About Us
The Logo: A Symbol of Our Mission
Our logo is more than just a mark; it is a map of our impact across Kidera and Tororo. Dominated by the iconic Tororo Rock, it represents a landmark of hope visible across the entire district.
Each color tells a story of our key priorities:
Pink: Education (inspired by the Kidera Primary School uniform)
Yellow: Economic empowerment
Red: Healthcare and medical support
Green: Sustainable, modern agriculture
Blue: Clean water and renewable energy
Purple: Innovation and scaling to new villages
Every step between these projects is a journey of gathering knowledge, leading us all toward one shared goal: Building a Future at Home.
About Kidera: Building Resilience
In Kidera, a village in Eastern Uganda near the Kenyan border, approximately 5,000 people live in 1,200 households under the most challenging conditions.
Agricultural Empowerment: Over 3,500 residents are subsistence farmers. Women make up 60% of this workforce and often bear the sole responsibility for their families and children.
Investing in the Next Generation: With 1,200 young people aged 18–30, addressing high youth unemployment is our most urgent priority to prevent crime and provide a path forward.
A Foundation for Growth: We prioritize education, vocational training, and economic empowerment to provide the residents of Kidera with the skills they need to transform their own lives.
Our goal is simple: to create the opportunities and infrastructure necessary for a secure and prosperous future at home.
The Legacy of Sam and Norah Owori
The Sam Owori Projects are rooted in the vision of two extraordinary Rotarians: Sam F. Owori and his wife, Norah A. Owori. Born in the Tororo District of Eastern Uganda, they dedicated their lives to "Service Above Self," bringing hope and opportunity to their homeland.
A Lifetime of Rotary Leadership
Sam was a titan in the Rotary community, serving as President of the Rotary Club of Kampala, District Governor, and Trustee of The Rotary Foundation. At the time of his passing in July 2017, he was the Rotary International President-Elect, a testament to his global impact and high integrity.
Norah, a dedicated educator, walked alongside Sam in service for over 60 years. A longtime member of the Inner Wheel Club of Kampala and later the Rotary Club of Gaba, she championed the empowerment of women and girls - a cause that remains the heartbeat of our mission.
A Vision of Empowerment
Sam and Norah believed that the world’s poorest regions could be transformed by giving people the tools to improve their own lives. They chose Sam’s ancestral home, Kidera, as the site for this transformation.
Today, we honor their legacy by turning that vision into a holistic "Smart Village" model, ensuring that every resident has the skills, health, and opportunity to thrive at home.
"Service Above Self" – The heartbeat and the inspiration behind the Sam Owori Projects.
Doris
Judith
KIDERA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (KDF),
(founded in 2024)
The Driving Forces behind the Sam Owori Projects: Doris & Judith
The Sam Owori Projects were born from a shared vision and a profound commitment to service. While the inspiration traces back to the roots of Sam and Norah Owori in Kidera, the structural framework and the diverse initiatives we see today were initiated and built by Rotarians Dr. Doris Steinmüller-Nethl (RC Innsbruck Alpin) and Judith Köck (RC Kitzbühel) .
In 2021, they launched the mission to transform Kidera, later uniting their growing portfolio of projects under the name "The Sam Owori Projects" to honor the enduring legacy of the two late Rotarians - more details see timeline.
Strategic Leadership & Management: Dr. Doris Steinmüller-Nethl
As the lead manager and primary architect of the initiative, Doris oversees the project’s strategic development and daily operations. Leveraging her background as a physicist and high-tech entrepreneur, she manages the complex logistics and the extensive fundraising efforts required to turn ambitious ideas into reality.
From coordinating international grants to maintaining constant communication with the local teams in Kidera and Tororo, Doris ensures that every project - from the school farm to the skilling hub - is built on a foundation of professional excellence and transparency.
Creative Implementation:
Judith Köck
The leadership team is complemented by Judith, who grew up in South Africa and brings a deep, lifelong connection to the continent. As an interior designer specializing in high-end penthouses and boutique hotel projects, she applies her keen eye for design and structural planning to the mission. Judith ensures that the infrastructure in Kidera is not only functional and sustainable but also thoughtfully designed to meet the long-term needs of the community.
