08 Jul
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Communal Gardening

Empowering Refugee Communities Through Sustainable Agriculture: Insights from Boney Ochen

Boney Ochen, an Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture Expert supporting Shared Action Africa, recently delivered an inspiring message to beneficiaries following a comprehensive training on post-harvest handling techniques. The training targeted staff and community agriculture trainers within Nakivale Refugee Settlement, as part of Shared Action Africa’s ongoing efforts to enhance food security and economic empowerment in refugee-hosting communities.

“I am privileged to be part of Shared Action Africa and to contribute to training communities in Nakivale and Oruchinga Refugee Settlements,” Ochen stated. “It is truly fulfilling to know that our work is transforming lives through sustainable agriculture.” He spoke.

The training focused on post-harvest handling a critical yet often overlooked area in agricultural productivity. In Uganda and many similar contexts, poor post-harvest practices lead to significant losses in food and income. Through this initiative, communities were equipped with essential knowledge and practical skills on sustainable food production and proper post-harvest techniques.

“We taught the communities how to apply good agronomic practices, such as cultivating vegetables using keyhole gardens. Already, we are seeing increased yields and improved food quality,” Ochen added.

A unique aspect of the training was its gender-inclusive design, with a strong emphasis on empowering women. Women participants were trained on how to improve the quality of their grain, enabling them to fetch higher market prices. For instance, during the training, participants learned to sort mixed seeds—an important skill that allows them to distinguish and sell higher-quality grain at premium prices.

“These women will now return to their communities and pass on their knowledge, which we anticipate will boost household incomes, enhance food security, and promote healthy consumption,” Ochen explained.

The approach also aims to link farmers to broader value chains, including off-takers who can purchase their produce at fair prices. Participants were introduced to improved post-harvest handling technologies such as PICS bags, pallet-based grain storage, and the use of tarpaulins for proper drying—all of which reduce contamination and post-harvest losses.

“By embracing these practices, not only are we enhancing food quality and marketability, but we are also contributing to the national economy and taking meaningful steps toward poverty eradication,” Ochen concluded.

Shared Action Africa’s ongoing agricultural training programs continue to provide refugees and host communities with the tools and knowledge needed to build sustainable livelihoods—one harvest at a time.

04 Jul
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Communal Gardening

Empowered Through Training: Nyabenda’s Journey to Agricultural Success Benadate.

Nyabenda, a refugee woman residing in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, is one of the many women whose lives have been transformed through the livelihood and empowerment programs of Shared Action Africa.

Through targeted training in agribusiness and crop value addition, Nyabenda has gained both skills and confidence to take charge of her economic future. “I received training that equipped me with skills to add value to my crops and earn more from my harvest,” Nyabenda shared with a smile. “Before this, I would sell my produce immediately after harvesting, often at very low prices. I didn’t know I could do more with what I grow.” Like many refugee women, Nyabenda initially practiced subsistence farming with limited returns. Without adequate post-harvest knowledge or market access, her efforts yielded little income. “I was working hard in my garden, but the profits were too small. I felt discouraged,” she said. “But now things have changed.” After participating in Shared Action Africa’s hands-on sessions, Nyabenda learned how to dry, package, and store her crops properly. She was also taught how to process some of her produce into marketable goods such as flour and dried vegetables. “The skills I gained are helping me earn a better income. I can now feed my family and save some money,” she proudly stated. Nyabenda also became part of a women’s farming group in her community. “We support each other. We share knowledge and even combine our produce to reach bigger markets,” she explained. “It feels good to be part of something that uplifts all of us.” Grateful for the opportunity, Nyabenda emphasized, “I have no regrets. I’m making good money from my produce. Thank you to Shared Action Africa. You gave me hope and a future.” Her story is a powerful reflection of what happens when refugee women are equipped with practical skills and supported through inclusive, community-led programs. Nyabenda’s journey is proof that with the right training and opportunity, refugee women can thrive and lead the way to sustainable change.“she said.

 

03 Jul
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Communal Gardening

How Benadate Nyabenda Turned Her Life Around Through Savings and Training.

In the heart of Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, a powerful story of transformation, resilience, and economic empowerment is unfolding. Benadate Nyabenda a refugee, chairperson of the Mucho Savings Group, and a proud mother has redefined her future through the power of savings, training, and community support. Her journey, made possible through programs by Shared Action Africa, is a testament to how dedication and opportunity can change lives.

Nyabenda is more than just a member of the settlement, she is a leader and an entrepreneur. Her journey began when she joined the Mucho Savings Group, established under the initiative of Shared Action Africa, an organization committed to empowering women and vulnerable communities through financial literacy and entrepreneurship training.

