How one woman transformed UGX 5,000 into a UGX 20 million business empire
Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, Uganda — When Mujawenimana Maria stepped off the bus in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement in 2018, she carried little more than hope. A 48-year-old mother fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Maria had no land, no capital, and no clear path forward in her new home.
Her days began before sunrise, doing backbreaking casual labor that earned her just UGX 5,000—barely enough to put food on the table for her children. Many nights, she went to bed wondering how she would make it through another day.
Six years later, Maria is unrecognizable from that weary woman who arrived with nothing. Today, she is a thriving entrepreneur, community employer, and inspiration to hundreds of refugees in Kyaka II. Her business portfolio—valued at over UGX 20 million—includes a maize produce shop, a charcoal retail store, a banana wholesale enterprise, two bododas, and productive farmland.
But Maria’s transformation didn’t happen by accident. It happened because she refused to give up, and because she received the right support at the right time.
The Turning Point
Maria’s life changed when she joined ADRA Uganda’s REAL Project. Through the program, she received training in Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) methodology, financial literacy, Farmers Market School principles, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
“At first, I didn’t believe UGX 5,000 a day could lead to anything,” Maria recalls. “But the training taught me that every shilling matters. I learned how to save, how to plan, and how to think like a businesswoman.”
The VSLA system became Maria’s foundation. She began saving religiously, no matter how small the amount. Within months, she had saved enough to access a small loan, which she invested in livestock. The livestock produced income, which she reinvested into renting farmland.
Building, Step by Step
Maria’s approach was methodical and strategic. As her farming venture began yielding profits, she didn’t spend the money—she reinvested it.
“I started with one small plot of land,” she explains. “When that succeeded, I rented more land. Then I saw an opportunity in the market for maize, so I opened a small shop. People needed charcoal, so I started selling that too. Every business supported the next one.”
Her diversification strategy proved wise. When one business faced challenges, others kept income flowing. The bododas provided steady daily income. The banana wholesale business capitalized on seasonal demand. The maize and charcoal stores served the everyday needs of her community.
Today, Maria doesn’t just run businesses—she creates opportunities for others. She employs several people from her community, giving other refugees and host community members the chance to earn a dignified living.
More Than Money
For Maria, success isn’t measured only in shillings. It’s measured in the smiles of her children, who now attend school regularly with fees paid on time. It’s measured in the respect she’s earned in her community, where she mentors other women starting their own businesses. It’s measured in the absence of the hunger and fear that once defined her days.
“Today, a smile is our daily bread—hunger, stress, and tears are no longer part of our home,” Maria says, her face glowing with pride. “My children eat well. They go to school. We have a future.”
She pauses, then adds: “I am no longer just surviving. I am living. I am building. I am someone.”
The REAL Impact
Maria’s story exemplifies the core philosophy of ADRA Uganda’s REAL Project: that refugees are not just recipients of aid, but individuals with tremendous potential waiting to be unlocked.
“Maria had the determination and intelligence all along,” says an ADRA staff member. “What she needed was knowledge, access to savings mechanisms, and someone to believe in her capacity. The REAL Project provided that foundation, but Maria did the hard work.”
The project’s integrated approach—combining financial literacy, agricultural training, and market access—creates a pathway from poverty to prosperity. Participants don’t just learn theory; they gain practical skills they can apply immediately to generate income.
For Maria, the training transformed not just her economic situation, but her entire mindset.
“Before, I thought I was helpless,” she reflects. “I thought my life would always be hard because I am a refugee, because I have no education, because I had nothing. But ADRA taught me that I have something powerful—my hands, my mind, and my determination. That is enough to build everything.”
A Model for Others
Maria has become a role model in Kyaka II, inspiring other refugee women to join VSLA groups and start their own businesses. She regularly shares her story at community gatherings, encouraging others not to give up.
“If I can do this, anyone can,” she tells them. “Start small. Save every shilling. Learn everything you can. Work hard. Don’t give up. Your situation today doesn’t define your tomorrow.”
Her advice is simple but powerful: “Dream, but also plan. Work hard, but also work smart. And always, always save for the future.”
Looking Ahead
Maria isn’t finished yet. She has plans to expand her businesses further, perhaps opening additional shops in other areas of the settlement. She wants to help more women in her community access training and start their own ventures.
“I know what it’s like to have nothing,” she says. “Now that I have something, I want to help others climb up too.”
Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of strategic empowerment. Maria arrived in Uganda with nothing but hope. Through hard work, determination, and the right support, she built an empire—not with handouts, but with her own hands.
Today, when Maria walks through the markets of Kyaka II, people greet her with respect. Customers come to her shops. Employees depend on her. Children look up to her. She is no longer the struggling refugee who arrived in 2018.
She is Maria—entrepreneur, employer, and living proof that with the right tools and unwavering determination, anything is possible.