Author Archives: IST-TFT

My name is Hellen Kyokali.

For years, I battled financial hardship while raising six children as a single mother. My journey started as a KCCA street cleaner, waking up at 3 AM every day to grace the dusty streets of Kampala hustling for my daily bread. Eventually, I transitioned to selling sweet bananas and avocados at Freedom Market, but managing my small capital was a constant struggle.

I sell sweet bananas the big, small, and avocado in freedom market Kalerwe. Before I attended the training, I had few customers at my stall, didn’t care much about either my personal or business outlook. Since IST team trained us, my life and business management skills changed for the better especially the increase in sales and profits. Additionally, my customer care skills and respect improved as IST showed us that customers were a crucial block in our business… I didn’t know how to handle or grow it well. I was part of a savings group, contributing between 1,000 to 2,000 UGX, but I wasn’t actively involved in saving.

When IST stepped in, they taught us the importance of working and coming together and having a single voice as a collective, and the benefits of proper financial management. Now, I have mastered the art of handling my finances, keeping records and no one does it better than me!

I started my business with selling only small sweet bananas and avocado with a stall that I made with my bare hands. But when IST came in, I was trained that it is a good idea to sell more than one product so that I have more than one income streams. I added big sweet bananas.

Being a single mother and the sole provider for a household of six has not been easy. Everyone in my family depends entirely on me.

Before joining the market, I worked as a cleaner for KCCA, waking up as early as 3 AM to sweep the streets. Eventually, I transitioned to market work, where I began a new chapter in my life. Through the training and support from IST, I learned how to manage my finances, which enabled me to save and invest money.

With the savings and determination, I was able to purchase a plot of land, and build my own home in Lugazi. You can’t imagine that a former street cleaner now, after a long day at work has a  a place to return to and rest with my family With this achievement, my mother, family and workmates are proud and I serve as an inspiration to those around me.

When it comes to leadership, they told us, we tend to think every position should be held by men and hold ourselves back. This was my eye opener and believed that it was possible to take up those positions. I actively participated in IST competitions and was selected to hold the position of the women vice chairperson in this market after the IST training. I then later left the vice chairperson role when I vied for leadership as the women councilor LC 3 Makerere 3. I lost because I did not have enough money to win the race but I appreciated the experience. 

But, now we as leaders in the market, we can now talk to these people without fear and solve whatever is bothering us (I think we should mention here what they’re advocating for and also specifically mention their standing up to the leadership dominated by men).

IST helped boost our confidence as women. Our cooperation as women in the market and friendship has improved more than before. Also, I personally had a smart phone which I would use to only take pictures and chatting with my friends. I did not know I can use a phone to get customers online. After that training on phone usage, I use my phone to promote my business. My customers have increased and I make more sales.

My request to IST is to take these trainings to other markets so that other women also get the skills. More so, IST and Korea Hope Foundation should help us in identifying markets for our products especially in outside countries and support us with a machine that makes Avocado oil.

Namuddu Carol, the group chairperson

My name is Namuddu Carol, and I have the honour of leading Tusubira Women’s Group, a name that symbolises the hope we carry as women working together like a family in Kasubi Market. In just two months since our formation, we have already made remarkable progress. We are currently finalizing our bylaws as part of our registration process, laying a strong foundation for our future.

Our group has grown to 45 members, each joining by contributing a membership fee of UGX 10,000, and we aspire to reach over 60 members soon. Every Monday at 11 a.m., we come together not only to save but also to contribute a welfare fee of UGX 1,000 per meeting. In this short time, we are proud to have saved approximately UGX 2,000,000 which is a true testament to our commitment and financial discipline as women.

One of the most impactful developments for us has been the adult literacy classes introduced by the Institute for Social Transformation (IST). Many of our members, who previously struggled with basic literacy, can now write numbers, construct simple sentences, and even read signposts. The training didn’t stop at literacy; we also learned essential business management skills.  These included how to improve product quality, maintain sanitation at our stalls, enhance customer care, and most importantly, keeping proper records.