“Shared Action Africa changed my life. Through their training under the Savings Groups program, I learned how to save, borrow wisely, and invest in sustainable projects. I was also taught to practice modern agriculture, including maize and bean planting I even have a store for my produce. Additionally, I rear animals such as pigs, goats, and cows, and I specialize in poultry farming, raising chickens for both meat and eggs at a zero-grazing farm. Shared Action Africa provided us with plates for collecting money, books for recording our savings, and savings boxes for keeping our money safe. They found us in a very difficult situation we didn’t even know what savings groups were. They gave us some capital for the group, which we could borrow and return. Today, thanks to their continuous training, we have become experts,” she shares with a smile.

Before joining the group, Nyabenda, like many women in the settlement, struggled with unstable income and limited financial knowledge. But the training she received equipped her with vital skills in savings, budgeting, and investment. With just UGX 1,000 as her starting capital, she laid the foundation for what would become a thriving livelihood.

The Mucho Savings Group quickly became her financial anchor. Through it, she was able to save and access loans, which she invested in agriculture. She started by planting maize, taking advantage of the fertile soils in Isingiro District. As her harvests improved, so did her ventures. She now processes and sells maize flour, and supplies maize seeds to both farmers and traders for food processing. Her agricultural efforts have grown into a key source of income and stability.

But Nyabenda didn’t stop there. With increased confidence and ongoing support from Shared Action Africa, she expanded into animal husbandry. Today, she rears goats, pigs, hens, and cows. Through training in animal care and farm management, she established paddocks to ensure her animals remain healthy and productive. The livestock not only ensures food security for her family but also provides a consistent income stream, enabling her to pay school fees, cover household expenses, and continue saving.

“I never imagined I would one day own a zero-grazing farm, rear animals, and even run a retail shop. Shared Action Africa taught me to believe in the power of savings and hard work. I am now able to save UGX 600,000 every month after all my expenses. That is something I never thought possible as a refugee,” she says.

One of her proudest achievements is her retail shop in Nakivale Settlement. After working on her farm during the day, she manages the shop, which also functions as her business office. From being financially insecure to overseeing multiple income-generating ventures, Nyabenda’s story is nothing short of inspirational.

Her journey represents more than personal success it highlights the power of community-led development and the transformative impact of empowering women. Nyabenda now serves as a role model in the refugee community, encouraging others to take charge of their futures.

“To my fellow refugees, especially the women who are still unsure, I tell them: don’t wait. Join a savings group. Believe in yourself. I started with just UGX 1,000 and look at me now. You don’t need a big capital; you need the courage to start,” she advises.

Nyabenda Thanks Shared Action Africa. “I no longer see myself as just a refugee. I am a businesswoman, a provider, and a leader. They have helped me move beyond the pain of displacement and focus on the possibilities ahead,” she adds.

Nyabenda’s story illustrates the transformative power of financial inclusion and grassroots support systems. Through her leadership in the Mucho Savings Group, she continues to inspire other women in Nakivale to dream bigger, save consistently, and invest wisely.

Shared Action Africa plays a vital role in reshaping the narrative of refugees not as passive victims, but as active contributors to local economies. By investing in community-based initiatives like savings groups and entrepreneurship training, they pave the way for self-reliance and sustainable development.

“Savings are the seeds of dreams. I planted mine with UGX 1,000, and today, I harvest a future I never thought I could have,” says Nyabenda.

Nyabenda shared her future plans: “We want to start a group business that will provide emergency funds for members, so that anyone in need can access money, when necessary,” she said.

Her message is simple but powerful: Start small, believe in yourself, and stay committed because every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to a brighter tomorrow, “she said.

03 Jul
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Communal Gardening

Shared Action Africa Helped Us Escape Poverty Through Farming and Savings – Ainembabazi Janet

Meet Ainembabazi Janet, a proud member of the Umoja Ni Nguvu Group and a refugee in Nakivale Settlement, Isingiro District. With the support of Shared Action Africa, she discovered the power of saving and investing—especially for women. This empowerment enabled her to transition from poverty to development.

She embraced a culture of saving and invested in agriculture, particularly tomato farming. Today, she has a thriving tomato garden expected to earn over UGX 6 million. By applying the knowledge and skills gained from Shared Action Africa, Janet and her group members now produce high-quality crops and use proper post-harvest handling techniques, including appropriate storage and harvesting methods, to maintain quality.

