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By Brenda Acen
Zombo District – Women and youth members of the Kaya Women’s Group under Kaya Church of Uganda, Kaya Parish, Nebbi Anglican Diocese, have been highly commended for sustaining a comprehensive empowerment and microfinance initiative for over 27 years despite numerous challenges.
During a project monitoring and follow-up visit, Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavenjina, Member of Parliament representing Older Persons (Northern Region) and Board Member of the National Strategy for the Advancement of Rural Women in Uganda (NSARWU), praised the elderly mothers for their unwavering commitment to social transformation.
Hon. Mavenjina, who is also a board member of NSARWU, an NGO founded by H.E. the First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni , urged the group to take up greater political, social, and economic leadership roles to achieve gender parity.
She highlighted the multi-sectoral training package under the microfinance scheme, which includes piggery, poultry keeping, handicrafts, adult literacy, drama for social mobilization, Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) practices, and climate-smart agriculture, all aimed at building women’s capacity for decision-making at household and community levels.
Key Benefits eported by the beneficiaries included Improved household income and ability to pay school fees, including for the girl child , Construction of permanent homestead structures , Community infrastructure development: church offices, cemented church floor, women’s resource centre, and kitchen Enhanced food security and nutrition through diversified livelihoods , Strengthened social capital and leadership skills among rural women.
Group Chairperson Ms. Eunice Uvon, thanked NSARWU for the support that began in 1998, noting that proceeds from group enterprises have transformed lives and remain sustainable.
Group Secretary Ms. Betty Wanican confirmed tangible contributions to church and community infrastructure.
Mr. Patrick Sirali, representing the Office of the First Lady through NSARWU, explained that the intervention focuses on economic empowerment, education of children (especially girls), and improving the overall well-being of rural women and children, critical preconditions for national development.
Zombo Resident District Commissioner Mr. Festus Ayikobua called on the community to protect development projects from corruption and urged members to mentor the youth for future leadership roles.
Established in 1994 with 50 members, Kaya Women’s Group has benefited from technical support in agriculture and livestock from partners including Women Empowerment Programme (UWEP), Send a Cow, NARO, the Sub-County, and Sasakawa Africa Association.
According to the leadership, the initiative demonstrates the long-term impact of integrated social protection, economic empowerment, and gender mainstreaming interventions in rural settings.
