Growing together

In a remote village in Rukungiri District, what started as a small step and a group initiative five years ago has grown into a thriving community with coffee farms, apple orchards, and livestock rearing, bringing together 30 individuals to form a strong, cohesive group working collectively for a better future.

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For the community, farming had long been a subsistence-based activity while income and savings were scarce. In February 2020, families came together after participating in financial literacy training to form a joint savings group. “After participating in the financial literacy trainings, we came together to start a Joint VSLA to address our financial problems — something that was new in our community. We had never had any financial groups in our village,” recalls Agnes, the group’s secretary. In their early meetings, they agreed to establish a hulling and milling business. By pooling their improved agricultural income, they saved UGX 10,000,000 (approximately USD 2,778 at UGX 3,600 = USD 1) in just over a year, purchased a maize milling machine and secured a small rented space. “We mill our maize and millet into flour and animal feeds, which we sell as final products. Community members and surrounding villages equally benefit because we offer affordable milling prices,” Agnes explains.

The business quickly became a steady source of collective income, with profits reinvested into savings, machine upkeep and community benefits. Just as importantly, it brought people together. "Earlier, people in our community handled issues individually or within their families, rarely reaching out for help from neighbours or other community members. Now, we have become a strong, cohesive group. During some of our meetings, we even share and talk about how to manage our homes and families better," Agnes adds. In 2023, the group expanded its efforts by purchasing goats for each of its 30 members. "We used our profits and interests to promote financial independence for our members. Every member has received a goat, to help them expand their livestock farm and start earning from them," says Terasisio, a committee member.

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The ripple effects have been evident. Group members Akampura and Cleo started a goat rearing and retail business. Agnes used her savings and profits to buy half an acre of land in 2024 and plant coffee, while Terasisio invested in apple farming in 2023, selling fruit for steady seasonal income. "Through the initiative, I am now capable of regularly providing for my family's needs. Most of us in our village look better than we were before the program," he shares.