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Email info@rootedwisdomafrica.org
Phone Number 1-720-491-1901
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1-720-491-1901 info@rootedwisdomafrica.org
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Staff

At Rooted Wisdom Africa, we champion local leadership, ownership, and a deep-rooted connection with the communities we serve. This commitment is reflected in our hiring practices, where preference is given to individuals from the region or those who have graduated from our programs. We firmly believe that decision-making should be guided by those most affected, tapping into the invaluable insights and experiences of individuals intimately acquainted with the community’s challenges and aspirations. This collaborative approach not only empowers our staff but also fosters a sense of ownership within the community, ensuring the success and sustainability of our programs.

Irene Kyalimpa
Programs Manager

As the organization’s Programs Manager in Uganda, Irene oversees on-the-ground activities. She designs strategies for new programs that help families become economically, socially, and environmentally self-sustainable. In keeping with Rooted Wisdom Africa’s guidelines, Irene manages the ethical compliance of all program activities, including confidentiality between schools, parents, communities, and students. With 15 years of NGO experience, Irene excels in program development, human resources, and training. Previously, she served with Mercy Corp and volunteered at SWEI Uganda. As a team leader at the Community Integrated Development Initiative and field operations manager at Lend A Hand Uganda, Irene navigated challenging environments, contributing to projects spanning health, nutrition, WASH, empowerment, and peacebuilding. Irene has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since January 2023.

Mulema Gerald
Program Officer
Gerald brings a unique blend of experience and skills to his Program Officer role at Rooted Wisdom Africa. With 17 years of hands-on farming experience under his belt and through his guidance, farmers are empowered to implement sustainable practices that positively impact their livelihoods and communities. Alongside his agronomic and agribusiness skills, he possesses excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, fostering meaningful connections with farmers and stakeholders. His training skills ensure that knowledge is effectively transferred, empowering farmers to implement best practices. Gerald holds a Certificate in Stenography and Secretarial Duties. Gerald has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since July 2023.
Kristy Hitchings
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Kristy provides leadership in developing programs, fundraising, and communications. She oversees all strategic and operational responsibilities of Rooted Wisdom Africa’s (RWA) staff and the execution of the organization’s mission, goals, and standards. Before joining RWA, Kristy worked in the international nonprofit sector for six years, focusing on entrepreneurship opportunities through community leadership and education. She has led over 16 vocational training programs and managed five nonprofit partners in the education and health sectors. While working on-site in India, Kristy helped to develop and implement a two-year Masters of Entrepreneur Program and has been a guest speaker in the classroom on topics of time management, goal setting, business etiquette, and employee development. Kristy has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since September 2015.
Jovia Apio
Bookkeeper
Jovia Apio is a finance professional with diverse experience supporting nonprofit programs and projects in resource-limited settings. Beyond her strong financial and grant management skills, she has actively contributed to initiatives improving access to quality education in post-conflict Northern Uganda, refugee response efforts, and Kingdom Business entrepreneurship. Her commitment to community development was shaped during her two-year Building Tomorrow Fellowship in Kiruhura, where she worked closely with caregivers, school leaders, and parents to boost school attendance and champion children’s rights. During this fellowship, she helped return over 200 out-of-school children to school, earning recognition from Akina Mama Wa Afrika and Forward UK through a grant she secured for a children’s rights awareness project. Jovia is also a proud participant in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) East Africa Regional Leadership Center, where she developed her leadership skills as a leader committed to transforming Africa. As a reliable steward of resources, Jovia combines financial expertise with hands-on program experience, ensuring projects are both well-managed and impactful.

As the organization’s Programs Manager in Uganda, Irene oversees on-the-ground activities. She designs strategies for new programs that help families become economically, socially, and environmentally self-sustainable. In keeping with Rooted Wisdom Africa’s guidelines, Irene manages the ethical compliance of all program activities, including confidentiality between schools, parents, communities, and students. With 15 years of NGO experience, Irene excels in program development, human resources, and training. Previously, she served with Mercy Corp and volunteered at SWEI Uganda. As a team leader at the Community Integrated Development Initiative and field operations manager at Lend A Hand Uganda, Irene navigated challenging environments, contributing to projects spanning health, nutrition, WASH, empowerment, and peacebuilding.Irene has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since January 2023.

