About
Since 1981, the African Food and Peace Foundation (AFPF), a U.S. 501(c) (3) based in the Greater Boston Area, has supported community-initiated rural development projects in partnership with the Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme (URDT) located in Kagadi, Uganda.
For over 40 years, together, we’ve empowered millions of girls, women, and youth in rural Uganda through innovative education, grassroots training, and community-led development.
Areas We Support
Improved equity, quality, and access to education for women and girls
Entrepreneurship through technical and vocational skills
Peace through advancements in health and social welfare, as well as Environmental sustainability.
Food security through improved agricultural practices
Our Development Partners
The Uganda Rural Development & Training Programme (URDT) was founded in 1987 to address the missing link in development programmes, the merger of: truly functional education; consciousness and conscience raising; skills training; rural development interventions with the intent of empowering marginalized people living in rural communities in Uganda.
URDT’s work exemplifies the power of pairing two fundamentals to transformation:
1) clear, structural thinking about the creative process, and
2) collaborative local action to fulfill the aspirations of individuals and their communities.
Our Unique Approach to Development - The Creative Process
Watch the 25 Award Winning trailer "The Uganda Project" by Robert Fritz and Reint Bakema. This is an inspiring feature documentary about the use of structural dynamics and the creative process in world development.
Robert Fritz, composer, filmmaker and organizational consultant is founder of Robert Fritz Inc. and author of the international bestseller The Path of Least Resistance.
During the past twenty-five years, over 80,000 people in 27 countries have participated in trainings created by Robert Fritz. His insights on the creative process and structural dynamics serve as the foundation of meaningful and lasting change for both individuals and organizations.
Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe Named Vice Chancellor of the Year
Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe, co-founder of the Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme (URDT) and Vice Chancellor of the African Rural University (ARU), has been honored with the Vice Chancellor of the Year Award by the London School of Digital Business (LSDB-UK).
The prestigious recognition was conferred during the LEAP 2025 – LSDB Educational Awards Programme, held on September 24 at the LSDB campus in London and streamed virtually to nominees across the globe. The awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the education sector, recognizing outstanding academicians, pioneers, rising stars, and change-makers who are redefining the future of learning.
Dr. Musheshe co-founded URDT in 1987 with a vision-driven, value-based approach to community development, helping to empower rural communities through education and transformative projects. Building on this success, he later established the African Rural University, where as Vice Chancellor he has championed practical and contextual education through programmes such as the “Technologies for Rural Transformation” degree. Read more..
Accountability, Transparency, Creativity
Educational Ecosystem
Award winning URDT Girls' School uses the 2 generation approach whereby students and their parents learn together, develop a shared vision for their home, analyze their current situation, apply systems thinking, team learning, plan together and learn new skills.
URDT Girls School
African Rural University Award of Excellence
African Rural University (ARU)-an all Women's University has received the Award of Excellence for Outstanding Non-Profit Contribution to the Community at the 4th Cycle of the Zairi International Awards for Excellence in Higher Education (2024–2025) held in Dubai on October 1, 2025.
It is the first of its kind in East Africa. Founded on 30 years of successful rural development work by the Uganda Rural Development Training Programme (URDT), ARU provides transformational education to create women leaders and change agents within an African development context.
Visionary Approach to Education
At the core of ARU’s model is the Visionary Approach. Unlike conventional models focused on solving problems, this approach emphasizes enabling communities/people create what they truly want.
Ready Work Opportunities for all students
Upon completion of their studies, All ARU graduates have ready work opportunities in rural transformation as Epicentre Managers with our Mother Organisation (URDT)
Community Transformation Ecosystem
Epicenter Strategy
ARU graduates may obtain post-graduate positions as Epicenter Managers, helping rural people identify projects to improve communities.
KKCR Community Radio
KKCR significantly transforms mindsets and knowledge, attracting over 3 million listeners.
Pupil Managed School Farms
Using a two-generation approach to education, the PMSFP aims to enhance income and nutrition for pupils in 22 primary schools in Kigali.
IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS
Be part of the Change!
Using the creative process and systems thinking, we train, teach, and support individuals in these target areas. It is gratifying to empower and impact the impoverished rural communities of Uganda.
We would love to welcome you into this community and connect you with high-quality projects that are transforming lives and creating lasting change.
Over 70,000
artisans - young women and men
40+
Proof of Concept, Impactful, Accountability, & Transparency of Funds.
+2K
Individual Friends, Supporters, & Partners from North America.
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