Abubakar Muhamed lives in Uganda’s Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement with his wife and four children. The family arrived here after fleeing the ravages of war in Sudan. In the stifling heat of the settlement, resilience shows itself in countless ways. For Abubakar, it manifests as a dream: to build a poultry farm that feeds not only his family but also the community. This dream seemed grand and out of reach when he first arrived.
Building a business in a refugee settlement
Grappling with challenges
“When I first came here, I had no idea we were allowed to work or start businesses as refugees,” Abubakar admits. “I felt stuck – like I had left the war but was still trapped.”
Navigating Uganda’s business environment proved daunting and Abubakar faced legal uncertainties. He lacked knowledge about how to access land and had no guidance on how to register a business. For months, his ambition to start a poultry farm remained just that – a distant aspiration.
Without a stable income, providing for his family was a daily struggle. The absence of diverse food options – particularly sources of protein, like chicken and meat – in the settlement added to his frustration.
A turning point
Abubakar’s breakthrough came during a community information session conducted by the South Sudanese Women Building Association (SSWBA), with support from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The session on Uganda’s employment laws revealed a game-changing truth: refugees could legally run a business within the country.
“It was like a door opening,” Abubakar recalls. “I finally saw a path forward.”
With support from the SSWBA and NRC, Abubakar received legal counselling and assistance with navigating Uganda’s business processes. He secured a trading licence and, with the help of the Office of the Prime Minister, obtained two plots of land. One plot is dedicated to poultry farming, while the other is temporarily under maize cultivation but is earmarked for future expansion into sheep rearing.
Grappling with challenges
“When I first came here, I had no idea we were allowed to work or start businesses as refugees,” Abubakar admits. “I felt stuck – like I had left the war but was still trapped.”
Navigating Uganda’s business environment proved daunting and Abubakar faced legal uncertainties. He lacked knowledge about how to access land and had no guidance on how to register a business. For months, his ambition to start a poultry farm remained just that – a distant aspiration.
Without a stable income, providing for his family was a daily struggle. The absence of diverse food options – particularly sources of protein, like chicken and meat – in the settlement added to his frustration.
A turning point
Abubakar’s breakthrough came during a community information session conducted by the South Sudanese Women Building Association (SSWBA), with support from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The session on Uganda’s employment laws revealed a game-changing truth: refugees could legally run a business within the country.
“It was like a door opening,” Abubakar recalls. “I finally saw a path forward.”
With support from the SSWBA and NRC, Abubakar received legal counselling and assistance with navigating Uganda’s business processes. He secured a trading licence and, with the help of the Office of the Prime Minister, obtained two plots of land. One plot is dedicated to poultry farming, while the other is temporarily under maize cultivation but is earmarked for future expansion into sheep rearing.
Building a vision
Abubakar’s poultry farm is soon set to launch with 5,000 chickens. But he’s already thinking bigger.
“Starting with 5,000 chickens is just the beginning,” he says with a smile. “I want to grow this to 25,000 chickens and add sheep rearing within a year. This business will sustain my family, create jobs and make food more accessible and affordable for my community.”
The settlement, home to both new and long-established refugees, has a significant demand for affordable protein sources. Abubakar’s venture aims to fill this gap while creating economic opportunities for others.
“My community is used to having meat, chicken and fish,” Abubaker explains. “I want to make these accessible for my people.”
A ripple effect
Abubakar’s journey highlights the transformative power of information and targeted support. By equipping him with the knowledge and resources he needed, the SSWBA and NRC turned his dream into a tangible reality.
“I never thought this would be possible,” Abubakar says during our visit to his business site. “Now I believe not just in my dream, but in my ability to achieve it.”
As construction progresses on his farm, Abubakar’s story is a testament to what is possible when determination meets opportunity, with the help of support systems designed to empower.
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