BY Grace Nakajje
Refugees have always been regarded as a marginalized group, restricted to specific considerations given the area of governance and in most cases denied employment, and education which has pushed many into dubious activities of drug abuse, prostitution and begging on streets.
However, despite these challenges, Refugees of Nabulagala United Methodist Church in Uganda believe they can revitalize the situation.
They told the Coordinator Ministries and Missions of the East Africa Episcopal Area, Samuel Mdune that they have identified business opportunities in the areas of Music Studio, Tailoring, Restaurant Management, Saloon, Zero Grazing and other small scale businesses.
 Some of the members (L) of Nabulagala UMC pose for a photo with the EAAC Sam Mdune in front of their Church (photo by Grace Nakajje )
They said that once they achieve the target then they will be able to contribute to the buying of a plot of land for the construction of their church, as well as access health care, education and alleviate poverty.Mdune was in Nabulagala United Methodist Church, June 5 2010 to meet the Pastor, and the Church Leaders including those of Women, Youths and Project Leaders to remind them on the UMC Mission and values and also to undertake a Needs Assessment together with the Church leaders, and to prioritize their needs and challenges so as to come up with a Plan of Action for the same.Examples are these two refugee women who have ventured into entrepreneurship development by hawking Africa fabrics locally called “Bitenge”.
 Arida Michelene (left) &Beatrice Nyarabitanga (right) hawking their fabrics in one of the slum area in Kampala. (Photo Grace Nakajje)
Arida Michelene 42 years old and Beatrice Nyirabitanga 33 years old walk long distances but maintain will never get weary until they realize their dreams of supporting their households and also contribute to the growth of UMC Church.
Michelene got a loan of $150 from the Church and has managed to expand her business with a weekly average sale of $20. Michelene lost her husband, all her 3 children and parents during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and her only hope is in the Church.
Arida Negotiating with a customer (photo by Grace Nakajje)
Although Michelene lost her children, she is passionate about the orphans and widows.
She hopes to expand her business into fashion and design superstore. She also wants to become a model not only to the refugees but also the world over.
Some of the clients posse for a photograph (photo by Grace Nakajje)
For Beatrice Nyirabitanga, she says her main focus is on how to raise her six children. She earns an average of $10 per week which is basically for daily survival.
Beatrice Nyirabitanga with her children displaying some of her samples to a buyer at her residence in Mengo slum Kampala (photo Grace Nakajje)
Beatrice could not qualify for a loan from the Church. She depends on wholesalers who entrust her with fabrics and later pay her by commission.
Currently Nabulagala UMC has a total number of 314 Refugees from Rwanda, Congo and Burundi who came about due to rebel activities in these countries.
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