Desange Kuenihira

Desange Kuenihira is the CEO and founder of unDEfeated, a non-profit organization that provides education for underprivileged youth and women with extreme financial hardship in Uganda. The foundation supports single mothers and youth in developing entrepreneurial skills so that they can start successful businesses to support their families.

Originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, Kuenihira lived in Uganda for twelve years as a refugee before moving to the U.S. and becoming a U.S. citizen. She holds a Bachelor of Science in criminology and a Bachelor of Science in health, society, and policy, with a minor in entrepreneurship and pre-business from the University of Utah.

Kuenihira was named Miss Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2019 Miss Africa Utah pageant and Miss Juneteenth in 2018, and continues to represent her home country in speeches and community activities. As a young girl, Kuenihira was told repeatedly that she was meaningless. An arranged marriage and motherhood before twenty—guaranteeing a life in poverty—were all she should expect. But Kuenihira knew she had more inside her and that education was the key to unlocking her potential.

In unDEfeated Woman, Desange Kuenihira takes us on the challenging journey of her childhood. She recalls fleeing with her siblings from the civil war raging in Congo and the daily struggle of life in a refugee camp in Uganda, where she suffered many forms of abuse. She relates her journey to America, the culture clash of living with American foster families, and her quest for education and the ability to control her own life. Now a college graduate and determined to pay kindness forward, Kuenihira has launched UnDEfeated, a nonprofit that empowers women and girls in Uganda. Kuenihira’s inspirational story shows us all how we can overcome any odds through education, determined perseverance, and the kindness of caring people.