About Kanaama
Working in partnership with communities in southwest Uganda since 2009.
Kanaama Interactive Community Support (aka Kanaama) supports practical, long-term community development focused on education, women’s empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, health, and access to clean water in Kashare, Uganda.
Our story
Kanaama Interactive Community Support (KICS now known as Kanaama) was founded in 2009 by Donovan Chamberlayne, his mother Prue, and her husband Tom Wengraf.
The charity was inspired by Donovan’s father, Professor Matarare Bahemuka, who grew up in Bushenyi, southwest Uganda, before developing a farm in the nearby village of Kanaama. His lifelong commitment to his community and his vision for a better future continue to shape the work of Kanaama today.
Professor Bahemuka was tragically killed in Kampala in 1988. In 2007, Donovan returned to Uganda with Prue and Tom. They were welcomed warmly by the local community but were deeply moved by the challenges many families faced, including poverty, limited access to education and the lasting impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Inspired by the resilience of the people they met and determined to honour Professor Bahemuka’s legacy, they established KICS to help communities build brighter, more sustainable futures.
Our journey
Since 2009, Kanaama has grown from a single community initiative into a range of programmes that support education, livelihoods and long-term development.
Today
Kanaama continues to work alongside communities through education, livelihoods and capacity building.
2026
- New integrated project starts in Kagongi subcounty, combining literacy, agriculture and business for 100 women.
- Menstrual health education project starts in 12 primary schools in Kagongi subcounty.
- Five 20,000 litres school tanks built by July, with another five planned by the end of the year.
2025
- Kanaama gets permission to change its charitable objects so that it can work in SW Uganda.
- Seventh basic literacy course for women starts.
- New two-year agricultural training course for women starts.
2024
- Kanaama reached £500,000 raised for Uganda since its founding. 86% sent to Uganda. 6% retained as unrestricted reserve.
- Over 700 women completed the literacy programme.
- 70th child in the school support project gains a primary leaving certificate.
2023
- Girls’ toilets upgraded in six school including changing rooms to support the menstrual health education project.
- Two-year agricultural training project for women starts.
- An advanced literacy class starts which includes business training.
2022
- Kanaama becomes a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).
- Ugandan schools resume after Covid and Kanaama starts its menstrual health education project in 16schools in Kashare.
- Kanaama builds 10 domestic bathroom and toilet blocks.
2021
- Covid-19 pandemic continues and Ugandan schools remain closed. KICS provided private tutoring to older children in the school attendance project.
- Pilot of advanced literacy class started.
- 2000th loan issued by KIMC.
2020
- Covid-19 spreads through the world, and Uganda was locked down, with schools closed and all parts of life in Kashare affected, with many facing hardship as the wider economy slumped.
- KICS Uganda distributed welfare and seeds to 400 needy households, including those of the children in the school attendance project.
- 71 wind up radios distributed to children so that they could access educational programmes on public radio.
- First village savings and loan groups set up with the school attendance project families.
2019
- First 10 domestic rain-fed water tanks built; toilets renovated at Rweibaare Primary School
2018
- Fuel-efficient stove project finishes – over 800 built.
- First celebration of International Menstrual Health Day.
2016
- English Language Scheme starts.
- 1000th loan issued through KIMC.
- Agricultural training activities piloted.
- 100th child enrolled in school attendance support project (known then as RONCO).
2015
- Women’s literacy and numeracy project starts.
2013
- School attendance support project (known then as RONCO) begins for orphaned and vulnerable children.
2010
- Link group formed which became KICS Uganda, our local partner.
- First fuel-efficient stoves built.
2009
- KICS is founded by Prue, Donovan and Tom.
- Kanaama Interactive Microcredit (KIMC) Programme is launched.
Find out more about our programmes and the lasting difference they’re making by exploring the Our Work page.
Meet the people behind Kanaama
Kanaama is built on partnership between a volunteer-led UK team and a dedicated team based in Uganda, working together to support community-led development.
Uganda team
Edmund Ahabwe
Programme Manager
Edmund joined Kanaama in January 2015 as a volunteer, and since then has risen through different positions to reach his current role today. He holds a MA in Development Studies.
Oliver Kebirungi
Projects Co-ordinator
Oliver has held this position since she started working with Kanaama in 2013. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Counselling and Guidance.
Viorah Amutuheire
Finance & Administration Officer
Viorah joined Kanaama in March 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Mary Racheal Natujuna
Projects Officer
Mary joined the team in October 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and small business management from Makerere University.
Allan Tukashaba
Agriculture Extension Officer
Allan joined the team in 2022. He is an agriculture development graduate from Bishop Stuart University. He also holds a diploma in agriculture studies from OZER Farm in Israel.
Musa Tuhairwe
Projects Officer
Musa joined the team in 2023. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bishop Stuart University.
UK trustees
Fiona Bristow
Trustee and Director
Fiona has been a Kanaama trustee since 2015 and took over the role of Director in 2016. She has a background in international development and experience in reproductive health, community development, and fundraising.
John Watson
Treasurer Trustee
John joined as treasurer and trustee in 2019. John has 10 years’ experience as a governor and treasurer in the UK education sector, and a degree in mathematics from the University of Bath.
Carol Sherman
Trustee
Carol has over 35 years’ experience working for international non-government organisations and joined Kanaama as a trustee in 2021.
Anne Maklan
Volunteer and Secretary to the Board
Anne has been a volunteer with Kanaama since 2012, and took on the roles of Secretary to the UK Board of Trustees and Donations Co-ordinator in 2014. She has a background in administration within international organisations.
Jenny Easton
Trustee
Jenny joined the board in June 2023. She brings experience in development programming and policy for Africa and small island developing states, gained at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Sara Hossain
Trustee
Sara joined the board of trustees in January 2024, bringing over eight years of experience in healthcare consultancy.
What Kanaama stands for
Kanaama believes lasting change happens when communities lead the way.
Our work in Kashare Sub-county is built on listening, partnership and long-term support that responds to real local priorities.
Rather than working in isolation, KICS brings together a volunteer-led UK team and an experienced local team in Uganda, working side by side to strengthen community-led development.