Ugandan NGO named finalist for 2026.ORG Impact Awards in Washington, DC
“This recognition belongs not only to Love Binti International, but also to the Government of Uganda, our local communities, development partners, and every supporter who has walked this journey with us,” Chao said.
Some of the NGO initiatives is skilling young girls on making reusable pads. The NGO was named finalist for 2026.ORG Impact Awards set to take place in Washington DC in October 2026. (Credit: Aloysious Kasoma)
A Ugandan-based non-governmental organisation, Love Binti International (LBI), has been named among the top five finalists in the Community Building category of the 2026.ORG Impact Awards, putting the organisation on the international stage for its work in community development.
On Tuesday, LBI announced that the Kabalagala-based NGO was selected from 4,242 entries submitted by organisations around the world, with only 35 finalists chosen across seven award categories.
The organisation will represent Uganda at the global awards ceremony scheduled for October 6, 2026, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., United States.
The other finalists in the Community Building category are Azuko, working in the United Kingdom and Bangladesh; One Village Partners from Sierra Leone; Techo, which operates across Latin America; and Sparkle Foundation from Malawi.
LBI was recognised for its community-centred development work in Uganda, particularly initiatives focused on safe water, sanitation and hygiene, women's economic empowerment, education, agriculture, renewable energy and sustainable development.
Uganda is the organisation's primary operational base in Africa, where it works with government agencies, local governments, universities, schools, community leaders and local organisations.
Its interventions include borehole construction and rehabilitation, rainwater harvesting, WASH programmes, vocational and youth training, food security initiatives, renewable energy projects, community infrastructure development and local leadership capacity building.
Isaac Chao, co-founder and Africa director of Love Binti International, said the recognition was a reflection of the collective efforts of communities and partners.
“This recognition belongs not only to Love Binti International, but also to the Government of Uganda, our local communities, development partners, and every supporter who has walked this journey with us,” Chao said.
Some of the NGO initiatives is skilling young girls on making reusable pads. The NGO was named finalist for 2026.ORG Impact Awards set to take place in Washington DC in October 2026. (Credit: Aloysious Kasoma)
He said sustainable development requires empowering communities with the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to determine their own future.
Chao added that the organisation hopes to use the Washington event to showcase Uganda's progress in community development while building partnerships that could support its programmes across the country.
As part of the finalist recognition, LBI will receive a $2,500 grant, round-trip international airfare and accommodation for two representatives, as well as access to the global awards ceremony and international networking events.
LBI's Hibiscus Tropical Mint Herbal Infusion, made from hibiscus, pineapple, spearmint and corn silk grown at the Sustainable Demonstration Farm located in Kagulu. Mpunge subcounty, Mukono district, won Gold at the 2026 Excellent Taste Awards in London.
The award marked LBI's first entry and win in an international taste competition.
The organisation said its team spent more than a year sourcing and growing quality ingredients through its demonstration farm and partner farmers in Mukono, followed by months of testing different ingredient combinations before settling on the final blend.
Neema Dumo, a research associate at LBI involved in developing the recipe, said the process required extensive experimentation.
“It took us months just to find out what ingredient goes with what. When we finally found it, we knew - that was the moment,” she said.
Chao said the two international recognitions demonstrate how locally developed initiatives can gain global attention.
“This isn’t just Love Binti’s award,” he said. “We want to share this honour with all the people of Uganda - not only the joy of this award-winning tea, but its ingredients and recipe too.”
Love Binti International describes itself as a global NGO dedicated to developing sustainable solutions to socio-economic and environmental challenges affecting women and girls in rural African communities.