About Friends of Bwindi
Here at Friends of Bwindi, we are working to support education, conservation, and humanitarian work in the town of Buhoma, Uganda—the gateway to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest. We focus on empowering Uganda's children by supporting Bwindi Community Kindergarten and Primary School.
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Our Story
In 2013, BYU law professor (now University of Utah law professor) Brigham Daniels started performing research in Uganda. Brig was interested in how abstract legal principles were being applied in the communities in Uganda and what steps could be taken to reduce corruption and protect national parks.
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Brig returned to Uganda every year to continue his research and began developing close relationships with those living in Buhoma, which is located just outside of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest. Brig visited Buhoma many times and grew a strong appreciation for the humanitarian, conservation, and educational work being done in the town.
Jeremiah's son Calvin walking with Brig Daniels
Brig became close friends with Jeremiah Nahamya, who worked as Brig’s research assistant. Jeremiah and his wife are pillars of the community in Buhoma and have three young boys: Marvin, Alvin, and Calvin. In 2017, Jeremiah decided to start a primary school, which is now called Bwindi Community Kindergarten and Primary School. He wanted to help more children in the community attend kindergarten and primary school, with a focus on the poor, orphaned, and physically disabled children. He reduced the fees to the school to make it accessible to more families.
Reducing fees means that each month the school faces a deficit. Jeremiah uses money from a banana plantation owned by his family to help pay the cost, and whe started a business of microlending to women in his community. The microlending program provided additional funds to the school and the women receiving the loans were more capable of paying the school fees. Jeremiah was able to raise money in his community, although the tight budget limited the impact of the school.
In 2023, Brig returned to Uganda with a group of BYU law school students. These students spent a week in Buhoma and were able to meet with Jeremiah and see how his school blessed the community. Upon returning to the United States, Brig and several of the students worked together to start this nonprofit to send funds to support Bwindi Community Kindergarten and Primary School and other nonprofit organizations supporting charitable and environmental causes around Bwindi National Forest.
Meet the Board
Professor Brig Daniels serves as the President of Friends of Bwindi. He is currently a University of Utah law professor.
Brigham Daniels
Tanner Lyon, a BYU law grad, serves as Secretary. Tanner is an associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan in Salt Lake City, Utah. He visited Uganda in 2023 and spent a week living in Buhoma. Tanner has also served as a treasurer and counselor at Camp Kesem, a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids through a parent’s cancer.
Tanner Lyon
Natalie White, a BYU law grad, serves as Treasurer. She visited Uganda in 2023 and spent a week living in Buhoma. Natalie is an associate at Kirton McConkie in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Natalie White
I have always been a little suspicious of nonprofits. Is my money reaching people and actually making a difference? But when I was in Uganda, I was so impressed with the local organizations. They did so much on a shoestring budget and the leaders made so many sacrifices just to better their communities. The amount I spend at a restaurant goes so far in Uganda—it can do so much. After being on-the-ground in Uganda, I am confident this money will bless the community in Buhoma.