Josephine and her husband John show off one of their coffee plants

Uganda

A country of abundant potential, facing pressing realities

Key challenges

Immaculate, a Ugandan woman, standing in her dry field
1 in 5 people in Uganda live in poverty

As of the 2019/20 Uganda National Household Survey, 20.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. This is worsened by high fertility rates and the impacts of climate change on agriculture, which remains the main source of income for 62% of Ugandans.

Patience, a Ugandan woman, at her shop
42% of young people are unemployed

Nearly half of Uganda’s population is under 18, but the economy is struggling to create enough opportunities for its growing youth. Unemployment stands at 12.3%, and 42.6% of young people (around 4 million) are not in employment, education, or training. This widespread youth disengagement threatens to deepen poverty and increase the risk of social unrest.

Dried maize field affected by unpredictable climate
Climate shocks threaten livelihoods

In Uganda, agriculture employs 80% of the labour force and contributes over 40% to the GDP. However, it is highly susceptible to climate shocks, making it challenging for farmers to sustain their livelihoods. For instance, 30 to 40% of Ugandans experienced at least one climate-related shock in the past eight years

"Ripple Effect Uganda is empowering communities to tackle unemployment, poverty, and climate challenges. Through our mission and vision, we champion sustainable solutions, creating a thriving, confident rural Uganda that transforms lives and protects the planet."

Pamela Ebanyat, Ripple Effect Uganda Country Director

Creating opportunities for Uganda’s youth and farmers through sustainable development

Oscar, a young Ugandan man, watering plants in his field
50,000 new jobs will be created for young people in the dairy value chain (YIDAMS project)
Edith in her shop holding bananas
2,948 new agri-businesses have been set up by young people as part of the YIDAMS project
Community group meeting about savings
Over 500 million Ugandan shillings saved by over 11,000 YIDAMS project participants (equivalent to £100,000)
Isingiro Soybean Inclusive Market System | 2022 - 2025

Isingiro district in Uganda is home to many refugees, who struggle to earn an income and feed their families. We work closely with refugees and smallholder farming communities in this area to increase household incomes. We do this by training them in soybean growth, harvest and trade. Soybeans are relatively weather-resistant (can withstand extreme heat and heavy rainfall) and they can be transformed into various products, such as soya milk and soya flour.

Agriculture and Market Support | 2023 - 2025

Ripple Effect is working with over 20,000 smallholder farmers and refugees in Kyegegwa, Isingiro and Kikuube to support them in strengthening their livelihoods. This project focuses around nutritional value and income generation, including training farmers on best-practice and sustainable techniques to increase their harvest yields, post-harvest management, and skills for setting up and maintaining trade.

Youth Inclusive Dairy Market Systems | 2022 - 2027

Uganda is faced with high levels of unemployment, mainly caused by a lack of market relevant skills, competencies, and knowledge to access competitive employment. As a result, young people are less economically active in their communities - this perpetuates the cycle of poverty. The dairy sector is slowly inching its way into Uganda’s top exports, highlighting a great employment opportunity for young people. Ripple Effect is working with young people in the Bushenyi district of Uganda to improve their technical skills to start and grow dairy enterprises, as well as supporting them to access internships and attachment in the dairy agribusiness. Funded by Mastercard Foundation.

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