NU-CHO CBO (Northern Ugandan Community Health Organization), led by a team of three dedicated Ugandan doctors, is the driving force behind the local implementation of the NUVHOP project in Northern Uganda. Operating at the heart of the community, these medical professionals bring extensive expertise and a deep understanding of the region’s health challenges and opportunities.
Working in close partnership with the SANAH vzw and the broader NUVHOP membership, NUCHO CBO bridges local insight with international support. Together, they design and execute healthcare outreaches, educational activities, and the sustainable development of NUVHOP. Their collaboration ensures that every initiative is both effective and culturally attuned, empowering vulnerable populations and championing long-term change.
Dr. Isaac Okwada
Gulu, Uganda
Chairperson NU-CHO
Officer for NUV-HOP project 2025
My name is Dr. Isaac Okwada, and I’m an intern doctor at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. I’m also an alumnus of Gulu University School of Medicine, where I completed my studies from 2018 to 2023.
I was born and raised in Northern Uganda; a region that has been profoundly affected by the long civil war waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The war caused immense suffering, with millions of lives lost and countless families displaced, particularly in the Acholi and Lango subregions. Growing up amidst these challenges, I saw firsthand the impact of not only the conflict but also the limited access to healthcare in the region. The lack of medical facilities, long distances to the nearest health centres, and the high cost of treatment have left many people in dire need of medical care.
This reality deeply motivated me during my medical studies. I was driven by the urgent need to address the healthcare disparities between Northern Uganda and other regions of the country. During my first year of medical school in 2019, I joined the Northern Uganda village Health Outreach project (NUV-HOP) as a volunteer, where I contributed to providing much-needed healthcare services to underserved communities.
When COVID-19 disrupted the world in 2020, Nuv-Hop’s outreach programs were temporarily paused. However, in 2022, I took on a leadership role as the Project Outreach Coordinator, and by 2023, I became the Project Doctor for Uganda. In 2024, I had the privilege of becoming the sole Project Coordinator for Uganda, continuing the mission to bring healthcare to the people of Northern Uganda and overseeing all the NUV-Hop’s project in Uganda.
Later in 2024, I, Denis and Jasper together with Belgian team leads founded the Northern Uganda Community Health Organization (NU-CHO), an initiative aimed at supporting the existing healthcare system in Northern Uganda and providing essential primary healthcare services to the region’s most vulnerable populations. Currently, I serve as the Chairperson of NU-CHO, where we’re working tirelessly to improve healthcare access and infrastructure across the region.
I am deeply committed to making a positive impact on the health and well-being of the people in Northern Uganda, and I’m honoured to share my journey with you today. My goal is to continue advocating for equitable healthcare and to inspire others to join in the mission to build a healthier, more accessible healthcare system for all.
Thank you for, and I look forward to connecting with you!
Oryem Denis Amuku
Gulu University
General secretary NU-CHO
Officer for NUV-HOP project 2025
Hi there! My name is Denis, I am 33 years old, I am in my Fifth year Pursuing Bachelors of medicine and Bachelors of Surgery at Gulu University, Uganda. This is an upgrading course which I started after completing a diploma course to enhance my skills and offer better services to the patients I serve.
In 2023 and 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with NUV-HOP, a health outreach program dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare to the remote communities of northern Uganda. These communities, some located as far as 90-100 kilometers from the nearest hospital, often rely on basic healthcare providers at Health Center IIs, which frequently face drug supply shortages. As someone who hails from this region, where about 90% of the population are subsistence farmers, I understand firsthand the challenges they face in accessing both preventive and curative medicine. The prevalence of preventable communicable diseases in these areas further motivated me to be part of something greater than just myself, making NUV-HOP the perfect platform for my mission to serve the disadvantaged.
My journey with NUV-HOP led to the founding of a local Community-Based Organization (CBO), NU-CHO, where I was appointed as the General Secretary. This role allows me to focus on improving the health status of the local community with utmost dedication and passion. Volunteering has been my way of giving back the knowledge and skills I acquired from the University to my community.
During this period, I also had the pleasure of collaborating with Belgian medical students. Their hard work, commitment, and amazing teamwork left a lasting impression on me. I’m eager to continue working with them and feel like a part of their team forever. Volunteering with NUV-HOP has not only allowed me to make a difference in my community but also enriched my own life with unforgettable experiences and connections locally and internationally that I will forever treasure.
Jaspher Otim
Gulu University
Project coordinator NU-CHO
Officer for NUV-HOP project 2025
I am Jaspher, 35 years old male pursuing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Gulu University currently in my final year (year 5). I did a diploma in clinical medicine and community health prior to enrolment for my current studies.
NUV-HOP gave me the opportunity to serve the vulnerable community and sharing my clinical knowledge as well as learning from others. I am passionate about making a difference and am excited to be part of a team that provides unique services to those in need.
Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I enjoy staying active, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. I value the friendships I formed through NUV-HOP, particularly with the Belgian medical students, and appreciates the opportunities for experience sharing and collaboration. I am grateful for the skills and knowledge gained through involvement with NUVHOP and am eager to continue making a positive impact in the vulnerable communities.
I am excited to be part of the 2025 project and to continue working with the NUVHOP team. With my dedication, passion, and commitment to serving others, I am an inspiration to those around me, and volunteering with NUV-HOP make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable community members.
NUV-HOP 