Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Uganda has launched seven Village Savings and Loans Federations (VSLFs) under its Resilience Enhancement for Adapting to Sustainable Livelihoods (REAL) project in Rwamwanja and Kyaka refugee settlements, Kamwenge district.
Under the theme “Saving Together, Growing Together,” The initiative aims to enhance food security and resilience for 5,880 refugees and 2,520 host community members by 2026.
According to Jerry Kiwanuka, REAL project manager, four VSLFs are in Rwamwanja and three in Kyaka.
Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark, Novo Nordisk, FAHU Foundation, and ADRA International, the innitietive aims to pool savings and engage in viable economic activities like farming and value addition, enabling access to better services for development.
Mr. Kiwanuka urged members to collaborate and report issues via the toll-free number 0800323232 for interventions.
Mr. Mugisha Godfrey, VSLF advisor for Rwamwanja, commended ADRA for transforming household income and food security. “ADRA introduced climate-smart agriculture, teaching us crop spacing, spraying, marketing, and environmental conservation. Financial literacy and VSLFs have further empowered us,” he said. The VSLFs have saved over UGX 18 million, loaning UGX 16.87 million to members.
In Kyaka, the VSLFs are Sweswe United, Power With (9 VSLAs), and NOTED (8 VSLAs).
In Rwamwanja, they include Bisozi Processing and Traders, Rwamwanja Farmers and Credit, Tungane Mukono, and Turimbere VSLF.
Mr. Katushabe Moses, commercial officer of Nkoma-Katalyeba Town Council, expressed gratitude for ADRA’s inclusive approach, targeting both refugees and host communities.
He pledged district support and highlighted an upcoming government program, Smart Climate, to complement such initiatives.Mr. Emmanuel Naturinda, Deputy Mayor of Rwamwanja, emphasized food security’s role in wealth creation, condemning domestic violence and advocating for balanced diets.
UNHCR representative Charles Okumu and Sarah Achien, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) commandant livelihoods focal person, both commended ADRA’s efforts In transforming the lives of locals.
Achien further urged ADRA to consider extending the same initiative to more refugee settlements and encouraged members to use savings wisely, promising to advocate for ADRA’s work.
“VSLFs enable collective investment for greater financial access and growth,” Ms.Nakato Farida, ADRA’s MEAL officer, emphasizedshe.
Beneficiaries shared success stories.
Florence Nyirabashete, a goat farmer, credited a UGX 1 million VSLF loan for boosting her business. “ADRA trained us in financial literacy, nutrition, and modern farming. As women, we’re now confident and independent,” she said.
Robert Tugume, a VSLA chairperson, started poultry farming with 50 birds, earning over UGX 500,000 in profit. “ADRA taught us to start small, start well, and start now,” he said.
The launch, attended by Refugee Welfare Council Chairperson Mr. Innocent and other stakeholders, marks a significant step toward economic empowerment and resilience in Kamwenge’s refugee and host communities.
