P.0 Box 980170

YAREN team members and programme participants

Community-led. Refugee-founded.

YAREN is a youth-led Ugandan organisation helping refugees and vulnerable communities turn skills, ideas and opportunity into self-reliant futures.

Our story

Built from lived experience.

YAREN grew from founder Muganuzi Mushongole Adonis's work supporting peaceful coexistence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. After displacement brought him to Uganda in 2015, he continued working alongside refugee youth and women.

That experience led to YAREN's establishment in 2017, formerly the Young African Refugees Entrepreneurs Network. Its work connects socioeconomic empowerment with innovation, entrepreneurship, education and mental health.

Today, the organisation operates from Ziranumbu, Makindye Ssabagabo in Kampala and works with refugees and host communities through practical, community-owned programmes.

2017

YAREN established

13,000+

People reached

11+

Active initiatives

Our vision

A better society where refugees and vulnerable populations have the resilience to shape their own futures.

Our mission

To train and empower refugees and vulnerable populations with the skills they need to become self-reliant.

How we work

Three connected pillars.

Each programme is designed around income, capability and stability—the foundations communities need for durable change.

Income generation

Practical training in tailoring, crafts, agriculture, entrepreneurship and digital skills, linked to work and enterprise.

Capacity building

Business literacy, financial management, leadership and mentorship that help people build lasting futures.

Community stability

Clean water, psychosocial support, health outreach and safe spaces that protect dignity while communities grow.

Muganuzi Adonis, YAREN Executive Director

The founder

Muganuzi Mushongole Adonis

Founder & Executive Director

His journey from community peacebuilding in South Kivu to rebuilding life as a refugee in Uganda shaped a model grounded in dignity, practical opportunity and local leadership.

Follow YAREN's journey

Our people