Who We Are - TODFCO
Together for Disaster Free Communities (TODFCO) is a not-for-profit Community-Based Organization operating in Kawempe Division, Kampala, Uganda. Established in 2023, TODFCO was founded in response to the recurring floods and increasing disaster risks affecting Bwaise Parish and surrounding communities.
We work directly with community members to strengthen their capacity to understand disaster risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and respond effectively when disasters occur. Our approach emphasizes prevention, preparedness, and long-term resilience rather than emergency reaction.
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Gender and Flood Resilience
Floods in Bwaise Parish, within Kawempe Division, affect women and men in different ways. Women and girls often face increased risks during floods, including limited access to safe sanitation, higher caregiving burdens, and greater exposure to health and protection challenges. Men, on the other hand, may encounter heightened pressure to secure income and protect household assets in dangerous conditions.
At Together for Disaster Free Communities (TODFCO), we recognize that effective flood response must address these gendered realities. Our plans prioritize gender-sensitive approaches that ensure women, men, and vulnerable groups are meaningfully involved in preparedness, response, and recovery. By integrating gender perspectives into community actions, TODFCO works to strengthen inclusive resilience and ensure that flood solutions in Bwaise support the safety, dignity, and needs of all residents.
Our Impact
Making a measurable difference in community resilience
Our Approach
Practical, community-led solutions for disaster resilience
Community Drainage Improvement
Monthly drainage clearing campaigns to remove plastic waste, silt, and debris blocking water channels.
Household Flood Protection
Raising doorsteps, using sandbags, elevating household items, and improving rainwater diversion.
Early Warning Systems
Localized early warning using mobile networks, notice boards, and community leaders for timely alerts.
Disaster Preparedness Training
Regular workshops on flood risk mapping, evacuation procedures, first aid, and emergency response.
Featured Programs
Comprehensive solutions for disaster resilience
Disaster Risk Reduction
Structured community education on disaster risk identification, risk mapping, and preparedness planning.
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Flood Preparedness
Strengthening household-level preparedness and community-based response mechanisms for flood emergencies.
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Climate Protection
Environmental awareness and climate adaptation strategies to reduce disaster vulnerability.
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Community Capacity Building
Training youth volunteers, engaging community leaders, and equipping households with disaster preparedness skills.
Learn MoreHow We Work
Our systematic approach to building disaster resilience
Community Awareness
Educating communities about disaster risks and prevention strategies through workshops and outreach.
Risk Mapping
Identifying and mapping high-risk areas to prioritize interventions and allocate resources effectively.
Training
Building local capacity through disaster preparedness training, emergency response drills, and skill development.
Emergency Response
Rapid mobilization of volunteers and resources to assist affected communities during disaster events.
Recovery
Supporting communities to rebuild and recover while strengthening resilience for future disasters.
Disaster Management Cycle
"Water is life - if you are not living in Bwaise."
A disaster is a sudden accident or natural catastrophe that causes great damage or loss of life. At the May 2026 Bwaise conference, community members mapped out the full cycle of how to manage flood disasters in their neighbourhood.
Mitigation
Community Sensitization
- Clearing of streams and drainage channels
- Elevating buildings above flood levels
- Improving Komera drainage and emptying for children's safety
Preparedness
- Elevating doors to flood-safe levels
- Installing excess windows for emergency exit
- Using timber supplements (Mukoko) to reinforce structures
Response
- Placing animals and children together on elevated beds during floods
- Immediate community mobilisation to protect the most vulnerable
Recovery
- Widening drainage channels to prevent future flooding
- Rebuilding and reinforcing flood-damaged structures
⚠ Challenges Identified
- Illnesses linked to flood contamination
- Poor sanitation - no adequate public toilets
- Only 3 public toilets serving the entire area
- Poor urban planning in flood-prone zones
✅ Community Recommendations
- Establish council committees for disaster oversight
- Connect sewerage from Mboogo & Kawempe Hospital
- Remove sand and debris from the Bwaise stream
- Strengthen cooperation between local councils
- Revive community work (Bulungi Bwansi)
- Form ad-hoc committees for rapid response
- Ensure construction costs are not borne by citizens alone
Community Engagement & Participation
TODFCO works with communities, not for them - every resident is a partner in building resilience
Stakeholder Engagement
Bringing together leaders, residents, and partners
Community Sensitization
Educating residents on flood risks and prevention
Youth Participation
Young people leading change in their communities
Women in Resilience
Empowering women as flood resilience champions
Building Resilient Communities Together
Every community member who joins TODFCO's programs becomes a multiplier - sharing what they learn with neighbours, taking local action, and helping build a culture of preparedness that keeps the whole community safer.
Flood Assessment & Field Inspections
TODFCO conducts regular on-ground assessments to understand flood vulnerabilities and guide targeted interventions
Evidence-Based Disaster Response
TODFCO's field inspection teams walk through Bwaise's most flood-prone zones to document conditions, identify drainage blockages, assess household vulnerabilities, and map high-risk areas. This evidence directly informs our programs and advocacy.
During the May 2026 outreach, inspections covered five zones across Bwaise Parish, revealing critical drainage bottlenecks and identifying over 200 households at high risk during heavy rainfall events.
Community Voices from Bwaise
Real stories from the people TODFCO serves - their words, their experiences, their resilience
"Water is life when you are not living in Bwaise."
Community Outreach, May 2026
"If it were not for floods, Bwaise would be the richest place in Uganda. Every time it rains, floods cause losses that consume much of our income during recovery."
Community Outreach, May 2026
"TODFCO helped our community reduce flooding through drainage clearing. Now when it rains heavily, the water recedes much faster and our homes stay safer."
Bwaise Resident
"The disaster preparedness training gave me confidence. Now I know what to do when floods come, and I can help my neighbours too."
Community Volunteer
"TODFCO's approach of working with the community rather than for us has made all the difference. We own the solutions now."
Community Leader
"Before TODFCO came, we didn't know how to prepare. Now every family in our zone has an emergency plan. That knowledge is priceless."
Mother of Three, Bwaise
Our Partners
Working together for disaster resilient communities
Join Us in Building Disaster Resilient Communities
Together, we can create safer, stronger communities prepared for any disaster