Ruth Ndyabahika, a Child Psychologist by profession, currently serves as the first woman President of the prestigious International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB). She is the Founder of Grace Villa sanctuary for girls.

After living 20 years in the USA, Ruth, moved back to Uganda in August 2012, where she set up a home for girls she rescued, at Grace Villa, Kabale.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois to Anglican priests Rev Can Prof. James and Rev Can Grace Ndyabahika, with two siblings: Apolo and Rachelle. Her family returned to Uganda for six of Ruth’s most definitive years of Primary 5 into high school, before she moved back to the USA to join university.

About 10 years ago, she stumbled into the nonprofit and advocacy world which now defines her, after watching a documentary that opened her eyes and heart to the plight of the night commuting children in Northern Uganda. She got passionately involved in awareness campaigns such as Gulu Walks, lobbied Senators and Congressmen at Capitol Hill, and in 2009 was part of Uganda Lobby Day, which to date was the biggest lobby day for Africa in US history.