A centre for the study of African giving.
Established by Makerere University and CivSource Africa, the Ukarimu Centre sits within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and works alongside the CivLegacy Foundation.
Ukarimu Centre · Kampala- Founded
- 2026
- Host
- Makerere University, CHUSS
- Practice partner
- CivSource Africa
- Based in
- Kampala, Uganda
Most African giving happens outside registered philanthropy
Ukarimu — generosity, hospitality, the obligation to give — describes practices older than the institutions that now try to measure them. Giving happens between neighbours, through burial societies, across diaspora corridors and within congregations. It is substantial, sustained, and largely absent from the data that shapes policy and funding.
The Centre was founded to close that gap, and to make the resulting knowledge freely available to scholars, policymakers and practitioners across the continent.
Vision and mission
Our vision
“A continent where African generosity is understood, valued and resourced on its own terms.”
Our mission
- ResearchRigorous, contextually grounded research on African philanthropy.
- CapacityBuild skills among researchers, practitioners and institutions.
- VoiceAmplify African perspectives in the global conversation on giving.
Six research themes
The team
Prof. Nakato Aisha
Director
Dr. Joseph Mwangi
Head of Research
Sarah Oketch
Programmes Lead
Mugula Abbey
Knowledge & Digital