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We believe the participation and representation of minority and indigenous voices is essential for a well-functioning society.

Minority Rights Group Africa (MRGA) was established in 2003 in Kampala, Uganda, as an independent organization under the wider Minority Rights Group family. An Advisory Committee guides us with members from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, and we are currently considering new members from West Africa and Southern Africa. We aim to promote and protect the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples, mainly across Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Our work addresses the marginalization of primarily ethnic, but also religious and linguistic minority and indigenous communities by amplifying their voices to influence policy change and advocating for their access to education, health, water, housing, income and decent work, and their inclusion in society. Our work falls within five thematic areas: education and health, land rights and legal empowerment, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, climate change, and capacity and institutional strengthening. Additionally, we operate with an intersectional lens, paying particular attention to how multiple and intersecting identities shape the lives of minorities and indigenous peoples in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Since 2003, our accomplishments include supporting over 1,000 minority and indigenous rights activists in developing their capacity, successfully litigating the landmark land rights of the Ogiek of Mau, investigating human rights violations against the Batwa of Kahuzi-Biega, producing authoritative publications and continuously advocating to secure long-lasting changes for minority and indigenous communities. We led the establishment of the Indigenous Minority Group (IMG), a coalition of Ugandan organisations working with indigenous peoples and in constructive engagement with government departments. We are also members of the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) and the International Land Coalition.  

As our work expands, so does our presence. We are closely connected to regional and international human rights mechanisms. To maintain a dialogue with influential actors, our work is supported by colleagues in Gambia close to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in Brussels close to EU institutions and in Geneva close to UN agencies. Our network of regional correspondents also includes a Southern Africa advisor based in Namibia.

15

countries

we have worked in

24

communities

we have supported

60

civil society organizations

we have partnered with

Our staff

  • Agnes Kabajuni

    Managing Director

    Agnes is MRG’s Africa Regional Manager. She has over 16 years of experience in the field of human rights.

    Billy Rwothungeyo

    Africa Media Officer

    Billy is the Media Officer (Africa) with MRG, based in the Africa Regional Office.

    Bob Mbabazi

    Programme Assistant

    Bob Mbabazi, from Uganda, joined MRG as part of the Disparity to Dignity project and now works on the related ‘Realizing Rights for All’ project in Uganda and Rwanda.

    Christine Apio

    Finance and Administration Officer

    Christine is MRG Africa’s Finance and Administration Officer.

    Daphine Kansiime

     Finance & Administration Assistant

    Eunice Olembo

    Africa Legal Officer

    Eunice Olembo joined MRG in July 2018 as the Advocacy Officer Kenya in the landmark African Court ruling on the Ogiek Case.

    Fatma Mohamed

    East Africa Programme Assistant

    Fatma is our Kenya and Ethiopia Programme assistant. She has over five years of professional experience.

    Felicien Balikunda

    Capacity Building Officer

    Felicien joined MRG in July 2011 as Programme Assistant in the Kampala Office. He is now working as Capacity Building Officer.

    Geoffrey Kerosi

    East Africa Health Education Coordinator

    Geoffrey coordinates health and education projects in East Africa.

    Geofrey Sabiiti

    Africa Conflict Project Coordinator

    Geofrey has ten years of experience working with International organizations on human rights protection, gender and advocacy programming.

    Jude Ssebuliba

    Partnerships Officer MRGA

    Jude has a wealth of experience in building and sustaining partnerships and advocating for the rights of the poor, marginalized and neglected in society.

    Samuel Ade Ndasi

    African Union Advocacy and Litigation Officer

    Samuel is a Senior Legal Practitioner and a human rights expert and has been a lecturer of International Human Rights Law at the University of The Gambia.

    Zoubida Berrada

    EMMAP Media Project Assistant

    Zoubida is a Media Project Assistant for the ‘Engaging Minorities and Media to Act for Peacebuilding‘ (EMMAP) programme in West Africa.

Featured resources

Recent publications

Recent films

Our current programmes

Lydia Liyio, an Ogiek activist speaks at a bootcamp for activists from the Ogiek of Mau and Elgon and the Endorois from Baringo on social movement building for minority and indigenous communities in Elementaita, Nakuru County in Kenya. Credit: Billy Rwothungeyo/MRG

Journalists from Ghana, Senegal and Sierra Leone (participants of the EMMAP programme) interviewing in Casamance, Senegal. Credit: Karol Grygoruk

Journalist Gerald Matembu (right) interviewing two Benet women— Rael Kokop (left) and her daughter, Scovia Chelengat (middle), in Kween district, eastern Uganda. Credit: Billy Rwothungeyo/MRG

Christine Kandie (right), director of the Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network talks to Annamari Tornikoski (left), a representative of the MFA Finland, at a meeting under an MRG programme. Credit: MRG

MRG team members Zoubida Berrada, Geoffrey Sabiiti and Anna Alboth on a field trip in southern Senegal. Credit: MRG

  • Our strategy

    We work with ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and indigenous peoples to secure their rights and promote understanding between communities.

  • Stories

    Discover the latest insights from our global network of staff, partners and allies.

  • Events

    Join us for insightful discussions at webinars, screenings, exhibitions and more.