Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI)

What Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI) does

Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI) is a private humanitarian non-governmental organization headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, founded in 2017, with approximately 10 employees and field operations concentrated in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. GRI serves refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host community members through an integrated program portfolio spanning four pillars: education, economic empowerment, health, and access to justice. Its flagship assets are Ubuntu Model Primary School, which enrolled more than 200 children from South Sudan, Sudan, DRC, and host communities in 2025, and the newly launched Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (UTTC), a solar-powered ICT facility established in partnership with Women Worldwide Web (W4) and the first ICT centre in the settlement dedicated to girls and women. Other programs include block farming with solar-powered irrigation, passion fruit cultivation, Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) training, menstrual hygiene management, environmental education, and legal representation provided through M/s Lubega, Babu & Company Advocates.

GRI's technology footprint is intentionally lean: a WordPress-based website (griuganda.org) serves as the public-facing and donation platform, with social channels on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (Twitter) supporting outreach. The proprietary service infrastructure is on-the-ground rather than digital — physical infrastructure including the school, the ICT centre, the solar-powered irrigation system, and field offices in Kiryandongo, supplemented by donor-receipt infrastructure via Absa Bank Uganda (UGX/USD/EUR/GBP), Stichting Multi-Pass in the Netherlands, and Donorbox online giving. GRI runs initiatives such as the Pass on Seed Scheme, which uses a seed-sharing model to drive community self-reliance, and the Ubuntu Tech Training Centre to deliver digital skills training.

GRI is funded entirely through donations, grants, and institutional partnerships rather than commercial revenue. Child sponsorship for Ubuntu Model Primary School is priced at 85 EUR / 90 USD per child per year, covering school fees, uniform, school meals, and scholastic materials. Core institutional supporters include UNHCR, Uganda's Office of the Prime Minister, FAO Uganda, Wilde Ganzen Foundation, International Contact Uganda (ICU), Feed the Hungry East Africa, W4 (Women Worldwide Web), AFRIpads, FINCA Bank Uganda, Kits Foundation, Maendeleo Foundation, and Tree Adoption Uganda. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by an Advisory Committee of international humanitarian professionals, with Christopher Kiiza serving as Executive Director and founder Mary Akugizibwe overseeing strategic direction.

Name

Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI)

Legal name

Global Refugee Initiatives

Website

https://griuganda.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI) is a Ugandan humanitarian NGO that operates education, economic empowerment, health, and access-to-justice programs for refugees, IDPs, and host communities in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement through its Ubuntu Model Primary School and Ubuntu Tech Training Centre.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

Keywords

• Humanitarian assistance programs
• Refugee education services
• Livelihoods empowerment programs
• Primary education services
• Community development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorship Revenue: GRI operates as a humanitarian NGO funded primarily through donations from individuals, private foundations, and institutional donors. Key revenue streams include child sponsorship (85 Euros/90 USD per child per year for Ubuntu Model Primary School), general donations via bank transfer (Absa Bank Uganda, Stichting Multi-Pass), and online donations via Donorbox. Revenue is used to fund education, livelihoods, health, and justice programs for refugees and host communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI) is a humanitarian NGO delivering integrated programs across education, economic empowerment, health, and access to justice for refugees, IDPs, and host communities in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda. GRI operates Ubuntu Model Primary School (200+ enrolled children with school feeding, uniforms, and psycho-social support), Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (solar-powered ICT centre for women and girls), and supplementary programs including block farming, VSLA training, passion fruit cultivation, menstrual hygiene management, and legal aid.

Product overview

Global Refugee Initiatives operates a portfolio of interconnected humanitarian programs serving refugees, IDPs, and host communities in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda. The core offerings include Ubuntu Model Primary School (providing quality primary education with feeding programs), the Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (digital skills and ICT training for women and girls), Health Services (medical treatment and mental health support), Access to Justice Program (legal services), and Economic Empowerment initiatives (block farming, VSLA training, passion fruit cultivation). Programs are supported by supplementary offerings including a child sponsorship scheme, menstrual hygiene management, and environmental education through the Environmental Kids Club. All programs emphasize sustainability through community collaboration and livelihood development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ubuntu Model Primary School: Primary school operated by GRI within Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement providing education to refugee, IDP, and host community children.
• Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (UTTC)