Gerald brings a unique blend of experience and skills to his Program Officer role at Rooted Wisdom Africa. With 17 years of hands-on farming experience under his belt and through his guidance, farmers are empowered to implement sustainable practices that positively impact their livelihoods and communities. Alongside his agronomic and agribusiness skills, he possesses excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, fostering meaningful connections with farmers and stakeholders. His training skills ensure that knowledge is effectively transferred, empowering farmers to implement best practices. Gerald holds a Certificate in Stenography and Secretarial Duties. Gerald has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since July 2023.

As Executive Director, Kristy provides leadership in developing programs, fundraising, and communications. She oversees all strategic and operational responsibilities of Rooted Wisdom Africa’s (RWA) staff and the execution of the organization’s mission, goals, and standards. Before joining RWA, Kristy worked in the international nonprofit sector for six years, focusing on entrepreneurship opportunities through community leadership and education. She has led over 16 vocational training programs and managed five nonprofit partners in the education and health sectors. While working on-site in India, Kristy helped to develop and implement a two-year Masters of Entrepreneur Program and has been a guest speaker in the classroom on topics of time management, goal setting, business etiquette, and employee development. Kristy has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since September 2015.

Jovia Apio is a finance professional with diverse experience supporting nonprofit programs and projects in resource-limited settings. Beyond her strong financial and grant management skills, she has actively contributed to initiatives improving access to quality education in post-conflict Northern Uganda, refugee response efforts, and Kingdom Business entrepreneurship. Her commitment to community development was shaped during her two-year Building Tomorrow Fellowship in Kiruhura, where she worked closely with caregivers, school leaders, and parents to boost school attendance and champion children’s rights. During this fellowship, she helped return over 200 out-of-school children to school, earning recognition from Akina Mama Wa Afrika and Forward UK through a grant she secured for a children’s rights awareness project. Jovia is also a proud participant in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) East Africa Regional Leadership Center, where she developed her leadership skills as a leader committed to transforming Africa. As a reliable steward of resources, Jovia combines financial expertise with hands-on program experience, ensuring projects are both well-managed and impactful.

Jane Agnes Najjuma
Project Manager
As a seasoned Project Manager at Rooted Wisdom Africa, Jane Agnes is spearheading the development of the forthcoming Community Empowerment Centre in Byanjiri, Lwengo District. With her expertise in construction management, she oversees infrastructure development, procurement, budget management, and timeline coordination, ensuring project success from inception to completion. With over seven years of experience in construction management, Jane Agnes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her strong leadership skills and attention to detail enable her to manage quality works, budgets, and timelines effectively. Jane Agnes’s passion for community development is rooted in her university days, where she served as a Projects Coordinator for three years. She successfully initiated, planned, fundraised, and executed various projects that positively impacted those most vulnerable. Jane Agnes has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since August 2025.
Kansiime Ziadah
Agricultural Officer
Kansiime Ziadah is an Agricultural Officer with a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), where she studied agriculture. Passionate about helping rural communities thrive, she trains farmers in practical skills such as soil and water management, pest control, and crop diversification. Through her use of demonstration gardens, farmers gain hands-on experience and confidence to apply new techniques on their own farms. Her patient and supportive approach has led to stronger harvests, higher household incomes, and greater food security across the communities she serves. Guided by the saying, “Little by little, you eventually reach far,” Ziadah believes that consistent learning and effort bring lasting transformation. She has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since July 2025.

As a seasoned Project Manager at Rooted Wisdom Africa, Jane Agnes is spearheading the development of the forthcoming Community Empowerment Centre in Byanjiri, Lwengo District. With her expertise in construction management, she oversees infrastructure development, procurement, budget management, and timeline coordination, ensuring project success from inception to completion. With over seven years of experience in construction management, Jane Agnes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her strong leadership skills and attention to detail enable her to manage quality works, budgets, and timelines effectively. Jane Agnes’s passion for community development is rooted in her university days, where she served as a Projects Coordinator for three years. She successfully initiated, planned, fundraised, and executed various projects that positively impacted those most vulnerable. Jane Agnes has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since August 2025.

Kansiime Ziadah is an Agricultural Officer with a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), where she studied agriculture. Passionate about helping rural communities thrive, she trains farmers in practical skills such as soil and water management, pest control, and crop diversification. Through her use of demonstration gardens, farmers gain hands-on experience and confidence to apply new techniques on their own farms. Her patient and supportive approach has led to stronger harvests, higher household incomes, and greater food security across the communities she serves. Guided by the saying, “Little by little, you eventually reach far,” Ziadah believes that consistent learning and effort bring lasting transformation. She has been working with Rooted Wisdom Africa since July 2025.