Paineto Baluku narrates his life journey of transformation plus communities since 1991 using the Change Agent Training Course

I am Paineto Baluku, a proud member of the early change agents trained in 1991. The regional course was facilitated by Quaker Service Norway. This training marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of community transformation and leadership.

In 1992, I was selected to mobilize participants for another Change Agent training held in Kasese District, where I served as a Programme Assistant. From this experience the Kasese Change Agent Branch was established, which later expanded rapidly growing to more than six active branches within the district. This growth demonstrated the hunger for knowledge, empowerment, and transformation among community members.

Over the years, I supported several regional trainings, including the first Training of Trainers (TOT) in Kabale town. I also served as one of the first Regional Auditors, participating in treasurer trainings across the Western Region and strengthening accountability and transparency within our Change Agent structures.

I dedicated myself to training our branch members, and by 1995, our team emerged 1st in the national trophy competition. In the years that followed, we consistently ranked 2nd or 3rd, collecting numerous trophies that are still proudly displayed in our branch office, which remains active to this day. Development forums played a major role in attracting non-Change Agents to join as associate members. These new members enriched our knowledge base and contributed significantly to the sustainability of our work. I was among the first Change Agents trained in local and international fundraising, and I played a key role in mobilizing resources that strengthened our programs and enabled community-led development.

One of my greatest contributions was applying Change Agent principles in the establishment of the Bukonzo Joint Cooperative Union in 1999. Today, it stands as one of the strongest local cooperatives in Uganda. The union exports coffee internationally and undertakes value addition processes such as picking, drying, hulling, grading, roasting, grinding, and marketing finished products. Through this work, we have created jobs, secured certifications from multiple international buyers and regulatory bodies both abroad and within Uganda.

My Change Agent journey has taken me far beyond Uganda. I have built strong relationships with international partners including: Seattle-USA, Zensho-Japan, GEPA-Germany and Salt Spring- Canada among others. These networks have strengthened market access, improved quality standards, and amplified community impact.

After retiring from cooperative work at the age of 60, I established a company limited in Kagadi District, where I have already trained 11 Village Change Agents (VCATs). I discovered that I cannot stop transforming lives because true development begins with a changed mindset.

To my fellow Change Agents and trainees, I say: “You have been shown how to harvest gold. Put the knowledge to work.”