Products and services

• Ubuntu Model Primary School A primary school operated by GRI within Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement providing quality primary education to refugee, IDP, and host community children, featuring school feeding programs, extracurricular clubs, uniforms, scholastic materials, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (UTTC) The first ICT centre in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement dedicated to girls and women, powered by solar energy, providing digital skills training for school children, out-of-school girls, and community women at the Ubuntu Model Primary School.
• Health Services Medical centres providing refugees, IDPs, and host communities with treatment, prevention, and health management services for physical and mental health needs, including staff training on mental health, trauma healing, gender-based violence, suicidality, and hygiene education.
• Access to Justice Program Rights-based access to justice services addressing critical issues affecting refugee and IDP women, men, and children, including legal representation through M/s Lubega, Babu & Company Advocates before courts or administrative tribunals.
• Block Farming Program Economic empowerment initiative providing refugee farmers with access to land, seeds, agro-inputs, and training in organic farming, climate-smart agriculture, and solar-powered irrigation for year-round cultivation of vegetables such as Sukuma wiki, green pepper, onions, cabbage, spinach, and okra.
• Child Sponsorship Program Individual sponsorship program supporting vulnerable refugee children at Ubuntu Model Primary School, covering school fees, uniform, school meals, and scholastic materials for one academic year at 85 Euros / 90 USD per child.
• Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) Training Financial inclusion program training smallholder farmers in community-driven savings models, delivered in partnership with FINCA Bank Uganda, enabling families to save, access loans, and invest in income-generating activities.
• Menstrual Hygiene Management Program Distribution of reusable sanitary pads, soap, and underwear to schoolgirls, along with training for senior women teachers on menstrual health education, puberty education, and adolescent communication across five primary schools in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.
• Environmental Kids Club Extracurricular environmental education program engaging school children in conservation activities, tree planting, nature walks, agroforestry demonstration gardens, and climate-smart agriculture practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ children enrolled in Ubuntu Model Primary School; 1,000 menstrual hygiene kits distributed to schoolgirls; 200+ refugee farmers supported; 50 farmers trained on VSLA; 3,000 passion fruit seedlings distributed to 150 host community farmers; Ubuntu Tech Training Centre launched with 150+ ICT training participants.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2023WPDI carried out a three-day mental health training for GRI staff and Ubuntu Model Primary School teachers, covering trauma and trauma healing, gender-based violence, suicidality, hygiene education, and life skills. WPDI has also partnered on health awareness sessions at the school.
• UNHCR UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency and a key stakeholder in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. GRI collaborates with UNHCR on refugee response programs and participates in settlement coordination mechanisms. UNHCR representatives attend GRI's stakeholder meetings and field visits.
• Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPM is the government body responsible for managing refugee settlements in Uganda. GRI works closely with OPM Kiryandongo to implement programs, allocate land for farming, and coordinate refugee support activities.
• FAO Uganda (Food and Agriculture Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO Uganda has partnered with GRI on agricultural and livelihoods programs, including the construction of solar-powered irrigation systems, distribution of passion fruit seedlings, and block farming support. GRI participated in FAO-organized events such as the Farmer Field Day.
• Wilde Ganzen FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch foundation supporting GRI's Ubuntu Model Primary School Sustainability and Local Ownership project, which aims to complete and sustain the primary school (P1 to P7) with child-centred holistic quality education, nutrition, psycho-social support, staff housing, and expanded livelihood programs for parents. Wilde Ganzen visited GRI's field operations in June 2024.
• International Contact Uganda (ICU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch NGO co-funding the Ubuntu Model Primary School Sustainability and Local Ownership project alongside Wilde Ganzen. ICU focuses on supporting people in rural Uganda and brings complementary expertise to the project.
• W4 (Women Worldwide Web)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerW4 partnered with GRI to establish the Ubuntu Tech Training Centre (UTTC), the first ICT centre in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement dedicated to girls and women. W4 facilitated the EQUALS Her Digital Skills partnership and connects GRI with global initiatives such as the Maendeleo Foundation and the MTN Internet Bus. W4 provided trust, guidance, and ongoing support.
• Feed the Hungry AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeed the Hungry Australia supports GRI's school feeding program at Ubuntu Model Primary School by providing MannaPack food supplies. MannaPack is a nutritious food blend comprising rice, assorted vegetables, soy, and vitamins.
• FINCA Bank UgandamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFINCA Bank Uganda partnered with GRI to deliver Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) training to 50 smallholder farmers in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, providing financial literacy and access to savings and loan services.
• AFRIpadsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFRIpads partnered with GRI to conduct capacity-building training on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), puberty education, and effective adolescent communication for senior women teachers across five primary schools in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.
• Maendeleo FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the W4 partnership, GRI connected with the Maendeleo Foundation, whose collaboration brought the MTN Internet Bus to Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, expanding digital literacy access for women and girls and strengthening community engagement around the Ubuntu Tech Training Centre.
• Tree Adoption Uganda (TAU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAU organized the Run 4 Climate event in which GRI staff and Environmental Kids Club members participated, raising funds for tree planting and environmental conservation. GRI is also involved in agroforestry projects with TAU.
• Uganda Wildlife AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUganda Wildlife Authority provided an insightful session at Murchison Falls National Park's Conservation Information Centre during GRI's Environmental Kids Club field trip, deepening participants' appreciation of conservation.
• M/s Lubega, Babu & Company AdvocatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal associates to GRI supporting the organization's legal matters, contract arrangements, advocacy, and legal representation of GRI's clients before courts or administrative tribunals through the Access to Justice program.
• Planetary CollaborationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on GRI's website. Diego Costa, founder of Planetary Collaboration, serves as Senior Advisor on Strategic Design & Operational Implementation at GRI.
• Feed the Hungry East Africa (FTHEA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner within Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement supporting GRI's school feeding program with MannaPack food supplies (100 boxes of 13.5 kg each per school term).

