PEACE & DEVELOPMENT

our staff

UGANDA

Dr. Hatim Elamin

Country Director - Uganda

Dr. Hatim Elamin is a distinguished academic, researcher, and international development professional with more than two decades of experience in higher education, environmental management, institutional leadership, and community development. He possesses extensive expertise in remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), natural resource management, tropical forestry, climate resilience, and sustainable development. His career combines academic excellence with practical leadership in designing and implementing programmes that promote environmental sustainability, institutional capacity building, youth empowerment, and community resilience across Africa.
... Read More Dr. Elamin holds a Ph.D. in the application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Natural Resource Management from the University of Kordofan, Sudan, a Master of Science in Tropical Forestry Management from the Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden), Germany, and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry Sciences from the University of Khartoum, Sudan. His academic background has provided a strong foundation for advancing innovative, science-based solutions to environmental and development challenges. He began his academic career at the University of Kordofan, where he served as a lecturer before becoming Head of the Department of Gum Arabic and Desertification Studies. In this capacity, he led research initiatives on combating desertification, sustainable land management, natural resource conservation, and climate adaptation while mentoring students and strengthening the University's research capacity. He later served as Director of External Relations, where he successfully expanded institutional partnerships, promoted international collaboration, and strengthened engagement with government agencies, development partners, and academic institutions. Between 2019 and 2023, Dr. Elamin served as a Technical Specialist for Youth Development and Community Engagement with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). In this role, he supported university-led development programmes across Africa, promoting youth entrepreneurship, agricultural innovation, community engagement, institutional capacity strengthening, and sustainable livelihood initiatives through partnerships with universities, governments, and international development organizations. Currently, Dr. Elamin serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Sciences at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU). He also serves as Director of Endowment (2023–2026), providing strategic leadership in institutional resource mobilization, partnership development, fundraising, and the implementation of sustainable development initiatives that strengthen the University's long-term growth and impact. An accomplished researcher and scholar, Dr. Elamin has authored more than twenty-five peer-reviewed scientific publications in internationally recognized journals covering natural resource management, forestry, environmental sustainability, GIS and remote sensing applications, climate change, and community development. His research has contributed significantly to advancing evidence-based policies and practical solutions for sustainable environmental management and rural development. As the Country Director for Uganda at the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), Dr. Hatim Elamin provides strategic leadership for the organization's programmes, partnerships, and institutional development within Uganda and the broader East African region. His extensive experience in academic leadership, environmental sustainability, resource mobilization, programme management, and international collaboration strengthens DPDO's mission to promote peace, sustainable development, environmental resilience, education, and community empowerment for vulnerable and conflict-affected populations.

Naglaa Mustafa Ahmed Almustafa

Senior Programme Manager

Naglaa Mustafa Ahmed Almustafa is a seasoned humanitarian and development professional with more than eleven years of progressive experience in peacebuilding, governance, humanitarian response, women's empowerment, and durable solutions for conflict-affected communities. She has extensive experience managing complex programmes within the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), national NGOs, government institutions, and international development partners. Her expertise spans programme design and implementation, conflict-sensitive programming, community stabilization, livelihoods, climate resilience, institutional capacity building, monitoring and evaluation (MEAL), donor compliance, and strategic partnership development.
... Read More Throughout her career, Naglaa has successfully led large-scale humanitarian and recovery programmes supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, women, youth, and vulnerable communities across Sudan. During her tenure with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), she managed emergency response and early recovery initiatives, including climate-resilient housing, Cash-for-Work programmes, flood response, and community stabilization projects while ensuring compliance with UNDP standards and donor requirements. She has also held executive leadership positions with Green Dream Organization and Hope and Friendship for Development Organization, where she established strong institutional systems, strengthened organizational governance, expanded strategic partnerships, and successfully managed multidisciplinary teams and complex development programmes. Naglaa possesses extensive experience in donor-funded programming through partnerships with UNDP, the European Union (EU), FAO, USAID, and the International Labour Organization (ILO). She has successfully overseen programme planning, budget management, grant implementation, monitoring and evaluation, risk management, and coordination with government authorities, civil society organizations, and international agencies. Her technical expertise includes women's leadership and economic empowerment, governance, social cohesion, food security, livelihoods, community resilience, and conflict prevention, making her a valuable asset in designing and implementing sustainable development and peacebuilding initiatives. She holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Khartoum and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Gezira. She has further strengthened her professional expertise through advanced training in project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, trauma-informed peacebuilding, gender mainstreaming, entrepreneurship development, climate resilience, community mobilization, and leadership development. As Senior Programme Manager with the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), Naglaa provides strategic leadership in programme development, implementation, partnership management, and institutional strengthening. Her extensive field experience, technical expertise, and commitment to empowering conflict-affected communities significantly enhance DPDO's capacity to deliver high-quality, evidence-based programmes that promote peace, resilience, good governance, and sustainable development across Sudan and the wider region.

