Our projects in Uganda with TA Crusade support young men and women to gain technical and business skills, start their own enterprises, or find formal employment. In October 2025, Tools for Self Reliance CEO, Sarah Ingleby, and Africa Programme Manager, Cecily Bryant, visited the TA Crusade training centre to meet trainees on our current projects and follow-up with previous project graduates.
Beatrice in 2019
When we met Beatrice in 2019, she had just completed her Vocational Training in Tailoring with TA Crusade. She had gone from a novice with no sewing experience, to a confident young seamstress with her own tailoring business.
This represented a huge development in Beatrice’s life. After completing school, Beatrice had been unable to find formal employment and had turned to helping her family on their small farm. Occasional babysitting jobs meant she might make UGX 4,000 in a week. But Beatrice dreamed of finding an occupation that would fulfil her creative desires and give her financial independence. It was after a recommendation from a friend that Beatrice approached TA Crusade and enrolled to learn tailoring.
After 12 months of training, Beatrice had the skills and confidence to earn an income. With an average monthly income of 140,000 Ugandan Shillings (UGX), Beatrice was able to send money to her parents to help support her brothers, and she was also able to invest in her business. She explained that she had bought an iron for her workshop, to give her garments a professional finish and her business a competitive edge. She planned to expand her business further in the future.
Two years passed, during which Beatrice grew her business, in spite of a global pandemic. When we visited Beatrice again in 2021, she had employed another tailor, and taken on two apprentices. She told us, “I feel very happy and proud of myself.”
It is now seven years since Beatrice began her training. She is married with a 6 month old baby. We were delighted to reconnect with her on our recent Partnership Visit to Uganda.
Beatrice is happily established in her workshop, which now has power. She has invested UGX 350,000 to purchase a second sewing machine, and she continues to mentor her apprentice. In busy months, Beatrice’s business can bring in UGX 300,000 – 400,000. She was looking forward to November and December when customers place orders in time for Christmas. Beatrice saves a little of her income every day.
In the coming year, Beatrice plans to further expand her business. She has already started selling fabrics directly to her customers, to supplements the money she earns from dress making orders. Over the coming year, Beatrice wants to increase her product range to offer coats and trousers. She told us, “Over the years, my skills have developed and I am a better tailor now.”
Kiseka Dan, Welding trainee
Dan left school aged 14 years. Without the qualifications to find formal employment, Dan’s future was uncertain. In 2024, Dan joined our 12 month Vocational Training project to learn Metal Fabrication. After 6 months, he was able to make a range of shelves, doors and windows, gates and grills, decorative items and furniture. Together with his classmates, he made 20 bunk beds to equip the training centre’s dormitory, showcasing his skills and benefiting the local community.
Dan was soon earning 80,000 – 100,000 Ugandan Shillings per week form his welded products. With his income, Dan could meet personal needs, help support his family and pay rent on his home and workshop space.
Dan graduated onto our Transition to Work project earlier this year to receive a business start-up grant and ongoing support during the first year of running a business. He is learning to keep customer records, record income and expenditure, calculate profit and manage his finances.
Dan in his workshop
When we visited Dan in October, he had established “Molongo & Sons” with fellow welding graduates. He explained how they used their business grant to pay rent on the premises and purchase a second welding machine to take to jobs. Dan told us that welding work is easy to find as there is a lot of construction work taking place in the area. With the money they earn from working off-site, Dan and his business partners can buy in materials to keep their workshop stocked. They can design and make products to sell and having a range of items on display helps to attract more customers.
Dan told us how the Transition to Work training has helped with managing cash flow. He explained that when clients place orders for custom made products, he always asks for a deposit. This covers the cost of materials for the job. The balance is payable on collection, and if a customer fails to return, Dan and his partners can sell the products, ensuring their stock is not depleted and they are not left out of pocket. When the money comes in, the group decide how much they will take in earnings and what they will save. Dan told us, “Saving as a group helps to force me to save for the things I need.”
“Molongo & Sons” is gradually increasing its customer base, mainly through recommendations and word of mouth. They plan to to continue working together and to carry on expanding their business over the next few years.
In July we welcomed a new cohort of trainees to our Vocational Training project. 130 men and women are learning their choice of Auto-Mechanics, Catering, Construction, Electrical Installation and Repair, Hairdressing, Plumbing, Tailoring or Welding. In addition to learning technical trades skills, trainees will complete financial literacy and business skills training and undertake a 3-month work placement. With micro-entrepreneurial skills, trainees will complete the 12 month project ready to enter the formal employment market or establish their own businesses. In addition, 32 existing artisan businesses are receiving tailored business support to increase their competitiveness and profitability.
A key component of the project is for trainees to undertake activities that give back to the community.
Equipped with technical skills, work experience, and visibility in the community, trainees will graduate ready to pursue formal employment or start their own enterprises. We can’t wait for our next visit to Uganda, when we will check in on our current trainees and find out how they are building working futures from their trades.
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December 2025
Edith is learning Tailoring
Trainees learning Auto-Mechanics
Hairdressing trainees in action
