A journey of transformation, resilience, and hope since 2018.
Six years since co-creating Unidos with nothing but a dream. What started with 30 people meeting under trees has grown into a movement where thousands of refugees have been trained. To celebrate, Unidos shared food with 200 newly arrived refugees and exceeded their fundraising goal by $145.
With partners Re-Alliance and Generation Restoration, Unidos built 14 Arboloo Ecosan composting toilets for refugee families. In Nakivale, where sanitation coverage is only 36%, each toilet provides hygiene, privacy, and dignity while turning waste into nutrient-rich compost for healthier crops.
Over 1,500 refugee and host families across Nakivale and Kyangwali settlements planted more than 10,000 trees through the Food Forest Initiative. The trees provide fruits, shade, and habitats for pollinators while restoring biodiversity on once-barren land and building climate resilience.
The REGESOIL project was selected among 15 finalists of the Moonshot Award in two categories: Borderless and NGO Awards. Unidos was also nominated for The Earthshot Prize, a global environmental award recognizing bold solutions for a sustainable future.
Unidos celebrated World Refugee Day alongside OPM, UNHCR, and partner organizations. Women showcased soap-making livelihoods, youth demonstrated organic fertilizer production, and families displayed thriving food forests. The event highlighted how refugees are active contributors to solutions for climate change, food insecurity, and poverty.
Launched the first Mushroom Spawn Multiplication Hub with four groups of refugee women. Mushroom cultivation is protein-rich, space-efficient, and grows quickly using local resources. The hub fights malnutrition while generating income for refugee families.
Unidos was represented alongside the Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR, and NGOs like Alight at the International Women's Day celebrations. Women showcased innovative organic products including vermicompost fertilizer, moringa-based soap, shower jelly, and mushrooms, proving they are key players in local economic development.
Women in Nakivale took the lead in educating their communities about family planning and reproductive health. Through group discussions and one-on-one counseling, they break down myths, reduce stigma, and ensure accurate information reaches as many people as possible.
Won £25,000 for our REGESOIL project - selected from 174 entries worldwide. The prize recognized how we improve soil productivity and provide life-saving nutrition.
Paulinho Muzaliwa received this prestigious award from USA for UNHCR for "visionary leadership and extraordinary dedication to helping people forcibly displaced."
Successfully completed our Regenerate the Soil project funded by UNHCR Refugee-led Innovation Fund. Trained 501 farmers, established 4 food forest demonstration sites on 15 acres.
Our first cohort of 15 women - the "Eagles Power" group led by Furaha Bahati - celebrated their first bountiful mushroom harvest after intensive training.
Represented alongside OPM, UNHCR, and NGOs. Showcased organic products: vermicompost, moringa soap, shower jelly, and mushrooms - all made by refugee women.
Recognized for our regenerative agriculture work at Nakivale. Nearly 1,000 refugees from Somalia, Congo, and Burundi graduated as ecological farmers.
Built large-scale worm compost system processing 800kg-1 ton of food waste weekly. Converting organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for refugee farmers.
Featured in UNHCR's 2023 Climate Change and Forced Displacement report as a case study of refugees spearheading climate resilience solutions.
Selected as 1 of 15 winners from 1,500 applicants (0.07% selection rate) for our REGESOIL project. Major funding to scale vermicomposting, establish food forests, and train 500+ farmers in regenerative agriculture.
Selected among 8 finalists from 41 applicants for $5,000 funding. First infrastructure for REGESOIL vermicomposting pilot - converting food waste into organic fertilizer at Nakivale.
Won community vote for Social Impact Award Uganda. Received business incubation in Austria for REGESOIL project business model development - learning to scale regenerative agriculture as a sustainable enterprise.
Launched moringa soap micro-business. Women grow moringa trees, process leaves into natural soap, and sell products for income - building confidence and independence.
Established multiple food forests promoting biodiversity. Introduced drought-resistant plantings that restore soil health and provide food even as climate change makes farming harder.
Began collaboration with Defiants to build a digital education center. Introduced web3 skills training and connected refugees to the global digital economy.
During the pandemic lockdown, expanded our permaculture garden. What started as a response to crisis became a movement - training thousands in sustainable farming.
When food rations were cut to 40%, Paulinho Muzaliwa and fellow refugees founded Unidos. Built on a simple idea: by sharing knowledge and skills, we can grow our own food, create our own jobs, and restore our environment.
Help us write the next chapter of transformation and hope.
