To empower health workers to address local health problems in innovative ways in order to transform patient care and improve outcomes.
Walimu is a leading research and policy advocacy organization in Uganda.
Our team of over 150, all Ugandan, implements studies alongside a global team of research scientists and then scales successful interventions nationwide.
Walimu was founded in 2010 and incorporated as a NGO in Uganda in 2013. At the time, our founders were discovering effective methods for improving patient health; however, the traditional way that research was funded often meant these findings languished.
We got together and came up with a solution: an NGO that focused both on implementation science research (in other words, how to make things actually work) and on policy translation (leveraging science and relationships to get systems to change).
Through our experience working in Uganda over the decades, we learned that critical to the success of any project is centering health workers. Successful programs enhance the work health providers are already doing; they don’t seek to duplicate or replace it.
This philosophy permeates our work; our projects empower health workers with relevant knowledge, modern tools and uplifting work environments. We often use continuous quality improvement to achieve and sustain change.
Unlike traditional research management organizations, we have a policy translation goal for each project.
We primarily take on projects that both aim to improve patient care and have a path to scale through the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization or non-governmental partners. A limited number of projects are innovation-focused and a step removed from a direct policy goal.
Our philosophy is that a satisfactory endpoint for research is not a publication, but rather a change practices that ultimately improves patient outcomes.
We make decisions based on credible data, research, and real-world insights. We value learning and continuously apply evidence to improve our actions and outcomes.
We strive for the highest quality in everything we do. We are results-oriented, committed to delivering impactful and sustainable outcomes in health services, research, and community support.
We embrace creative thinking and fresh approaches. We are open to change, apply new ideas and leverage technology to solve problems, improve systems, and respond effectively to emerging challenges.
We act honestly, ethically, professionally, and transparently in every aspect of our work. We keep our promises, are accountable for our actions, and uphold the trust placed in us by our stakeholders.
We are committed to meaningful collaboration across our teams and with communities, government agencies, donors, universities, professional bodies, regulators, and all stakeholders. We foster respectful partnerships grounded in trust, transparency, and mutual accountability. Through shared responsibility and open engagement, we work collectively to achieve impactful and sustainable health outcomes.
We work together across departments and with external stakeholders. We support one another, communicate openly, and believe that our collective effort leads to greater impact.