Advancing Women’s Leadership Empowerment and Resilience in Uganda’s Refugee Response
Uganda has a history of armed conflict, including the long-running LRA insurgency in the north, which left deep scars through violence, abuse, and fractured communities. The country is also one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting nations, with over 1.85 million displaced people facing limited livelihood opportunities. This has led to tensions over land and resources, particularly between refugees and host communities. Women are especially vulnerable, facing risks of violence and exploitation outside of settlement areas. At the same time, climate change is worsening conditions through droughts and landslides, increasing vulnerability in rural areas.
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), drawing on its experience in peacebuilding among youth and working in refugee settlements, has learned that income-generating activities are a key foundation for peace and stability. With previous support from the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, WPDI has promoted entrepreneurship and social innovation in refugee settlements through its Business Bootcamp model. By integrating a climate component into this model, the project aims to strengthen women’s ability to start and run sustainable businesses—reducing economic vulnerability and increasing control over their income and future.
Through this project, WPDI seeks to contribute to peaceful and resilient communities by improving livelihood opportunities for women and youth in vulnerable areas of Uganda. This will be achieved through training in entrepreneurship, climate-smart agriculture, and environmentally conscious business development.
The project is supported with 2 800 000 SEK.
What happens in the project?
WPDI’s proven approach, the Business Bootcamp, will be used in this project and consists of three phases: training, business development, and incubator support.
Phase 1 begins with the recruitment of participants and the delivery of training in two key areas: entrepreneurship and climate-resilient agriculture.
In Phase 2, the focus shifts to helping participants transform their newly acquired knowledge into concrete business initiatives. This includes:
- – Business plan competitions where participants present their ideas
- – Further development of these ideas into fully formed business plans
- – Formation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to improve access to capital and foster local innovation
- – All activities are reviewed and supported by a supervisory committee composed of representatives from WPDI, international foundations, government bodies, and private sector actors. The committee ensures that the business plans are technically sound and market-oriented.
Phase 3 focuses on supporting and monitoring the small and medium-sized enterprises that are established, to ensure their sustainability and growth.
Why is the project supported?
The project helps build peaceful, resilient, and economically viable communities in vulnerable environments — a vital step toward a sustainable future.
Project time status
15%
This project started in July 2025 and ends in June 2027
For more information: https://www.wpdi.org/
