDs, women and girls, youth, refugees, internally displaced persons, and single fathers with entrepreneurial skills and promote employment through capacity building and employer sensitization.
  • Technology and Innovation
    Develop accessible technologies for PwDs and marginalized groups and provide IT skills training to enhance their economic opportunities.
  • Health and Well-being
    Train healthcare workers on inclusive health and raise awareness through community dialogues, social media campaigns, and radio shows.
  • Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns
    Offer accessibility and inclusion training and run campaigns to combat stigma and raise awareness about the rights and potential of marginalized groups.
  • Civic Participation
    Enhance the participation of PwDs, women, girls, and youth in elections and advocate for inclusive political processes and representation.
  • Supporting Organizations
    Support organizations working with marginalized groups by providing mentorship and continuous learning opportunities.
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Proposed Interventions

  • Inclusive Education: Teacher training programs, collaborations with educational institutions, advocacy for inclusive educational policies, and Capacity Building.
  • Economic Empowerment: Entrepreneurship training, employment promotion initiatives, support for PWD-led businesses, Livelihoods, and Economic Empowerment for women and girls, the youth and single fathers, plus Capacity Building.
  • Political Participation: Promote voter education and advocate for inclusive electoral processes for persons with disabilities (PWDs), women and girls, and the youth through Advocacy and Public Awareness.
  • Legislative Advocacy: Lobbying for legal reforms that remove barriers to inclusion and promote the rights of all target groups through Research and Policy Advocacy.
  • Healthcare Access: Training healthcare workers on inclusive practices and advocating for equal access to healthcare services for all target groups through Education and Capacity Building.
  • Youth Programs: Establishing youth enterprise groups, life skills training camps for young people, women and girls with disabilities, refugees and internally displaced persons, and mentorship opportunities.
  • Media and Communication: Disability and other marginalized groups journalism initiatives, awareness campaigns on the rights and needs of all target groups, and development of communication materials through Public Awareness and Community Engagement.
  • Capacity Building: Creating learning collaboratives and hubs for all target groups. Identifying and supporting existing organizations working with our target groups to strengthen their capacity and promote innovative inclusion practices through Strategic Partnerships.

About our team leader

Director

Byomire Gorretti

Advocate for disability inclusion and rights.

Gorretti Byomire is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion and rights, serving as a Disability and Gender Consultant. She is a Lecturer in the Department of Information Systems and Director of the Disability Resource and Learning Centre at Makerere University Business School, where she drives research and consultancy in her fields.

Her commitment to inclusive development has seen her contribute to global initiatives, including the TESTS project in Liberia and the Inclusive Eye Health initiative in the UK. She has advised organizations like USAID and Inclusive Development Partners (IDP) and is currently leading a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) project to enhance inclusive recruitment practices within the US Mission in Uganda.

As CEO and founder of the Byomire Inclusive Development Foundation (BIDF), Gorretti champions empowerment for marginalized groups, including women, persons with disabilities, youth, refugees, and the elderly. Her leadership spans the YALI Regional Leadership Centre, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, and several boards advancing inclusive development. A winner of the 2023 MacJannet Prize, she also chairs the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Network in Uganda and serves as Vice President of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Network Council.

A Mandela Washington Fellow (2021) and YALI RLC East Africa alumnus, Gorretti has studied Public Management at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a PhD in Information Systems at the University of South Africa, researching the information needs of persons with disabilities during crises. Gorretti’s expertise and passion for inclusivity make her a leading voice in disability rights and inclusive education.

Our Focus

  • Persons With Disabilities (PwDs): Promote equitable access to education, livelihoods, healthcare, and civic engagements.
  • Women and Girls (WAG): Empowerment and capacity building
  • Economically Inactive Youths (EIYs):  Purposeful mentorship and skills development.
  • Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (RIDPs): Safe integration within host communities.
  • The Boy Child (TBC): Mentorship and expand gender roles to promote inclusivity.

Our Strategy

  • Research and Policy Advocacy: Conducting research and advocating for inclusive policies and legislation.
  • Education and Capacity Building: Training stakeholders and equipping target groups with essential skills.
  • Public Awareness and Engagement: Raising awareness through campaigns, media, and community dialogues.
  • Technology and Innovation: Creating assistive technologies and offering digital skills training.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with stakeholders to advance inclusive development.
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