A Hands-On Partnership & Global Vision
Twice a year, Doris and Judith travel to Uganda to drive the projects forward on the ground. Together with Sam and Norah’s sons, Stephen and Daniel, they work directly with the 5,000 residents of Kidera and Tororo.
To ensure the sustainable implementation and management of these initiatives, the Kidera Development Foundation was established. This local foundation brings together the village's key stakeholders - including Emmanuel Ofumbi, Andrew Chrispin Othieno, Daniel Owori, Clement Opio, John Owori, Headteacher Godfrey Opano, Priest Paul Mugalya, and Wilberforce Kalenge.
Together, they act as the essential bridge between European support and local action, taking ownership of the projects to ensure long-term success.
Driven by the Rotary ideal of "Service Above Self," Doris and Judith are committed to the belief that saving our global future starts with empowering Africa. By providing the infrastructure and skills for self-sufficiency, they are turning the vision of a "Smart Village" into a reality.
Dedicated to transparent, high-impact development in Eastern Uganda.
Stephen
Daniel
Stephen and Daniel Owori:
The Next Generation
As the sons of Sam and Norah, Stephen and Daniel Owori are the essential local anchors of the mission. Since 2022, they have worked hand-in-hand with Doris and Judith to establish and implement the Sam Owori Projects, turning their parents' vision into a reality.
Stephen Owori: As Sam’s heir and Chairperson of the Samuel Owori Trust, Stephen brings a wealth of expertise in business administration and political science. With a career spanning the telecommunications giant MTN and the National Bureau for NGOs, he provides critical regulatory and strategic guidance. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Tororo Sam Owori.
Daniel Owori: With a background in international tourism and hospitality from Uganda and Switzerland, and experience teaching in China, Daniel brings a global perspective to the project. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Gaba - the same club where his mother, Norah, served.
Together, they bridge the gap between international support and local implementation. <
As they often say: "The first steps are the hardest, but many more will follow."
Rooted in family, driven by service.
Rotary in Action: A Global Network for Kidera
The Sam Owori Projects are a testament to the power of the global Rotary network. What began in 2022 with the Rotary Global Grant (GG2126019) "Kidera – Adopt a Village" has grown into a mission of holistic transformation.
Strategic Leadership & Financial Management
Under the international lead of RC Innsbruck Alpin and the dedicated management of Dr. Doris Steinmüller-Nethl, the club serves as the central engine for the mission.
As the Project Manager, Doris manages and oversees the strategic development, long-term financing, and operational execution of all initiatives. This includes the complex administration of funding from The Rotary Foundation (TRF), Global Grants, District Grants and from the Province of Tyrol (Land Tirol, Austria), as well as the coordination of core funding and personal contributions that ensure every project - from School Farm to Skilling Hubs - is built on a foundation of professional excellence.
A Powerful Collaborative Network
While RC Innsbruck Alpin provides the central management, this mission is strengthened by a broad network of partners who bring the vision to life:
Core Partner: RC Kitzbühel (Judith Köck) provides vital collaborative and financial support in international service and works actively with Doris on a hands-on basis.
Host & Local Support: In Uganda, RC Gaba (GG2126019) and RC Kampala (GG2462154) serve as the host clubs, supported by RC Tororo - Sam Owori.
Endorsement: We are proud to be supported by District 1920, District 9213, District 9214, District 1810 and many Rotary and Rotaract Clubs, to name a few of the most financially supporting: RC Bonn-Rheinbogen, Rotaract Kitzbühel, RC Wattens, RC Wörgl Brixental, RC Perg, RC Enns, RC Steyr, RC Zell am See, RC Grieskirchen.
Milestones of Collective Impact
Through a vibrant network of volunteers and fundraising events, we have turned vision into tangible change.
By uniting these resources under a professionally managed framework, we have made Kidera a brighter place - proving that when we work together, we build a foundation for life.
Building a Future at Home.
Partners and Supporters:
A Community of Impact
Our mission succeeds because of a powerful network of people and organizations working in harmony -both through financial support and hands-on dedication in the field.
To everyone who has stood by us:
A heartfelt thank you.
Our Deepest Gratitude
Our success belongs to an incredible community of supporters. This mission is only made possible by the generosity and "Service above Self" of so many dedicated individuals and partners.
Below, we honor the donors and cooperation partners who help make Kidera a brighter place (in alphabetical order):
