Busone Brick Makers Group, inspired by Change Agent Makara James.

Busone Brick Makers is self-help group that Makara Jameson, Change agent of Nabiswera branch, Nakasongola district is working with. The group is located near the shores of Lake Kyoga, in Nabiswera sub-county, Nakasongola District. The group is composed of 16 rural men and women, who are mostly engaged in agriculture and fishing. The group was founded in the year 2000, and its main objective is to uplift the standard of living of its members.

In 2003, members of Busone Brick Makers group participated in an SRPD Training Course, which was organized and conducted by Nabiswera Branch. The skills and knowledge acquired by the members trained, strengthened the group. In 2005, members of Busone Brick makers participated in a CAT course which was organized and conducted by UCAA for Nakasongola District. In 2008, Busone Brick Makers Group requested for a Management Training course, which was conducted and the group members trained. In addition, Nabiswera Branch has organized and conducted several Development Forums which members of Busone Brick Makers have attended.

The main activity of the group is brick making, which was initiated in 2000. The group makes about 30,000 brick annually. The bricks made are sold to members at a subsidized price for constructing their houses; and some bricks are sold to other people within and outside their area. This has helped members to construct permanent buildings, thus improving their standard of living. Proceeds from sales are invested back into the project, thus expanding gradually. At the end of every year, members share dividends from the profits realized

The group also acquired a maize huller, which has turned out to be very useful to the community. As most people in the area grow maize, they take their maize to the maize huller for milling at a cost, but members are charged at a subsidized rate

Busone Brick Makers operates a Savings and Credit Scheme, where members make their savings and access credit facilities. They also keep proper books of accounts, which are inspected by the group members regularly

Individually, members of Busone Brick maker’s carryout farming activities – they grow maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and groundnuts. They also rear cattle, chicken and other animals. Some members are engaged in fishing. All their produce has ready market within and without. Therefore members have enough food for their homes and are able to meet their basic and genuine needs. The improved standards of living of members of Busone Brick Makers, has impacted positively on the community they live in.