“Before the construction, I faced many challenges, but after seeing the house, I now hope that everything will be okay,” says Nikuze Uwimana, a widow and mother of six who fled to Uganda earlier this year after armed groups attacked her home in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Escaping Violence
In early 2025, Nikuze’s life was shattered when her village in Buito came under attack. Armed men stormed her community, killing her husband and several relatives. With her children in danger, she fled. “I was escaping because they wanted to kill me after they had killed my people, including my husband,” she recalls.
Leaving meant abandoning her farm, livestock, and a small business that sustained her family. The sudden loss of both her loved ones and her livelihood forced her to start from nothing in a foreign land.
Struggles Upon Arrival
Arriving at Nakivale Refugee Settlement in southwestern Uganda, Nikuze found herself with no proper shelter. With only a few materials, she built a small hut from tarpaulin, grass, and wooden poles. The structure, however, could not withstand the cold nights or keep out mosquitoes.
“It was too small, and it couldn’t protect us. At night, we were cold, and the mosquitoes would bite us. Sometimes I had to sleep outside with the older children because there was limited space. I didn’t even have enough food to give my six children, no saucepans, jerrycans, or clothes,” Nikuze Uwimana explains.
Alongside the struggle to survive, she was also carrying the heavy burden of stress and trauma from the war and the loss of her husband.
According to Biira B. Leticia, a Clinical Psychologist with Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) Uganda, such conditions deepen distress among new arrivals. “The biggest mental health crisis here is trauma, depression, and anxiety. Refugees are constantly anxious about survival, what to eat, where to stay, and how to live in this new reality,” she says.
A Widening Crisis
Uganda hosts over 1.8 million refugees, mainly from the DRC, South Sudan, and Sudan. Its progressive refugee-hosting policy allows families to settle, cultivate land, and access services. Yet, dwindling international funding has strained resources.
In 2025 alone, 131,335 new refugees arrived in Uganda by September, representing a 31% increase from the same period in 2024. Of these, over 72,000 were Congolese, entering through Nyakabande, Matanda, Sebagoro, Bubukwanga, and West Nile. With the Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan already among the most underfunded globally, the growing influx risks worsening unmet needs in shelter, healthcare, and psychosocial support.
A Holistic Intervention
To address the challenges faced by new arrivals in Nakivaale refugee settlement, DanChurchAid (DCA), in partnership with TPO Uganda, introduced the Survivor Community-Led Response (SCLR) approach, which combines group cash transfers with community-based mental health and psychosocial support. The program empowers refugees and local groups to take the lead in meeting urgent needs while ensuring psychological recovery.
Support from TPO Uganda and DCA
TPO Uganda provided psychosocial support and shelter assistance, implemented in partnership with DCA Uganda, funded by Augustinus Foundation. When the staff reached Nikuze, they listened to her story and began offering counselling to help her cope with the trauma she carried. Shortly after, she was also supported with the construction of a permanent house for her family.
“It was too small, and it couldn’t protect us. At night, we were cold, and the mosquitoes would bite us. Sometimes I had to sleep outside with the older children because there was limited space. I didn’t even have enough food to give my six children, no saucepans, jerrycans, or clothes,” Nikuze Uwimana explains.
Leticia emphasises the value of such interventions: “Healing cannot happen when someone has no food or shelter. That’s why this project’s holistic approach is powerful, it supports treatment while also addressing livelihoods and shelter. It’s not just about treating trauma; it’s about helping people adjust to the new life they are living now.”
A Place to Recover
For Nikuze, the house was more than a roof over her head. It marked the beginning of recovery for her and her children. “This house will help me because my children will be better off. They won’t be disturbed by mosquitoes or cold anymore. Having the house was the first priority; the next things will follow after, especially when I get a good night’s sleep,” she shares.
Leticia explains that such interventions have ripple effects in the wider community. “We are already seeing change. Many people are better than they were before. Community structures we trained can now identify mental health needs, offer psychological first aid, and refer cases quickly. That has made our response timelier and more effective.”
Dreams Rekindled
Back in the DRC, Nikuze combined farming with small trade to support her family. Though restarting in Uganda has been challenging, the stability of having a permanent home has allowed her to consider rebuilding her livelihood. “After getting the house, I plan to start a small trading business. I will buy items like rice, oil, small fish, maize, tomatoes, and other goods to care for my children and myself,” she shares.
Gratitude and Appeal
For Nikuze, the support she received was life-changing. “I was worried about how to get a house without a husband to look after me, but I am very grateful. After I got the house, everything felt sorted. I also ask you to support others so they can find shelter, just as I did,” she says.
Her words capture both the pain of loss and the relief of stability. With the combined support of counselling and a safe home, Nikuze and her six children can now look ahead with renewed strength and a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity.
About this Project
Project Period: Ongoing upto December 2025
Donor: Augustinus Foundation
Theme: Save Lives
