Riziki Kajabika at her sewing desk in Kampala. She received a business grant as part of the IRC’s Re:BUiLD Program Wave 1 RCTs grant, bought a sewing machine, fabric and paid rent for her shop.

Opportunity: Register for the IRC's Re:BUiLD Business Grant and Join Refugee-Host Networks in Kampala

Are you a registered urban refugee living in Kampala? Do you have a desire to start or grow a business? The Re:BUiLD program has an opportunity for you. ONLY eligible urban refugees and Ugandans will be considered for the RCT Wave 2 business grants and a chance to join refugee and host networks in Kampala! 
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Microenterprise support opportunity for refugees and Ugandans in Kampala

The International Rescue Committee (IRC’s) Re:BUiLD Program is looking to identify eligible people interested in starting micro businesses or growing their existing micro businesses in Nairobi and Kampala. The Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for livelihoods Development (Re:BUiLD) is a program being implemented under the IKEA Foundation partnership with the IRC to enable urban refugees and local residents alike to earn a decent income so they can support their families and afford a better life.

Riziki Kajabika at her sewing desk in Kampala. She received a business grant as part of the IRC’s Re:BUiLD Program Wave 1 RCTs grant, bought a sewing machine, fabric and paid rent for her shop.

Riziki Kajabika at her sewing desk in Kampala. She received a business grant as part of the IRC’s Re:BUiLD Program Wave 1 RCTs grant, bought a sewing machine, fabric and paid rent for her shop. Photo: J. Sosi/IRC.

How will the IRC’s Re:BUiLD program support clients to start or grow their businesses?

Re:BUiLD is rolling out the second phase of its Randomized Control Trial (RCT) for micro enterprise development. The support shall be delivered through a study targeting 8,000 direct participants, with 4,000 clients in Nairobi and 4,000 clients in Kampala. Participants shall be offered an opportunity to network and receive individual business grants from Re:BUiLD. It is anticipated that there will be an equitable distribution of refugees and hosts, as well as a balanced representation of women and men in the RCTs. Only those who will have met all the requirements for participation shall be selected to participate in the study.

What are the eligibility criteria for the Re:BUiLD program’s support?

To be considered eligible and register for business support under the Re:BUiLD program’s RCTs, interested refugees and Ugandans must meet the following requirements;

  1. Have valid Identification Documents (IDs)

    Ugandan citizens must have valid National IDs. The National ID Numbers will be used to record details of the registering citizens. Refugees should have Refugee identification documents, verified by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Uganda and recognized by the UN Refugee agency (UNHCR).

    • Refugee ID or;

    • Attestation letter

  2. Age: Must be between the ages of 18 - 45 years.

  3. Location: Applications will only be accepted from refugees and Ugandans residing within the Kampala divisions. This includes areas but is not limited to:

    • Makindye, Rubaga, Central Kampala, Kawempe, Nakawa

  4. Language: Interested refugees and Ugandans should demonstrate ability to speak Luganda, English or Swahili at conversational level. 

  5. Business experience: Interested people should demonstrate having an interest in starting a business OR confirm to have some previous business/entrepreneurship experience. 

  6. Availability: All successful applicants MUST be committed to attend at least 2 hours of weekly meetings for 3 months from the start of the first session.

  7. Persons who have previously received any livelihood services from the IRC will NOT be considered. 

A group of IRC clients comprising of Kenyans and refugees during and Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E) training held in October 2023 in Rongai, Nairobi, Kenya

Alain Masikini Nzembo, a 38–year-old poultry farmer, originally from DRC, set up a poultry business in Masajja B, Kyadondo with the support from the IRC’s Re:BUiLD Program Wave 1 RCTs grant. Photo:J. Sosi/IRC  

How to apply be part of the IRC’s Re:BUiLD program Wave 2 RCTs for 2024

The registration process will start in January 2024. Interested individuals can visit the IRC at the Re:BUiLD program Livelihoods Resource Center (LRC) for eligibility screening and registration. IRC staff will also conduct registration outreaches in the areas around the targeted location. You should carry your identification documents when coming to register during the community outreaches and at the LRC. 

Registration will be conducted on weekdays (Monday – Friday) between 9am and 5pm. In Kampala, visit the Re:BUiLD program LRC which is located at:

Additional Information for interested persons.

  • Please note that ALL IRC services are FREE. There is no charge for application or enrollment into the program.

  • Applicants will be asked to submit copies of identification or registration documents to the IRC.

  • IRC will contact selected applicants based on availability of opportunities and applicant’s fit for service.

Have questions, concerns or need additional information?

Call our field offices from Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Normal call rates will apply.

Information on how to register, receive IRC’s Re:BUiLD program business grant and join refugee and host networks in Nairobi can be found here.