Climate Action & Food Security
UNCCD-accredited work on green jobs, tree planting, wetland protection, clean energy such as briquettes, and our Population, Health & Environment model.
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Since 2018 A national, indigenous NGO serving communities across Uganda
Impactful services for the most vulnerable
Top Notch Community Development Initiative provides context-specific, sustainable and impactful solutions grounded in human-centred approaches — in climate action, livelihoods and youth employment, health and education.
6Districts in Uganda
UNCCDAccredited CSO
250+
Young people reached with new HIV prevention options in Kyenjojo
200
Community organisations in our VSLA training partnership with CRVPF
100
Households in Yumbe supported with energy-saving briquettes
80+
International delegates at our COP16 stall in Riyadh
Who we are
Reaching the last mile, led by communities
Established in 2018 and registered as a legal entity in 2021 (Reg. No. 80020003286508), Top Notch-CDI is a national-level, indigenous NGO with its secretariat on Hoima Road, Naluvule–Nansana.
Our work is guided by our Five-Year Strategic Plan (January 2025 – December 2029), which focuses on integrated services in climate action and food security, livelihoods and youth employment, education and health.
- Value for money and results-oriented
- Transparency and accountability
- Inclusive, non-discriminatory service delivery
- Strong partnerships that reach the last mile
What we do
Integrated programmes, one vision
Our programmes respond to the most pressing needs of young people, women, children and families — from the household to the global stage.
Livelihoods & Youth Employment
Standard VSLA training, financial and digital literacy, and practical youth skills that lead to dignified work — including green jobs.
Learn moreHealth & HIV Prevention
Improving access to new HIV prevention options for adolescent girls and young women, eMTCT and advocacy for better HIV services.
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Home-first literacy, caring families and national advocacy — including organising the 2024 Day of the African Child.
Learn moreChild Safeguarding & PSHEA
Child protection units, whistle-blowers, SHEA champions and survivor-centred support so that children and young women are safe.
Learn moreWater, Sanitation & Hygiene
Community ownership of safe water, good sanitation and home hygiene — from water committees and tippy taps to Top Pads.
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Climate change & clean energy
Crop waste
Char
Briquettes
Clean fire
From farm waste to clean fire
Climate change is hitting Ugandan families through vanishing forests, smoky kitchens and unreliable rains. Our briquettes turn crop waste into a long-burning cooking fuel that saves trees, cuts smoke and creates green jobs for youth and women.
Crop wasteCharBriquettesClean fire
100 households in Yumbe reached with briquettes and clean-energy skills — plus woodlots, solar and tree planting in Hoima.
2024 highlights
What we achieved together
Working in Kyenjojo, Lira, Hoima and Wakiso districts, at national level and on the global stage.
01
“Reaching the Last Child”
With Community Health Alliance Uganda (CHAU) and support from Africa Reach, we worked to reduce new paediatric HIV infections in Kyenjojo, training 40 community champions on eMTCT.
02
National Test & Treat dialogue
On 25 June 2024 we convened 25 participants — ministries, health workers, CSOs and people living with HIV — in Kampala to review the Universal Test and Treat policy.
03
UNCCD COP16, Riyadh
One of the few Ugandan CSOs accredited by UNCCD, we sent five staff to present our Population, Health & Environment model. Over 80 delegates visited our stall.
04
Day of the African Child
Invited by the Ministry of Education and Sports, we served on the national organising committee for the celebrations in Kiryandongo on 15–16 June 2024.
05
A youth skills department
We set up a full youth skills department — shoemaking, soap and jelly making, tailoring, beads and mushroom growing — benefiting 61 young people.
06
Climate action at home
Tree planting with youth, community woodlots in Kigolobya village (Hoima) and the first steps towards PELUM Uganda membership.
From the Executive Director
Throughout the year, we made significant progress and gained valuable insights together. As a team, we will use the lessons learned to better serve our communities — and we look forward to walking this journey together in the years to come. Mwesigwa Robert J Executive Director, Top Notch-CDI
Our partners
Stronger together
We work closely with district local governments, CBOs, community structures and implementing partners — involving them in planning and implementation.
CHAU
Kyenjojo District
Community Health Alliance Uganda
Our partner on HIV prevention since 2023, with support from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation through Africa Reach.
CRVPF
West Nile, Northern, Western & Central
Children Rights and Violence Prevention Fund
Together we are training 200 community organisations on VSLA, financial and digital literacy to move youth into dignified work.
CCYA
Lira District
Concerned Children and Youth Association
Strong peer-to-peer approaches to issues affecting youth and children.
JEF
Hoima District
Joint Effort for Rural Development (JEFORD)
Rich expertise in sexual and reproductive health rights for young people.
JRS
Kampala
Jesuit Refugee Service
Partnering to reach refugees and host communities in Kampala.
PHIC
Kampala & Wakiso
Partners for Health Individuals and Communities
Working together to serve communities in Kampala and Wakiso districts.
UNCCDElizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS FoundationAfrica ReachWAFFLE ForestUganda AIDS CommissionBugema UniversityLive Teens ThriveYouth Africa
Walk the journey with us
Partner with us, volunteer your skills or support our work so that more vulnerable families in Uganda enjoy impactful, sustainable services.