In the heart of Kinoni Subcounty, Kiruhura District, Gladys Komugisha and her group members are leading a quiet revolution. As the Chairperson of the Kagando Value Addition Group, Gladys says they have transitioned from traditional farmers to skilled entrepreneurs and community mentors. “Previously, we were just women in a village,” Gladys says. “Today, we are business owners. We are no longer just consumers; we are producers.”
The Transformation:
Through a partnership with the Kyambogo University team and the AgriFose2030 initiative, Gladys and her group have undergone a series of intensive, high-quality trainings. Starting with yogurt production and smearing jelly, the group has now expanded into advanced bakery, mastering the art of making professional-grade doughnuts, cakes, and bread.
Their products attract customers
The impact on their daily lives has been immediate:
Household Savings: The women no longer buy expensive household essentials like ghee; they manufacture high-quality versions themselves using local materials.
Income Generation: Surplus products are sold in local markets, providing a reliable stream of cash.
Child Welfare: Increased income is being directly reinvested into the health and education of their children.
Gladys’s vision goes beyond her own success. She understands that for a community to thrive, knowledge must be shared. “We intend to share these skills with our neighbors. When we are many, we can raise bigger capital and access larger markets together. This isn’t just about one woman; it’s about our whole community rising.” Gladys Komugisha
While the training has provided the “know-how,” the Kagando group faces a significant geographical challenge: a lack of electricity. Currently, the group struggles to preserve perishable products like yogurt, which limits their ability to scale and reach distant markets. Gladys’s story proves that the foundation for a thriving rural economy has been laid. The women of Kinoni are trained, organized, and motivated.