Kiryandongo, Uganda: The international development organisation AVSI Foundation has launched an €11 million (approximately Shs45 billion) project aimed at improving water access and promoting self-reliance among refugees and host communities in Kiryandongo and Yumbe districts.
The three-year initiative will target 7,000 households, focusing on building resilience and enabling vulnerable families to transition from extreme poverty into sustainable, income-generating livelihoods.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Ritah Laro of AVSI said the project adopts a sequenced and time-bound “graduation approach” lasting between 12 and 24 months.
“Each participant household is assigned a coach and a trainer to guide them in acquiring skills, building productive assets and engaging in sustainable livelihoods,” Dr Laro explained.
The model, previously piloted in districts such as Kyegegwa, supports households to progressively move into the money economy through savings mobilisation, enterprise development and financial inclusion.
Kiryandongo Chief Administrative Officer Anselm Kyaligonza said district leaders conducted a benchmarking visit to Kyegegwa before endorsing the project.
“When we visited Kyegegwa, we saw firsthand how the graduation approach works, with compelling testimonies from participants. That gave us confidence to recommend AVSI’s programme here,” Kyaligonza said.
He noted that the initiative complements government’s Parish Development Model (PDM), particularly in strengthening savings culture and expanding financial inclusion among vulnerable households.
Resident District Commissioner Dan Muganga emphasised the need for measurable impact. “This project specifically targets the extreme poor. By its conclusion, we should see participants achieving improved livelihoods and living better lives,” Muganga said.
Water Access and Economic Resilience
Beyond livelihoods, the project will enhance access to clean and safe water in refugee settlements and host communities, reducing disease burden and easing pressure on existing infrastructure.
Kiryandongo and Yumbe are among Uganda’s major refugee-hosting districts, accommodating thousands of refugees primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By combining water infrastructure improvements with structured livelihood support, AVSI aims to reduce long-term dependency on humanitarian aid and foster self-reliant, economically active households.
Officials say the integrated model could become a benchmark for similar interventions across Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts.
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