Precious(Maryam) Ahumuza

Assistant Manager

Maryam Ahumuza is a dedicated Ugandan professional serving as Assistant Manager in Kampala, Uganda. She has over two years of experience working in a children's home, where she supported child welfare, caregiving, and community engagement initiatives. In her current role, Maryam assists with administrative operations, program coordination, and organizational management. She is known for her strong work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children and communities.
... Read More Nationality: Ugandan
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Position: Assistant Manager

Dr.Hamed Aamer Byamugyenzi

Director of Programs

Hamed Aamer Byamugyenzi is a Ugandan academic and senior university administrator. He holds a PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences from Makerere University, along with a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences. He has served in several academic and leadership roles, including Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Director of Protocol, and Dean of Admissions and Registration at Equator University of Science and Technology. He is currently the Director of the Office of Relations at the Islamic University in Uganda, responsible for international relations and protocol with OIC member states.
... Read More Hamed has represented his institutions in international conferences with the United Nations, African Union, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, contributing to academic diplomacy and institutional partnerships.
Nationality: Uganda Location: Kampala
Position: Director of Programs
Education: PhD. in Humanities and Social Sciences from Makerere University

Dr. Sabah Al-Shabebi (UAE)

Board Member

Dr. Sabah holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Sanaa University, Republic of Yemen. She is a certified obstetrician and gynecologist by the Jordanian Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Arab Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to her current role as Deputy Director of the Modern Medicine Center, she served as an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at the Dubai Health Authority, Director General of Sharjah City Medical Center, and Medical Director of the National Center of Modern Medicine. Dr. Sabah is a member of the Emirates Medical Association and currently serves as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Consulting and Training Group (Five and One Training Centre) within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Additionally, she is the Chairman of KENZEL FACILITY MANAGEMENT within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Dr. Sabah’s extensive experience and leadership in the medical industry make her a valuable asset to our DPDO organization.

Shiri Kalai

Assistant of programs

Shiri Kalai is an MSPH student in the Social and Behavioral Interventions program for International Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is completing her practicum with HEAL. In addition to joining the HEAL team, Shiri works with Key Point Health Services helping children in Baltimore City and County with their mental health symptom and behavioral management. She is anative Spanish speaker and is excited to work with Darfur Peace and Development to provide humanitarian relief to those in need!

Maisoon Ateem

Deputy Director of Health Program

Maisoon Ateem, Deputy Director of Health Program Maisoon has over 10 years of experience working in the field of public and global health. She graduated from Johns Hopkins Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Global Health Planning and Management and studied as an undergraduate in Sudan. Upon her graduation with a BA in Medical Science from Sudan University of Science and Technology, she worked for the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) among other UN agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Sudan and the USA. Her focus was conflict-affected populations in particular women and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) with special attention on survivors of sexual violence and people living with HIV/AIDs. She has been involved in all stages of emergency and reproductive health design and implementation and dedicates her career to bridging access to quality healthcare at the community and individual levels. A strong advocate for education, Maisoon works to integrate various aspects of her practical and personal experience into helping to make the world a better place for all.

Susan Burgess-lent

Vice President & Director of Operation

Ms. Burgess-Lent began her career in humanitarian relief and development in 1994 and has worked extensively in East Africa. She is the former Program Director of Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), responsible for the funding and operation of Kassab Women’s Center, the model on which WCI’s work is based. She previously served as a consultant to the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIF), InterAction, CEPDA, and on staff at the American Red Cross International Services. In 2019, she published the non-fiction book Trouble Ahead: Dangerous Missions with Desperate People, about her work in Africa. She has presented speeches for many organizations about the impact of war and poverty on women, and solutions that can be implemented for their benefit.

Dr. Sabah Al-Shabebi

Board Member

Dr. Sabah holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Sanaa University, Republic of Yemen. She is a certified obstetrician and gynecologist by the Jordanian Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Arab Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to her current role as Deputy Director of the Modern Medicine Center, she served as an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at the Dubai Health Authority, Director General of Sharjah City Medical Center, and Medical Director of the National Center of Modern Medicine. Dr. Sabah is a member of the Emirates Medical Association and currently serves as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Consulting and Training Group (Five and One Training Centre) within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Additionally, she is the Chairman of KENZEL FACILITY MANAGEMENT within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Dr. Sabah’s extensive experience and leadership in the medical industry make her a valuable asset to our DPDO organization.

Cindy Castano

Treasure - Board of Directors

Cindy Castano is the president of Alpha Management Group, Inc. (AMG), which is an organization that focuses on business development, management and documentary film production. She has 30 years’ experience in client relations, sales and business development and has been a licensed investment advisor. Prior to founding AMG, amongst several positions in sales/marketing, Cindy has worked in the investment/financial markets of USA, London, England and Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in high value, multi-million dollar accounts. Documentary film production is one of the primary elements of AMG’s business and is structured under AMG Media, a division of Alpha Management Group. Ms. Castano is currently acting as writer, editor, and producer for a documentary entitled “MY SLAVE, MY INFIDEL,” which is in production. The film focuses on the slave trade in Southern Sudan and has expanded filming as events continue to unfold Darfur, Sudan. AMG also has a documentary in negotiations which will focus specifically on the genocidal conflict in Darfur.

Dr. Suliman A. Giddo

President ,Board Member

Dr. Suliman A. Giddo is a highly accomplished expert with over twenty years of intensive and comprehensive experience in leadership, international relations, strategic planning, conflict resolution and disaster and emergency management; having successfully created strategic plans for governments and private institutions in the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. He is also a renowned academic and researcher at George Mason University, with a proven track record of excellence in teaching at American universities including the School of Business at Indiana, and serving in senior positions for several international organizations, including the prestigious American Red Cross, Management System International and Qatar Foundation. Dr. Giddo’s extensive experience includes serving as a consultant for the UA-UN joint mission. He also served as a board member for several institutions and organizations.

Dr.Giddo is the dynamic founder and president of Sub-Saharan University, which offers eight programs in diverse fields such as medicine and general surgery, nursing, medical lab, business administration, information technology, computer network, and banking and finance, with over 2000 enrolled students mostly from Internal Displaced Persons.

Dr. Giddo earned his Ph.D. in Peace Studies and Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in the United States, where he demonstrated exceptional academic prowess. He also completed postgraduate studies in Humanitarian Assistance from Fordham University in New York, a Master of Science in Business Administration/Accounting from Strayer University in Virginia, where he was an outstanding alumni (2008), and post-graduate studies in Strategic Planning and Project Management from the prestigious Stanford University in California. Dr. Giddo obtained his B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Khartoum.