However, as with any new initiative, we face challenges. Some women struggle to attend meetings consistently, as they are not yet fully convinced of the importance of collective action. Additionally, not all members share the same level of commitment, which sometimes leads to misunderstandings and disrespect.

Looking ahead, we have several recommendations for IST and our partners at KHF. We hope for continued adult literacy classes, with additional lessons in English and technology—especially computer and smartphone usage. Beyond saving, we need skilling programs that can empower us to generate additional income, which will not only improve our livelihoods but also boost our group’s financial stability. Moreover, we request more health-focused trainings and medical camps tailored for women and youth in the market.

Our vision is clear: to strengthen our group, expand our lending portfolio, and create opportunities that uplift every member. One of our ideas is to venture into bookmaking, which could serve as both a business and a learning tool for women in Tusubira Women’s Group.

Building a Stronger Foundation – A Secretary’s Perspective

Latifah Nakagwe, Group and Market Secretary

Being part of the early formation of this group has been an eye-opening experience. While we now have more than 38 members, a key challenge I’ve observed is that many women were accustomed to government handouts and expected quick financial support from the group. Adjusting to a savings culture has been a slow but steady process.

Additionally, most of these women bear heavy financial responsibilities with minimal capital. Imagine a woman selling onions with just UGX 1,0000 as capital. How can she consistently save while also paying rent, feeding her children, and covering market dues? This reality makes loan repayments difficult, with some members taking an entire year to pay back UGX 200,000 despite working daily. More empowerment programs are necessary to uplift their financial situations.

Despite these hurdles, there is hope. The training they have received is making a difference, and more women are beginning to see the value of saving. Today, the group has over UGX 3,000,000 in savings—a clear sign that change is happening.

To further strengthen the group, I recommend that IST supports them in drafting their regulations as they prepare for official registration. Additionally, considering that most members are single mothers with growing financial pressures, finding sponsors who can offer half bursaries for their children’s education would be life-changing. Lastly, as we plan for another round of adult literacy classes, we need a thorough needs assessment to place women at the right learning levels, ensuring everyone benefits fully.

Moving Forward with Determination

Tusubira Women’s Group is an inspiration of resilience and ambition in Kasubi Market. With the right support, training, and resources, these women have the potential to transform their lives and communities. Their journey has just begun, and with continued mentorship and empowerment, their dreams of financial independence and sustainable livelihoods will soon become a reality.

My name is Kapel Joel, a 28-year-old from Maaru Sub-County in Kotido District. I am married, and together with my wife we are blessed with two children, expecting our third this year. I am a group member of the Kiteteunag group.

Before attending IST trainings, my life was very different. I was known in the village as a heavy drunkard, and my family life was not good. I left all responsibilities to my wife and never even referred to her as my wife, but simply “that woman.” I spent most of my time with a bad group of friends, and at home, I believed I was the sole decision-maker what I said was final, and no one could challenge me.

I was not involved in farming at all my daily life revolved around spending time with friends, drinking from morning until evening. But I thank WFP and IST for the unbelievable work they have done in my life since July 2024. I can see my life is getting bright. Something I had never imagined.  With the support I received, I was able to access PDM funds, and for the first time, I sat down with my wife to plan what we could achieve together through farming.

Right now, we together with my wife cultivated 8 acres of sorghum, 1 acre of cassava, an acre of sweet potatoes and 2 acres of millet and half acre of ground nuts. This is what we proudly own as a family. Thanks to WFP and IST, I am now confident that my household will always have enough food, and I will also be able to sell part of the harvest to earn money and take care of my family’s needs.

Because of WFP and IST, I was inspired to open a bank account, and now as a family we save our money there. So far, we have managed to save 350,000 UGX (USD 100), and our plan is to buy an ox-plough to support our farming and increase production, just as we had envisioned in our family vision journey.

Today, my family is a happy family, and many people wonder how we are managing to do it. In Karamoja, it is common for women to be left to do most of the hard work during harvests especially with millet but in my family, things have changed.

