Nakivale Youth Transform Agricultural Skills Into Thriving Incomes

Over 1,700 young individuals residing in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement and adjacent host communities are successfully turning practical agricultural training into steady income streams. Launched in December 2024, the Connecting Youth to Gainful Entrepreneurship in Uganda (Y-Connect) initiative equips participants with vital skills in piggery, poultry farming, commercial vegetable production, and agricultural value addition.

Backed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented by the Association of Volunteers in International Service (AVSI) Foundation, the Shs5.4 billion project reinforces government goals to foster sustainable livelihoods across Isingiro District. Beneficiaries have reported reduced reliance on external aid, using their initial capital to establish profitable enterprises. For instance, Boaz Kamukama utilized his Shs1.1 million startup grant to venture into the matooke trade, pulling in daily profits of up to Shs200,000. Similarly, Mutwimana Rebbeca, a Burundian refugee, invested her grant into tomato farming, yielding harvests worth Shs1.8 million that helped expand her home and fund her children’s schooling.

The initiative also extends into secondary institutions like Nakivale Secondary School and Rubondo Community Secondary School, aligning with Uganda’s Competency-Based Curriculum. Students such as Prossy Amumpaire have successfully set up home-based poultry projects using chicks provided through the program, allowing them to independently cover educational expenses. Local leaders, including Isingiro District Agricultural Officer Julius Mulumba, have praised the project for enhancing food security and empowering both refugee and host populations.

As the 25-month program nears its completion, project managers are emphasizing long-term sustainability. AVSI’s Golden Tayebwa noted that the initiative has prioritized robust market linkages and savings groups, ensuring youth-led ventures continue to flourish alongside local government monitoring after donor funding ceases. Read more details on the Nile Post.