In Nakivale Refugee Settlement, many families arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Having fled conflict and uncertainty, their first challenge is finding a safe place to sleep. Yet amid this hardship, refugees have come together to help one another rebuild, literally from the ground up.
Across the settlement, small volunteer groups are uniting to support new arrivals, constructing shelters using their own hands and the few materials they can gather. These homes are simple, but they restore dignity and offer protection to families who have lost everything.
One such group is Tushirikiani, meaning “let’s work together.” The group of eight refugee volunteers has become a lifeline for many families who would otherwise have no roof over their heads. Their compassion and teamwork are rooted in a shared experience; they, too, once arrived in Nakivale with nothing.
From Refugee to Community Leader
Among them is Bahati Seba Zungu, a Congolese refugee who has lived in Nakivale since 2008. He remembers clearly what it felt like to arrive with no food, no shelter, and no idea what tomorrow would bring.
“I know what it feels like to arrive with nothing; that is why, when a fellow refugee comes asking for help, we cannot turn them away. We have walked the same journey before,” Bahati says.
As the leader of Tushirikiani, Bahati has seen the power of unity firsthand. What began as a small act of kindness, helping one family at a time, has grown into a community-driven effort that supports dozens of vulnerable families every year.
A Community Approach to Recovery
The volunteers’ commitment soon drew attention from humanitarian actors working in Nakivale. Through the Group Cash Transfer (GCT) approach, supported by DanChurchAid (DCA) in partnership with TPO Uganda and funded by the Augustinus Foundation through DCA’s Humanitarian Crisis Fund, the group received emergency Group Cash Transfers to strengthen their work.
With this support, Tushirikiani expanded its impact, building new shelters, repairing damaged ones, and improving sanitation facilities for the most vulnerable. Alongside the construction work, psychosocial support from TPO Uganda helped families begin to heal from trauma and loss.
“When TPO came, they asked us to help a group of vulnerable people. We agreed immediately,” Bahati says. “Now, with their support, we have the chance to reach more families than before.”
Building Homes, Strengthening Bonds
Each shelter built by the group tells a story of solidarity. For new arrivals who once slept under trees or makeshift tents, these homes represent security, dignity, and belonging.
“What we are doing is out of the heart of love,” Bahati explains. “By supporting one another, we are also creating relationships. There is unity; we work with the same heart in the group and in the community.”
Group members divide responsibilities, from brickmaking to construction, ensuring everyone contributes to the process. Together, they have turned their shared pain into collective strength.
The Bigger Picture in Nakivale
Despite these efforts, the challenges in Nakivale remain immense. Hafiz Olwambo, Assistant Settlement Commandant with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), explains: “Nakivale receives new arrivals every day, and with that comes pressure on services. Access to clean water, mental health support, child protection, and livelihoods are areas where we still need more help. The reduction in food rations has also made life harder for families.”
He highlights the importance of the Group Cash Transfer (GCT) approach, saying, “This project is important because it engages the community directly. By giving groups cash grants to support persons with special needs, we are not only helping the most vulnerable but also building a sense of ownership within the settlement.”
Olwambo noted that this approach helps build resilience. “The shelter project by DCA and TPO is a very good approach because it involves the community. It moves people away from thinking they must always be supported 100% and instead encourages them to contribute. Even if NGOs leave, the skills and unity built here will remain.”
A Future Built on Unity
For Bahati, leading Tushirikiani has been a journey of growth. He has gained construction experience, leadership skills, and the respect of his community. But his greatest pride lies in the families who now live under secure roofs. “I have gained so much experience, but the greatest reward is seeing the improvement in the lives of those we build for,” he reflects.
He dreams of a future where refugees continue to help one another, building on the spirit of compassion that first brought his group together. “I think in the future they will be happy,” he says, looking at the shelters rising across the settlement. “Because they will see improvement in their lives.”
In Nakivale, the challenges of displacement are real and pressing. But through the collaboration of refugees, community groups, and organisations like DCA Uganda and TPO Uganda, families who once arrived with nothing are beginning to rebuild one home, one family, and one act of solidarity at a time.
About this Project
Project Period: April-December 2025
Donor: Augustinus Foundation through DCA’s Humanitarian Crisis Fund
Theme: Save lives
