ACORD UGANDA

What ACORD UGANDA does

ACORD Uganda (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development Uganda, ACORD-U) is a Kampala-headquartered national non-governmental organization that has worked in Uganda since 1979 and was formally registered as an indigenous NGO with the National Bureau for NGOs in 2019. The organization implements a portfolio of development and humanitarian programs organized around four focus areas: Universal Health Care, Sustainable Livelihoods, Communities Free from Fear & Violence, and Research & Advocacy. It serves marginalized Ugandan populations including South Sudanese refugees in Bidibidi and Palabek settlements, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) affected by HIV, women and youth groups, and host communities across 48 districts in Northern, West Nile, Southwestern, Central, Western, and Karamoja regions.

The organization's core technical offerings center on climate-resilient WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure and integrated community programming. Engineering capabilities include solar-powered and hybrid water pumping systems, 10,000-20,000 litre rainwater harvesting tanks, micro-irrigation systems, latrines and institutional WASH facilities for schools and health centers, alongside program delivery in climate-smart agriculture (mulching, mixed farming, trench cultivation), sexual and reproductive health, child protection via Self-Help Group methodology, agricultural value chain development in Karamoja, and healthcare equipment provision. A documented 165 million UGX solar-powered water supply system serves 400+ people and 500 pupils in the Karuyenje B community, illustrating the infrastructure scale.

ACORD-U's business model is grant-based institutional funding from development partners, with no commercial revenue. Core funders include USAID (OVC West Central Activity 2022-2027 targeting 63,512 beneficiaries, KCHS via PEPFAR), Bread for the World, Embassy of Japan, HEKS-EPER, World Food Programme, BMZ/Johanitter, Kindernothilfe, Austrian Development Agency, and Grand Challenge Canada. Distribution occurs through direct program implementation via field offices in Mbarara and Gulu, community-based organizations, self-help groups, and consortium partnerships with UNHCR, IRC, TPO Uganda, and UNFPA. Go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial sales.

Name

ACORD UGANDA

Legal name

Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development Uganda (ACORD-U)

Website

https://acorduganda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ACORD Uganda is a Kampala-based national NGO, founded 1979 and registered as an indigenous organization in 2019, implementing climate-resilient WASH infrastructure, OVC, child protection, and livelihoods programs across 48 districts of Uganda, funded primarily by institutional development partners including USAID, Bread for the World, and WFP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health, Population & WASH Aid Programs (BPADABAC), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL), Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK), Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH)

Keywords

• Humanitarian development programs
• WASH infrastructure services
• Climate resilience programs
• Community development NGO
• Refugee support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Development Partner Funding: ACORD Uganda receives funding from international development partners including bilateral donors, multilateral organizations, and private foundations to implement development and humanitarian programs. Funding is project-based and aligned with specific program objectives.
2. Grant Agreements: The organization operates through grant agreements with development partners, embassies, and international NGOs for specific project implementation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACORD Uganda is a national NGO that designs and implements community development and humanitarian programs in 48 districts of Uganda. Its core offerings include solar-powered water supply systems, WASH facility construction, rainwater harvesting tanks, healthcare support equipment provision, climate resilience and adaptation programs, agricultural and market support, orphans and vulnerable children services, sexual and reproductive health programming, child protection initiatives, and river catchment restoration projects. Programs are delivered through self-help groups, community associations, and partnerships with local government structures.

