UBUCHANGE started in December 2023 with a small team of young refugees in
Kampala. Our dream was simple: to show that refugees are not only receivers of aid but
also creators, sellers, and leaders. In less than two years, we have seen this dream turn
into real action.
Impact for us is not only about numbers. It is about stories, dignity, and the everyday
changes in the lives of families. Still, numbers help us measure progress. So let us look at
what has happened so far and why it matters.
The Journey So Far
2023 – Stand for Talent
We began with a focus on urban refugees in Kampala. Many young people had skills in
music, art, and performance but no way to earn from them. Through the Stand for
Talent project, we created a platform where they could showcase their skills and connect
with buyers and audiences.
This restored dignity and income. It showed that even talent can put food on the table if
given the right space.
2024 – Greenspace Recycling Impact
In 2024, we expanded into climate action. Kampala was facing a plastic waste problem.
Refugee youth stepped in with the Greenspace Recycling Impact project. They
collected plastics, recycled them, and turned waste into opportunity.
This project gave green jobs, reduced waste, and proved that refugees can lead in
protecting the environment while earning an income.
2025 – Agribusiness for Livelihoods
In Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, food insecurity was a big problem. Over 55% of
children under 5 were stunted because of poor nutrition. We launched the Agribusiness
for Livelihoods project to fight this.
Single mothers and youth were trained in vegetable farming and banana bark crafts. The
vegetables provided daily meals, while the crafts created income. This project combined
food security, income generation, and environmental care.
Stories Behind the Numbers
One young man in Kyaka II told us how he had dropped out of school because his family
could not afford fees. After joining our vegetable farming program, he started selling
surplus crops. Within months, he was saving money and helping his siblings go back to
school.
Another woman, a single mother, said that before UBUCHANGE she depended fully on
rations. After learning basket weaving and joining our sales network, she sold her first
basket to a buyer in Kampala. The payment she received on her mobile phone was the
first income she had ever controlled herself. She used it to buy school materials for her
children.
These are not big stories for the world, but they are life-changing stories for families.
Numbers That Matter
Here are some early results from our work:
● Dozens of refugee women trained in modern farming and craft-making.
● Youth in Kampala creating income through recycling.
● Art and performance skills turned into real jobs in urban areas.
● Families in Kyaka II now eat fresh vegetables daily.
● Banana bark baskets and bags reaching buyers in Kampala.
These may look like small numbers compared to global aid, but for us, every family
counts. Each person who earns their own money is a success story.
The Bigger Impact
Our work is also linked to global goals. UBUCHANGE contributes to several UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
● SDG 1 (No Poverty): Creating jobs and income.
● SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Fighting malnutrition with farming.
● SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Empowering single mothers.
● SDG 8 (Decent Work and Growth): Training Salespreneurs.
● SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Giving equal market access.
● SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Promoting eco-friendly
crafts.
● SDG 13 (Climate Action): Reducing plastic waste.
This shows that our local work is part of a bigger movement for change.
Our Goals Ahead
Impact is not about stopping here. By 2030, we plan to:
● Train 10,000 Salespreneurs.
● Facilitate 5 million USD in annual sales.
● Provide daily meals for refugee families through modern agriculture.
● Build 50+ partnerships with global buyers and organizations.
These goals are ambitious, but they are realistic. We are building step by step, project by
project.
Why This Impact Matters
Too often, refugee programs stop at giving aid. But aid does not last. UBUCHANGE’s
impact is different because it builds independence.
When a woman sells a basket, she gains income and confidence. When a youth farms
vegetables, he not only feeds his family but also becomes a provider. When artists earn
from their talent, they stop depending on handouts.
This kind of impact grows with time. Each Salespreneur trained becomes an example for
others. Each family supports and builds a stronger community.
How You Can Join
Impact grows faster when more people take part. You can support by:
● Buying products from refugee Salespreneurs.
● Partnering with UBUCHANGE as a business, NGO, or buyer.
● Sharing the stories of refugees as makers and sellers.
Together, we can scale this impact from hundreds of families to thousands.