The joint monitoring exercise in Isingiro District – Nakivale Refugee Settlement brought together key stakeholders to assess progress, strengthen coordination, and validate results under the LEAD Project Year 1 implementation.
The activity convened GNH, USSIA & TONAD alongside United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda (OPM), District leaders, and livelihood partners. The visit aimed to jointly review project performance, engage directly with beneficiaries, and ensure alignment with national refugee response and district development priorities.
Key Highlights from the Monitoring Exercise
- Field Visits to Youth-Led Enterprises
The delegation visited youth-led businesses supported under the LEAD Project, including vocational enterprises, agribusiness initiatives, and small-scale trade ventures. Beneficiaries shared testimonies on:
- Practical skills gained through certified training programs
- Access to start-up kits and mentorship support
- Improved business management and financial literacy
- Increased monthly household incomes
- Employment and Skills Development Impact
Year 1 findings indicate:
- Significant growth in youth employment, both self-employment and wage-based opportunities
- Strengthened technical and soft skills among refugee and host community youth
- Increased participation of young women in income-generating activities
- Improved resilience and reduced dependency on humanitarian aid
- Market Linkages and Private Sector Engagement
Through collaboration with private sector actors, including USSIA, youth entrepreneurs have gained:
- Market access opportunities
- Exposure to business networks
- Guidance on product quality standards
- Opportunities for scaling viable enterprises
- Social Cohesion and Community Integration
The joint approach—engaging refugee and host community youth together—continues to foster:
- Peaceful coexistence
- Shared economic growth
- Stronger community structures
- Inclusive development aligned with Uganda’s refugee response model Strategic Value of the Joint Monitoring
The presence of UNHCR, OPM, and district leadership reinforced:
- Accountability and transparency in implementation
- Evidence-based learning for program improvement
- Strengthened coordination among implementing partners
- Policy alignment with national development frameworks
The monitoring exercise concluded with reflections on scaling successful models in Year 2, deepening private sector partnerships, and expanding access to finance for youth-led enterprises.
The LEAD Project Year 1 results clearly demonstrate that when skills development, mentorship, and market access are combined, youth employment rises, incomes grow, and communities truly thrive.