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS): JRS is an international Catholic NGO delivering education, livelihoods, and psychosocial support to refugees across East Africa, with overlapping education-plus-protection programming in Ugandan settlements comparable to GRI's integrated model.
• HIAS: HIAS is a global refugee-rights organization providing legal aid, psychosocial support, and economic inclusion to refugees in Uganda and other host countries — closely aligned with GRI's access-to-justice and livelihoods components.
• Windle Trust Uganda: Windle Trust Uganda is a long-running refugee-education NGO operating inside Ugandan settlements (including Kiryandongo historically), with a comparable mission of providing education and livelihoods support to refugees from South Sudan and DRC — making it the closest direct peer to GRI.
• Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID): YARID is a Uganda-based refugee-led organization delivering education, vocational training, and livelihoods to refugees and host communities in Kampala and other settlements, with a similar integrated, community-led program model to GRI.

Broad incumbents

• Plan International Uganda: Plan International Uganda delivers child-focused education, protection, and livelihoods programming in refugee settlements, sharing GRI's emphasis on refugee children's schooling and girls' inclusion but at much broader scale.
• Danish Refugee Council (DRC): DRC is a large international NGO operating across all of GRI's program areas (education, livelihoods, protection, shelter) inside Ugandan refugee settlements, comparable in mission but operating at a much larger scale.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): IRC is a major international humanitarian organization delivering education, health, livelihoods, and protection to refugees in Uganda — overlapping with all of GRI's program verticals but at vastly greater scale, making it a broad incumbent rather than direct peer.

Emerging players

• RefugePoint: RefugePoint is a refugee-focused organization providing education, livelihoods, and resettlement support to refugees in Uganda and other African countries, with a comparable community-based service model to GRI.
• African Women Rising: African Women Rising is a small NGO operating in northern Uganda that supports refugee women with VSLA, agriculture, and livelihoods programs — directly comparable to GRI's women-focused economic empowerment and VSLA work in Kiryandongo.
• Tutapona: Tutapona is a smaller UK/US-based refugee education and trauma-support NGO that, like GRI, focuses on refugee children's education and family wellbeing in East Africa — making it a comparable emerging peer in the refugee-education niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/griuganda_1
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-refugee-initiatives

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Refugee Initiatives (GRI)