As a trained TOT, my dream is to see this same change spread to other families in Maaru. I have already started talking to my fellow men those I used to drink with 6 families showing them that when a man and a woman work together, even the children are happier. They are beginning to believe in me because I am living as an example.

In Karamoja, men are often known for avoiding household and farming responsibilities and that’s how we end up dying of hunger.  I am determined to change that mindset through using GALS Tools.

My name is Kiyonga Betty. I live in Maaru Sub-County, Kotido District, and I’ve been married to Achuka Abraham, aged 23, for three years. Together, we have one son. I’m a farmer I grow sorghum, green grams, groundnuts, sim sim, cowpeas, and watermelon for both sale and home consumption.

When I got married, I never imagined that I could have a say in household decisions. My husband made all the plans. I was not allowed to speak about money or express my views. And even when I was beaten, I stayed silent. I told no one. That was my life for years silent, fearful, and isolated.

Things began to shift when I attended a training organized by the Institute for Social Transformation (IST) in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). We were taught that women have the power of voice to speak up, influence decisions, and negotiate within the household. That message touched me deeply. For the first time, I felt seen.

“Before, I was silent. Now, I am a partner. I have a voice in our home and on our land. We plan together. We plant together. And I believe we are building a better future not just for ourselves, but for our son too.” Betty

Soon after that training, I received a transport refund of 120,000shs (USD 34.28) for attending the four-day sessions. My husband demanded I hand it over, saying only he plans for money. I refused and he beat me. The stress and pain were too much. I fell ill and sought refuge at my parents’ home in Rutoum village.

While there, I finally opened up about what I had been going through. For the first time, I broke the silence. We were guided through counseling, and eventually my husband came to join me so we could go through the counselling together.

I found my voice and I decided not to lose it again.After the second training, I reached out to Joel, one of the GALS-trained facilitators (TOT). He agreed to speak with my husband, and in February, they had that conversation. Just a few weeks later, I began to see change.

My husband started helping with housework. He began coming to the garden. Where I used to plant one acre of sorghum alone, this season we’ve planted five acres together.

Later, when he received UGX 1 million from the Parish Development Model (PDM) fund, he shared it with me. I proposed that we use part of the money to buy an ox-plough to improve our farming. He agreed. He even added his own idea to hire laborers to help me with weeding, since he’s currently in school preparing for Senior Four and can’t always be in the garden. This change may sound small, but for me, it is everything.

Before joining the WFP and IST trainings, my family life was filled with violence and unrest. We were known in our community for drunkenness. My husband would often sell our family cows and spend all the money at local breweries. When he returned home, he would demand food, leaving nothing to support the household. Every time I told him there was no food, it would lead to fights. Our family was falling apart, and there was no understanding or peace in our home.

When we attended the couples’ training, we both learned about the struggles women face, and my husband began to realize that his actions were wrong. After returning home, I finally found the courage to share with him what I had held in my heart for more than five years. I opened up completely, and to my relief, he listened. Today, whenever he sells a cow, he informs me first, and we discuss together how to use the money as a couple. Our decisions are now shared, and we work together as partners.

As a family, we began holding joint family planning meetings with our children, ensuring that everyone’s voice was heard and decisions were made together. The second training I attended was a leadership training for women. At 58 years old, I had never believed that women could be leaders. I never imagined that I could have a voice or the confidence to take on a leadership role, thinking that leadership was only for men.

After the training, everything changed. I gained the courage to contest for the position of Parish Councilor of Kokoria, running against five men under the NRM flag. I won the election, and I credit WFP and IST for giving me the confidence to believe in myself and step into leadership.

Nakidon Martina actively engaging in a drawing exercise during a women’s leadership training.

I am requesting the offices of IST and WFP to continue supporting women like me, helping them overcome shyness and believe in their potential. I never imagined that at the age of 58, I could step into a leadership role but with their guidance, I realized that women too can lead and make a difference.