Pajimungu Farmers Group was formed in 2022. Its members include both young and older refugees, many of whom have the willingness to farm, but little or no land of their own.

Determined to build a livelihood, the members pooled money from their individual savings and rented two acres of land from a host community member near a river. They chose to grow tomatoes.

Their determination, combined with skills gained through ForAfrika training and mentorship, began to pay off. From several tomato harvests, the group earned close to UGX 8 million (approximately USD 1,992). The income helped members buy food, pay school fees, and cover household needs that had previously been supported through food assistance.

The results gave them confidence to expand. The group rented three additional acres of land from host community landlords and established larger tomato gardens, alongside about three quarters of an acre of cabbage.

Despite being located near a river, the farmers struggled to access enough water during the dry season. Without reliable irrigation, parts of the rented land could not be fully utilized, and production dropped at the very time when tomato prices could be most favourable.

For the group, the problem was not a lack of effort or farming knowledge. It was access to water. That is where targeted support made a critical difference. Through support from the World Food Programme and Mastercard Foundation, ForAfrika selected Pajimungu Farmers Group for additional assistance because the members had already demonstrated commitment, production experience and the potential to grow.

The group received an irrigation system, a water tank and a pump capable of drawing water from the nearby source to the gardens, together with agricultural inputs to support production.

The impact is already visible. The farmers have planted approximately one and a half acres and are now irrigating their crops even during the dry season. For the first time, the group is better positioned to produce consistently across seasons instead of depending entirely on rainfall.

Members expect the irrigation system to increase production, reduce dry-season losses, and allow them to sell tomatoes during periods when market prices are often higher. They are targeting revenues of more than UGX 10 million (approximately USD 2,490) from a successful production cycle.

For the farmers, this is about much more than increasing yields. Reliable production means food on the table, children staying in school, greater household stability, and a reduced dependence on humanitarian assistance.

It also demonstrates the difference that investment in productive assets can make. By addressing one critical bottleneck, access to water, the support is helping a group that had already shown initiative to turn its farming experience into a more sustainable enterprise.

The group’s journey also reflects a wider shift toward refugee self-reliance in Uganda. As humanitarian resources become increasingly constrained, livelihood programmes are becoming essential in helping refugee households build sustainable sources of income and resilience.