OUR TEAM
Executive Director | Roxanne Robbins
A Clearwater, FL, native, Roxanne Robbins is the founder and executive director of Tukutana International. Before launching Tukutana, Roxanne served as director of public affairs for the International Justice Mission (IJM). In this role, she planned and implemented events and media campaigns that increased public awareness of a wide range of human rights issues. She conducted briefings on modern-day slavery for the White House, the U.S. State Department, Congressional staff members, and celebrities.
Prior to joining IJM, Roxanne established and directed the “Athletes and At-Risk Youth (AAY)” initiative. In partnership with professional sports leagues and the United States Olympic Committee, AAY equipped elite sports figures to use their platform to improve education, strengthen families, and develop character and leadership among at-risk youth. Members of Congress and policymakers in the Executive Branch utilized her research on athlete-driven community initiatives.
Roxanne has helped organize national and international events, including the annual NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl Breakfast. While based in Washington, DC, she produced and hosted a nationally syndicated radio program featuring inspirational interviews with prominent sports figures that aired on 1,100 U.S. radio stations. She has reported on location from the White House, ESPY Awards Show in Los Angeles, Live 8 Concert, G-8 Summit (Edinburgh, Scotland), March Madness Final Four, and seven NFL Super Bowls, with her sports columns and feature articles appearing in multiple national and international publications.
A graduate of Auburn University, where she ran track and cross-country, Roxanne has worked at eight Summer and Winter Olympics. She was a press manager for the 1996 Atlanta Games, where she directed 139 international press conferences and helped organize publicity events and ceremonies for Olympians, Hollywood celebrities, and dignitaries, including the President of the United States and 41 heads of state. Roxanne was the only woman the Nagano Olympic Committee selected to serve as chaplain for the Olympians competing in the Nagano Winter Games in Japan.
Roxanne has worked, consulted, and volunteered with the United States Olympic Committee, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, World War II Memorial Dedication Ceremony (Washington, D.C.), Opportunity International, World Vision, Washington Freedom Professional Soccer Team, Athletes in Action, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, The International Swimming League (ISL), The Wireless Foundation, The House DC, Watoto Child Care Ministries, World Vision, and Cornerstone Development Africa.
“As an oncologist, I recognise that it’s only by working in a team with highly motivated and committed individuals such as Ms Roxanne Robbins, that we can make a difference to Uganda’s medical sufferers. I know that Ms Robbins is willing to commit herself to the vulnerable and underprivileged sufferers of Uganda. I wholeheartedly recommend her to work alongside medical professionals to make a difference to many who would not be able to persist through their treatment without extra practical support, as has been given by Ms. Robbins and her organisation Tukutana.”
— Dr. Helena Nam MB Bch (UK) MRCP FRCR (London) Clinical Oncologist, Hope Ward Cancer Clinic International Hospital Kampala
“Being an Olympic Gold medalist, I appreciate and value great coaches. A great coach believes in you and teaches you the truth about operating at your very best. My wife and I enjoy supporting Tukutana because this organization has a great coach in their director, Roxanne Robbins. My wife, Shantel, and I have known Roxanne for many years, and we know her commitment to coming alongside the beautiful Uganda people to train, equip, and create sustainable change for the most vulnerable. Seeing our offerings have such a tangible impact is very rewarding.”
—Josh Davis, 3x Olympic Gold Medalist, Captain of USA 2000 Olympic Swim Team, former world record holder
Operations Director | Sunday Morris
Poverty prevented Sunday Morris from receiving a formal education beyond the fourth grade. Yet he’s accomplished the most worthy feats (always done to benefit others) due to his extraordinary work ethic, punctuality, trustworthiness, commitment to excellence, love for the Lord, and compassion for the hurting. Called “Uncle Sunday” by all who know him, this extraordinary man embodies what it means to “defend orphans and widows” (James 1:27). Uncle Sunday’s big smile grows even larger when he helps someone in need, and when he sees others extend a helping hand to those suffering.
A peacemaker and humble leader, Uncle Sunday has worked with Tukutana for 15 years, bringing people together in ways that enrich churches, communities, schools, and medical clinics. He walks for miles, in challenging conditions, to identify villages in dire need of safe water, and advocates on their behalf. Uncle Sunday has overseen the construction of 56 water systems and related ministries in Uganda. He cares for sick children, brings food and water to elderly widows, hosts Easter and Christmas feasts for the most needy, teaches Bible studies, facilitates Tukutana’s golf program, manages logistics, and much more.
Chief Financial Officer: Roger Morton
Advisory Board :
Cathy and Tim Kruetter | Cornerstone Development Africa
Lorraine and Jim Hiskey | C
Sean Martin | PGA Tour
Dr. Helena Nam MB Bch (UK) MRCP FRCR
Programs & Operations
Jonas Odongo
WATER Construction Foreman
Silver Kakooza
Art Director
Boswell Bibiyre
Transportation Coordinator
Celebrating 14 Years with Tukutana’s
Dedicated WATER CREW!
In 2010, when Tukutana launched our WATER initiative, our friends with Living Water International trained Tukutana’s staff and helped us assemble a highly-skilled team of foremen, hydro-geological surveyors, rig operators, drillers, pump installers, and water-quality analysts.
Tukutana has since received permits and contributions to provide safe and accessible water for more than 63,000 people in three East African countries. Owing to our crew's commitment to excellence, each Tukutana water project has received the highest inspection grades and praise from the Minister of Health and other government officials.
*Please pray for Tukutana’s WATER teams as they labor in challenging conditions to serve vulnerable people and communities.
East Africa Advisory Board
Josephine Ssebambulide (left)
Kenneth Nyanzi (left)
Maurice Mganze
working together … with hope