“We used to see ourselves as just farmers,” says Victor Birungi, Chairperson of the Kiruhura Women in Value Addition (KWIVA). “But after our first trip to Kyam203bogo University, our perspective shifted. We stopped thinking about survival and started thinking about industry.”

Products they make from ghee

Integrated Biogas and Bakery Systems

Under Victor’s leadership, the group has moved beyond basic dairy. Through the support of the AgriFoSe2030 Project and Kyambogo University, the women have integrated modern technology with traditional resources.

Clean Energy for Speed: The installation of biogas systems and ovens has revolutionized their production. “This speeds up our yogurt processing and allows us to bake bread and cakes at a commercial scale,” Victor explains.

Zero-Waste Ingredients: As mixed farmers, the group uses what they already own. By replacing expensive industrial cooking oil with local cow ghee and using their own eggs and yellow bananas, they have slashed production costs.

Victor and her team recognized a common hurdle: individual farmers often lack the capital for high-end machinery. To solve this, they have pioneered the “School Model” program. “We work collectively. By pooling our resources and using a centralized production hub, we reduce individual capital requirements and can fulfill much larger orders. We are no longer individuals; we are a unified supply chain.”

Victor Birungyi explaining how she uses the biogas

The Results: Mindset Change

The biggest achievement hasn’t been the equipment, but the mindset change. Victor personally led the effort to demystify myths and misconceptions about biogas energy. Today, the women are disciplined record-keepers who took detailed notes during their training to ensure every member of the group even those who couldn’t attend is empowered with the same skills.

Breaking into Formal Markets

The Kiruhura Women are already competitive, but they are aiming for the global stage. Their next hurdle is obtaining formal UNBS registration and certification to unlock premium supermarket shelves and export opportunities. “We are committed to making our group proud,” Victor says. “We have the skills, we have the biogas, and we have the collective will. We are ready to grow.”

Permit from UNBS for certification was granted