Our Story
Founded by and for Karimojong pastoralists — how MADEFO began, what we stand for, and what we've learned in 26+ years of work in Karamoja.
Formed by the Karimojong civil society, for the Karimojong civil society
Matheniko Development Forum (MADEFO) was established in December 1998 as a local indigenous organization to support Karimojong pastoralists to improve their livelihoods. MADEFO is a legal entity registered with the National NGO Board in 2000 and with the Registrar of Companies in 2001.
The organization was formed as a response by the Karimojong civil society, experiencing many pressing issues affecting the Karimojong, specifically those living in Matheniko County of Moroto District. Among the issues underlying MADEFO's formation are pervasive poverty and livelihood insecurity, a low human development index, human rights violations resulting from violent armed conflict and the disarmament programme, the devastating state of the environment, and a high rate of illiteracy.
Today MADEFO is governed by a General Assembly and a seven-member, woman-led Board of Directors, with 13 full-time staff and 7 volunteers delivering programs across five districts in Karamoja.
Our Vision
An empowered Karimojong people living in a peaceful and poverty-free environment.
Our Mission
To strengthen the capacity of indigenous Karimojong to promote human rights in attaining and maintaining appropriate pastoral production strategies for sustainable livelihoods security and peaceful co-existence.
Our Values
- Justice and equity
- Trust and honesty
- Transparency and accountability
- Team spirit
- Community-driven development
- Zero tolerance to corruption
What we're working toward
Peace & Governance
Sustainable peace, human rights and good governance in Karamoja.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Supporting Associate Community Groups and improved livestock production and animal health.
Natural Resource Management
Improved provision of water for livestock and pastoral communities.
Institutional Capacity
Strengthening MADEFO's own capacity to deliver and sustain its programs.
Gender & Market Access
Mainstreaming gender, access to markets, and community-managed disaster risk reduction.
Networking & Advocacy
Lobbying and advocacy on common pastoral issues, alongside partner organizations.
What our approach has achieved
Real outcomes from working through pastoral traditional institutions rather than around them.
Cross-community reconciliation
Working with pastoral traditional institutions as an approach to peace building has resulted in peace between the Pokot, Tepeth and Matheniko communities on the Southern livestock corridor, and between the Matheniko and the Turkana.
VICOBA, PFS, CAHWs, CWU, NARUCs & VDCs
These community structures — Village Community Banks, Pastoralist Field Schools, Community Animal Health Workers, Community Water User Committees, Natural Resource Users' Councils, and Village Development Councils — have been pillars of every MADEFO project.
Community-led veterinary service delivery
Delivering animal health services through mobile pastoral communities is an approach appreciated by both communities and government.
From gun drop-outs to livestock traders
Groups of reformed warriors and gun drop-outs have been trained, linked to village banks, and facilitated into forming a livestock traders association.
Central & South Karamoja
MADEFO's core operating area is Matheniko County of Moroto District and Loroo sub-county in Amudat District — a semi-arid pastoralist livelihood zone covering Katikekile, Nadunget, Rupa and Tapach sub-counties, home to two Karimojong groups, the Tepeth and Matheniko.
Through human rights and peace-building programs, we also reach as far as Lorengedwat sub-county in Nakapiripirit District, Napak District, Kotido District, and across the border into Lodwar, Loima and West Pokot in Kenya.
Built on strong collaboration
We work closely with national and local government, academic institutions, and community structures, alongside these partners:
- VSF Belgium
- Oxfam NOVIB
- DANIDA / DIHR
- GIZ Ag Ploutos
- Concern Worldwide
- Welthungerhilfe (WHH)
- CordAid
- NGO Forum
- Riamiriam CSO
- Sasakawa Africa Association