Project Ayimalu: Entrepreneurship Training in Rural Northern Uganda
Written by: Lilian Nansubuga
In 2025, Street Business School expanded its work to Buliisa in northern Uganda, bringing entrepreneurship training to communities that had not previously accessed SBS programs.
Through Project Ayimalu, supported by Empower and Shine, SBS partnered with local community-based organizations (CBOs) to deliver practical entrepreneurship training that equipped individuals with the skills and confidence to increase household income and create new opportunities.
The project was built around the belief that when people have the right knowledge, support, and confidence, they can take steps toward building stronger businesses and more secure futures.
Inspiring Results
Over 670 people graduated from the SBS training, exceeding the original goal of 600! This showed the high community interest and spoke to the need for a proven business training in Buliisa. Graduates increased their income by over 80% from the start to the end in this first year of the SBS program, and 87% owned businesses at program exit.
Reaching Communities Through Local Partnerships
Reaching entrepreneurs in a new district meant working with people who already had the community’s trust. SBS partnered with six community-based organizations in Buliisa and trained local facilitators to deliver the Street Business School curriculum. Participants learned close to home, from trainers who know their communities firsthand.
Putting Business Skills to Work
For many participants, Project Ayimalu provided more than entrepreneurship lessons—it created a space to rethink what was possible. Participants learned practical business skills, including how to understand customers, manage money, keep records, and make decisions that support growth.
Many graduates used these skills to strengthen existing businesses or explore new income-generating activities. Graduates shared how improved business knowledge helped them better provide for household needs, including food, education expenses, and other priorities.
The program also supported parents and guardians as they strengthened their livelihoods and created greater stability and opportunities for their children.
Celebrating 670 Graduates
Graduation day brought together families, community leaders, partners, and stakeholders to celebrate. More than 670 graduates marched side by side, proud of the hard work it took to complete the program. The day captured what made Project Ayimalu a success: local organizations, trainers, participants, and community leaders all working toward the same goal.
The project showed that community-led approaches can bring entrepreneurship training to rural areas, and that the impact grows as it spreads from individual businesses to families and the wider community.
Continuing the Journey
Project Ayimalu represents an important step in Street Business School’s efforts to reach more entrepreneurs across Uganda. Through local partnerships and community-based solutions, SBS will keep helping people build better futures for themselves and their families.
Street Business School is thankful for the Empower and Shine team for making Project Ayimalu possible and for supporting entrepreneurship opportunities in Buliisa District. Stay tuned — we can’t wait to share what happened with this project in 2026!
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