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The initiative was designed to help young people start income-generating activities from their homes by providing them with essential tools and training
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By Tugume Muzafaru
More than 4,000 youth across Rubirizi District have benefited from the Ripple Effect Support Project, a community empowerment initiative aimed at fighting poverty and promoting household-based income generation among vulnerable families.
The handover ceremony was held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Rutoto Sub-county Headquarters, where hundreds of youth, parents, stakeholders, and local leaders gathered to witness the official distribution of startup items designed to help beneficiaries begin small businesses and reduce unemployment.
Ripple Effect Empowers Youth to Overcome Poverty
Speaking during the event, Mr. Tamuzade Robert, the Rubirizi District Project Coordinator for Ripple Effect, said the initiative was designed to help young people start income-generating activities from their homes by providing them with essential tools and training.
“Many of our young people have ideas and energy but lack the tools and capital to start. Ripple Effect is here to bridge that gap,” said Mr. Tamuzade.
He emphasized that unemployment and hopelessness among youth are major causes of crime, domestic violence, and idleness, adding that Ripple Effect seeks to create a generation of productive young people capable of transforming their families and communities.
Items Distributed to Beneficiaries
The startup items distributed included bicycles, deep freezers, chaff cutters, ice cream machines, ice boxes, cooking oil, spiral mixers, sewing machines, stainless steel buckets, dough mixers, and water pumping machines, among others.
Mr. Turyatemba Milton, the LC3 Chairperson of Rutoto Sub-county, commended Ripple Effect for supporting the youth, saying the equipment would help beneficiaries start small enterprises such as tailoring, retail trading, ice cream and juice vending, agricultural processing, and animal feed production.
“This project is not just about giving material support; it’s about promoting self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and long-term development at the family level,”
Mr. Turyatemba noted.
RDC Warns Against Misuse of Donated Items
The Rubirizi Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Kinene Ahamedi, praised Ripple Effect for complementing government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP). However, he warned the beneficiaries against selling or misusing the donated equipment.
“These items are not for sale. They are meant to transform your lives. If anyone is found selling or misusing them, we shall arrest and charge that person according to the law,”
warned Mr. Ahamedi.
He further commended Ripple Effect for helping reduce youth unemployment, domestic violence, and crime, stressing that the government’s goal is to see peaceful, hardworking, and developed families.
“We want to reduce hunger, corruption, and suicide cases among the youth. This can only be achieved when young people embrace work and discipline,”
he added.
Voices from Beneficiaries and Leaders
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ashaba Devis from Rwemitagu Village, expressed gratitude for the support, describing it as a life-changing opportunity.
“This support has given us hope. Most of us were idle and frustrated, but now we have something to do. I will use my machine responsibly to benefit my family and community,”
he said.
The District Community Development Officer, Hon. Mbonye Mark Levis, encouraged the youth to take advantage of the opportunity, avoid idleness, and focus on productive work for a better future.
About Ripple Effect
Ripple Effect, formerly known as Send a Cow, is a development organization operating across East Africa to promote sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and family transformation.
In Rubirizi District, the organization works closely with local leaders, community groups, and families to empower youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) through practical training and business support. Over the years, Ripple Effect has helped thousands of households start small enterprises and achieve self-reliance.
Leaders Urge Continued Support and Monitoring
Mr. Musoke Paul, the Sub-county Chief of Rutoto, urged parents and local leaders to monitor and support the youth beneficiaries to ensure proper use and maintenance of the donated equipment.
Similarly, Mr. Nshekanabo Amidu Kaunya, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Rubirizi, appealed to local councils and community development officers to continue guiding the youth and help them form working groups that can access more opportunities in the future.
The event ended with renewed hope and unity among the youth, parents, and leaders—all pledging to use the Ripple Effect Project as a stepping stone toward a peaceful, productive, and prosperous Rubirizi District.
Torch Media Africa
