About
BBF was born from lived experience. In 2013, during field research in Uganda’s Busoga region, the founder – Joel Kigenyi – encountered an expectant mother relying on a traditional birth attendant. Her struggle for care amid medicine shortages, staff neglect, and system failures sparked a profound call to action.
This emotional encounter turned academic research into a mission. Supported by a Go-Aide scholarship and guided by years of reflection and planning, the foundation was laid first in spirit, then in structure. BBF emerged not from conference rooms, but from community cries for help
What is in the name?
“In the Lusoga language, Bulamu means “life,” and Bukondhe comes from kukondha—“to winnow.” This reflects our purpose: to separate suffering from health, to purify broken systems, and to uplift communities.
BBF stands for “Life Refined,” where we aim to winnow
out suffering and injustice, and bring forth the true grain of wellbeing. ”.
Our Core Values
Ethics and Professionalism
We are committed to the highest ethical standards in all our interactions and operations. Our team adheres to professional best practices, ensuring accountability, transparency, and respect in everything we do. This commitment builds trust with the communities we serve, our partners, and our supporters..
Good Stewardship
We recognize the responsibility entrusted to us to manage resources effectively and efficiently. We are dedicated to the responsible use of all financial, human, and material resources to maximize our impact and ensure the sustainability of our programs. We strive for transparency and accountability in our resource management.
Innovation
We embrace creativity and continuous improvement in our approach to healthcare, economic empowerment, and education. We actively seek and implement innovative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by the communities we serve, always striving for more effective and impactful interventions.
Integrity
Honesty, transparency, and unwavering moral principles are at the heart of all our endeavors. We believe in building trust through our consistent actions and commitment to doing what is right, even in the face of challenges. Integrity guides our relationships with patients, partners, staff, and the wider community.
Ground Breaking – LAMU Medical Centre
Lamu Medical Centre for Reconstructive and Global Surgery is BBF’s flagship project. Located 14 kilometers outside Jinja town, Lamu opened its doors in March 2022. Since then, it has become a beacon of healing, delivering safe, life-changing surgical interventions.
What we do as BBF
HEED = Health – Economic Empowerment – Education
Health – Comprehensive medical and surgical care with a focus on plastic and reconstructive surgery
Economic empowerment – Community based health insurance + vocational training
Education – innovative training programs for healthcare professionals-surgeons, midwives, nurses and more
Our Origin Story
BBF was born from lived experience. In 2013, during field research in Uganda’s Busoga region, the founder Joel Kigenyi encountered an expectant mother relying on a traditional birth attendant. Her struggle for care—amid medicine shortages, staff neglect, and system failures—sparked a profound call to action.
This emotional encounter turned academic research into a mission. Supported by a Go-Aide scholarship and guided by years of reflection and planning, the foundation was laid—first in spirit, then in structure. BBF emerged not from conference rooms, but from community cries for help or from a community in need.
From Vision to Impact:
LAMU Medical Centre for Reconstructive and Global Surgery is BBF’s flagship project. Located 14 kilometers outside Jinja town, Lamu opened its doors in March 2022. Since then, it has become a beacon of healing, delivering safe, life-changing surgical interventions and maternal care to thousands.
A Sustainable Approach
We believe in capacity building for long-term impact. By partnering international specialists with local professionals, we ensure that skills are transferred and sustained, creating a healthcare model that thrives long after outside teams leave.
Why It Matters
Globally, billions lack access to life-saving surgical services. In Busoga, Uganda, preventable suffering due to diseases, trauma and congenital anomalies continues. While 35% of the world’s population lives in areas like ours, only 3.5% receive the surgical care they need. BBF exists to change that. Every donation, every partnership, every trained nurse rewrites the story of suffering into testimonies of hope!.
Governance & Structure
BBF operates under a board of three directors, who appoint an oversight board to supervise operations. We are a registered NGO with a transparent governance model and strong accountability to our community and partners.
Kigenyi Joel
Founder
Milly Namukose
Co-founder
Nkumbo James
Co-Founder