Rukungiri WhatsApp Group Transforms Lives Through Shs200m Investment

What began as a casual WhatsApp group for peers has blossomed into a significant force for good in Nyakishenyi Sub-county, Rukungiri District. The “Nyakishenyi at Heart” group, founded in 2021 by 20 youths, now boasts 1,200 members and has shifted its focus from social connections to community empowerment.

Under the coordination of Mr. Moses Tukesiga, the group has successfully raised and disbursed over Shs200 million for various development initiatives. These efforts include organizing vital medical camps, providing essential scholastic materials to schoolchildren, and constructing much-needed homes for vulnerable families.

The group’s impact was highlighted when a member shared a video depicting extreme poverty in Kakonde village. Within days, members mobilized Shs3 million to provide immediate relief, including food, soap, and bedding, and to assess the dire situation further. The village, with 500 residents, had only two iron-sheet-roofed houses, with the majority resorting to grass-thatched shelters.

Residents of Kakonde village expressed their struggles, citing a lack of accessible health facilities and schools, with the nearest being approximately 15 kilometers away. Poor road networks also hinder access to markets for local farmers. The community has appealed to the government and well-wishers for economic empowerment initiatives and improved social services.

“We realized our communities back home were in dire poverty,” Mr. Tukesiga stated, emphasizing the visible indicators like numerous grass-thatched homes. The group’s proactive approach demonstrates how digital platforms can be leveraged for tangible, positive change in rural communities.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-a-whatsapp-group-is-empowering-communities-in-rukungiri-5545368