Product overview

ACORD Uganda (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development Uganda) is a National NGO focused on humanitarian and development work rather than a technology product company. The organization operates a portfolio of community development programs organized around focus areas including Universal Health Care, Sustainable Livelihoods, Communities Free from Fear & Violence, and Research & Advocacy. Key programmatic areas include: Solar-Powered Water Supply Systems and WASH Infrastructure (rainwater harvesting tanks, latrines, handwashing facilities); Healthcare Support Programs; Climate Resilience and Adaptation initiatives; Agricultural and Market Support; Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Services; Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs; Child Protection initiatives; and River Catchment Restoration projects. These programs are primarily funded by international development partners including USAID, World Food Programme, Bread for the World, Embassy of Japan, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar-Powered Water Supply Systems Large-scale and mini solar-powered hybrid water systems designed and implemented to provide clean water access to communities and institutions, including boreholes, pump stations, and distribution networks.
• WASH Facilities Construction and rehabilitation of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities including latrines, handwashing stations, and institutional WASH infrastructure for schools, health centers, and communities.
• Rainwater Harvesting Systems Installation of climate-proof rainwater harvesting tanks (typically 10,000 litre capacity) for household consumption and micro-irrigation purposes during dry seasons.
• Healthcare Support Equipment Provision Provision of healthcare equipment to health facilities including fistula repair and treatment equipment, and support for improved health service delivery.
• Climate Resilience and Adaptation Programs Programs focused on building community resilience to climate change through sustainable livelihoods, agroforestry, energy-efficient technologies, climate-smart agriculture practices, and river catchment restoration.
• Agricultural and Market Support Programs Support for smallholder farmers through agricultural value chain development, agro-input services, digital and financial inclusion, and market linkages in the Karamoja region.
• Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Services Comprehensive services for orphans and vulnerable children including HIV prevention, care and support, violence prevention, and socio-economic strengthening of families.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs Programs advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, including self-care interventions, family planning services, and adolescent health support in humanitarian settings.
• Child Protection Programs Programs focusing on scaling up child protection through empowerment of marginalized women and vulnerable children using Self-Help Group approaches in Northern Uganda.
• River Catchment Restoration Projects promoting restoration and protection of river systems and catchment areas through soil conservation structures, wetland rehabilitation, and community-based environmental management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clean water access for 400+ people and 500 pupils through 165 million solar-powered water system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Rescue Committee (IRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in SHE CARES project (SHE CARES: Self-care in Humanitarian Settings) in Bidibidi refugee settlement targeting adolescent girls and young women with SRHR self-care interventions.
• TPO UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner in USAID's Keeping Children Healthy and Safe Activity (KCHS) in Southwestern Uganda, working alongside ACORD-U, REPSSI, MDMS, and AVSI Foundation Uganda.
• UNFPAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in healthcare equipment provision, including fistula repair and treatment equipment handover to Buyinja Health Center IV in Namayingo District.
• Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership providing coordination and collaboration with other WASH-focused NGOs in Uganda.
• Global Water Partnership East AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional network membership for water resources management collaboration in East Africa.
• Government of UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with district local governments and line ministries including Ministry of Health for program implementation and regulatory oversight.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination with UNHCR for refugee programming in Bidibidi and Palabek settlements, complementing UNHCR's water trucking and refugee support services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Vision Uganda: World Vision Uganda operates one of the largest NGO footprints in Uganda with WASH, child protection, livelihoods, and education programming across many of the same districts. Comparable as a large multi-sector international NGO with overlapping community development focus.
• CARE International in Uganda: CARE Uganda implements integrated programs on women's empowerment, WASH, climate resilience, and food security across multiple Ugandan districts. Comparable in its integrated, community-led programming model targeting marginalized women and refugee populations.
• Plan International Uganda: Plan International Uganda implements child rights, WASH, education, and youth economic empowerment programs across Uganda. Comparable in focus on OVC, child protection, community WASH infrastructure, and women's empowerment in rural and refugee contexts.
• Oxfam in Uganda: Oxfam Uganda implements integrated development and humanitarian programs including WASH, livelihoods, gender, and governance across Uganda. Comparable as a multi-sector international NGO operating at significantly larger scale with overlapping thematic areas.
• Mercy Corps Uganda: Mercy Corps Uganda runs integrated humanitarian and development programs including WASH, livelihoods, climate adaptation, and youth economic opportunity in northern and eastern Uganda. Comparable multi-sector international NGO with overlapping themes and geographies.

Direct peers

• Welthungerhilfe Uganda: Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) implements WASH, food security, and climate adaptation projects in Uganda including refugee contexts. Direct peer as a European bilateral-affiliated development NGO with overlapping WASH and rural community programming.
• WaterAid Uganda: WaterAid Uganda is a country office of WaterAid focused specifically on WASH programming for underserved Ugandan communities. Direct peer in WASH focus area, target beneficiary profile (rural and refugee populations), and geographic footprint in Uganda.
• Action Against Hunger Uganda: Action Against Hunger Uganda focuses on nutrition, food security, WASH, and livelihoods in refugee and host communities in northern Uganda including West Nile. Direct peer in refugee WASH and nutrition programming across overlapping geographies.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC) Uganda: IRC Uganda delivers humanitarian and development programs for refugees and host communities in settlements including Bidibidi, with overlapping WASH, women protection, and SRH programming. Direct operational peer in refugee settings and an existing consortium partner of ACORD Uganda on the SHE CARES project.

Emerging players

• BRAC Uganda: BRAC Uganda runs microfinance, livelihoods, and education programs targeting women and youth in underserved communities, with growing WASH and agriculture programming. Comparable as an NGO focused on economic empowerment of women and youth using community-led approaches similar to ACORD's SHG model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AcordUganda
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCq85c75J4W0tPwtzXoVvwOw?sub_confirmation=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACORDUganda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acord-uganda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ACORD UGANDA