“My name is Ainembabazi Janet, and I am a member of Umoja Ni Nguvu Group. We sincerely appreciate Shared Action Africa for its tremendous support. Through its programs, we have learned how to save as women. Shared Action Africa opened our eyes to the possibility of moving from poverty to development. We adopted the culture of saving and invested our savings in agriculture. Today, we specialize in tomato growing, and we are proud to say that we have a healthy, beautiful tomato garden that promises us a good income after harvesting. By following the advice and applying the skills we were taught by Shared Action Africa, we are now able to produce quality products. From our current garden, we expect to earn over UGX 6 million after the harvest. We are committed to applying the post-harvest handling skills we learned, including proper storage and harvesting techniques, to maintain the quality of our produce. All the knowledge, skills, and progress we have achieved are thanks to Shared Action Africa. Through its savings groups and climate resilience programs, we have realized significant improvements in our lives, breaking free from the grip of poverty. I see a great change in my life and that of my family, we are now part of a successful business. Shared Action Africa empowered us women to realize that we, too, can develop ourselves without depending on our husbands. Using money from our savings group, we hire land, grow cash crops, and after harvesting, we divide the income among ourselves. This enables us to solve family issues like paying school fees and providing basic needs for our children. The remaining money is used to buy animals such as cows and goats, which serve as assets for the future. These animals are kept under zero grazing, and as they reproduce, we continue to sell and earn more income. We truly appreciate Shared Action Africa for empowering women and showing us our value through its development programs. It united us for a common goal — growth and self-reliance. We are now over 50 women in this group, all of whom are trained, skilled, and engaged in agriculture. We even maintain kitchen gardens, and the organization continuously supports us. Whenever we need anything for our farms, we reach out and receive support promptly. Currently, our major challenge is water. Our garden is very large, but we do not have a generator to pump water. Water scarcity is a big issue in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. The generator we are currently using is hired and costly, both in terms of rental and transport. We also lack pesticides to spray our crops. However, we have already informed the Shared Action Africa team, and we are confident they will support us soon. We are proud, modern, and empowered women of this new generation, thanks to Shared Action Africa. We have even expanded to growing cabbages, and we already have a market. Traders from nearby towns like Isingiro and Mbarara come directly to our garden to buy our cabbages, and we make good money. Personally, I have greatly benefited from Shared Action Africa’s initiatives. I used my savings and income from agriculture to start a side business selling fish. Fish is a highly demanded food in the settlement and nearby towns like Mbarara and Isingiro. I have a stall in the settlement, and customers also come to my home for bulk purchases. This business earns me over UGX 600,000 per month. Shared Action Africa regularly checks on us, follows up on our progress, and continues to guide us along our development journey. I am now financially independent and can comfortably meet my needs. As a refugee, I no longer stress about money. At home, we never lack food. We now realize our value as women. We have learned that we are important members of society, and we can live meaningful lives — even without support from men,” Janet said.

16 Mar
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Empowering Health Workers

Arinda Isaac’s story | Empowering Health Workers to Provide Youth Friendly SRHR Services.

Increasing the utilization of sexual and reproductive services is greatly dependent on the positive attitude of the health workers towards its provision to young people of ages 15-24. It is for this reason that Shared Action Africa is amplifying the contribution made by Isaac Arinda, a health worker and advocate for increased utilization and access of sexual and reproductive care of adolescents and young people at Nshungyezi HCIII in Oruchinga refugee settlement. Prior to receiving specialized training, Isaac had a very poor attitude towards adolescents and young people that sought sexual and reproductive care at the health facility where he worked. Like other members of his community, he though that providing contraceptives to young people was tantamount to promoting promiscuity among these age group. However, after the training he provided, it was he has been one of the biggest advocates for adolescent sexual and reproductive rights among his peers.

“As health workers, we often are not interested in helping young people access sexual and reproductive health care due to our own personal biases, beliefs, and prejudices. Prior to my training on adolescent sexual and reproductive health care and rights, I was among those health workers would decline to serve young people because I believed I would be perpetuating moral decadency in our community. However, after learning that access and use of SRHR services is a human right, but also that it works as a preventive measure against several societal evils such as unplanned and teenage pregnancies, I was won over.

It is for this reason, that when the first youth friendly space was established at Nshungyezi health facility, I applied to be the person in charge of managing this space. I am therefore happy to be working in partnership with Shared Action Africa to provide counselling to the youth and I feel honored to be the person privileged to pilot such as initiative that will have a lasting impact among our communities. This is because when young people are offered an opportunity to access services and information concerning their reproductive health, we would be mitigating against early childhood pregnancies and are rampant in the settlement.

I am confident this will happen gradually because I am part of the team that is promoting voluntary family planning among young people, and also encourage them to not only conduct regular testing for HIV, but also advise them to always use protection whenever they uninformed about their partner’s HIV status. However, for those that find themselves in a situation where they have had unprotected sex, we provide them with not only emergency contraceptive but also encourage them to seek Prep treatment to prevent HIV infection.

