Baraka Mugenyi – Innovation that transformed a Household

Baraka Mugenyi, a father of seven from Kyangwali Refugee Settlement Kiliima, once found himself caught in a cycle of hard work with little to show for it. His days were spent tending to his gardens and rearing a small number of chickens, yet his efforts barely improved his family’s situation. His poultry remained stunted and weak, often selling at very low prices. No matter how determined he was, he couldn’t expand his flock or increase his income.

Everything began to shift when his community was introduced to practical and innovative solutions through the CLIRK Project “Climate innovations for resilience in Karamoja and Kyangwali implemented by Ubuntu bwa Casalina, UCAA, and CARE. For Baraka, these interventions opened a door he had never imagined.

One of the game changers was the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming innovation. Baraka learned how to cultivate the larvae and produce nutritious feed for his poultry. The results were immediate and impressive: his birds started growing faster, healthier, and much bigger than before. With better quality birds, he now sells at higher prices and can rear more at once without fear of loss. What used to be a struggle has now become a reliable source of income.

Baraka also adopted the innovation of vertical gardening, a method that helped him make the most of his limited land. He now grows vegetables throughout the year, ensuring his home has a constant supply of greens. This has improved his family's diet and drastically reduced the money spent on food, allowing him to meet other needs more easily.

Today, Baraka speaks with pride about how far he has come. He credits the support and knowledge from the partnering organizations for giving him a foundation to rebuild his life. Most importantly, he feels empowered to share these innovations with others. He encourages fellow community members to try BSF farming and vertical gardens so they too can experience progress.