However, while we have established a youth friendly corner at Nshungezi HCIII, we need further support to help equip it so that young people are encouraged to come and come interact with others as they are counselled on their sexual and reproductive health care and rights as well as receive services that meet their needs. There has been an integration of youth friendly services in outreaches as this gives the youth a chance to confidently show up and participate in health education talks. We have also allocated Saturdays as a special day for them to attend to the youth. “

05 Feb
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Communal Gardening

Communal Gardening | Women’s Economic Empowerment and Food Security

We are committed to promoting sustainable access to enough food, proper nutrition and incomes for refugee women. Through forming collectives advocating for increased allocation to land as a resource of production, refugee women are able to influence strategies and policies to promote their livelihood. From allocation of land plots from 40 by 80 feet to at least three quarters to an acre for agricultural production, refugee women are achieving such results through engaging duty bearers. Through advocacy actions such as developing strategies, tactics in engaging duty bearers, submitting petitions and follow up, refugee women are evolving into leaders that are influencing their communities in Nakivale refugee settlement.

“With the increased allocation to land, I am able to practice better methods of farming and resultantly improve my production for food security and nutrition as well as income generation,” 41-year-old Julie (DRC) caretaker of 7 family members.”

05 Feb
Climate Justice

Monique’s Story

Monique’s Story | Sustainable Energy and Climate Justice

SAA supported 10 refugee women in Nakivale Refugee Settlement with cook stoves to promote the use of energy efficient cook stoves given the limited access to fuel in the settlement.

26-year-old Monique mother of two and a refugee from Rwanda was among the beneficiaries who testify that having a cookstove has reduced the amount of effort in terms of time and energy she puts into preparing meals.

‘’My name is Monique Makengo. Through the trainings and support from Shared Action Africa, I saved up UGX 800,000 which I used to buy the energy saving stove. I was tired of using firewood for cooking and it was becoming scarce with the high rate of cutting of trees in the settlement. I used to walk long distances (about 3 Kms) to get firewood in that I had to close my shop; this made me lose out on income during this time. In addition, I had no one to leave my three young children with hence I had to request neighbors to keep them whenever I went to get firewood. so that I can stop using firewood for cooking. I also had to wake up in very early in the morning at times which was uncomfortable and very tiring.

With the cook stove, I don’t have to go through all the trouble since I use one bag of saw dust. I also spend less i.e. from UGX 88,000 on fuel to UGX 10,000 on saw dust per month. In addition, the cook stove is less straining in lighting up. I use less time to prepare meals from 4.5 hours to at least 3 hours a day. I use this time for my business and spending time with my saving group as we learn different things. I also get to boil our drinking water which was not the case before since I was sparing the firewood. The cook stove is also smoke free which makes the cooking experience a delight. There is such a high demand for these stoves in my community especially among the women due to their health benefits as well as their cost effectiveness.

Though it may seem like a small item, this cook stove has changed my life in so many ways. I am grateful to Shared Action Africa for this support.”

05 Feb
Climate Justice

Nalongo Kinene’s Story

Nalongo Kinene’s Story | Energy & Women’s Economic Empowerment

Shared Action Africa has an Eco fund that supports women both in business and homes to get cooks stoves on credit to support their work.

58-year Nalongo Kinene a food vendor in Nakawa market is grateful for having got the cook stoves in doing her 15-year business.

I purchased a cook stove in 2019 on credit of UGX 900,000 which I was able to pay back. Using this eco stove has reduced my fuel expenses. When I used traditional biomass, I needed 2 bags of charcoal per month each costing UGX 100,000 making a total of UGX 200,000 per month ($54.79). However, with the eco stove I use one sack of charcoal dust per month which I get at UGX 8,000/= ($2.18). With this saving I was able to repay my loan in time.

I also prepare meals within shorter time i.e. from 7 hours to 5 hours now. This saves me time which I put to other use in business. Moreover, timely preparation of meals is important in my business because I am able to provide food for my clients with in a short time. This is because the stove has the ability to emit maximum energy needed to cook fast because it has been designed in such a way that the user can moderate the amount of energy needed to suit their cooking needs.

The eco cook stove too does not emit fumes when lighting it unlike the traditional charcoal stove that needs a lot of papers to light it up. It also has a proper storage compartment for the ash which makes it easy for me to collect the ash at the end of the day when I am done with the cooking and dispose it off well. Ash does not get littered as I do the cooking because the ash compartment is well enclosed. This keeps my cooking place clean and hygienic.

Ecostoves are good for business and homes. I believe that many people especially in urban areas would like to acquire them.