IKEA Foundation CEO, Per Heggenes visits Re:Build Program in Kampala, Uganda

The IKEA Foundation CEO, Per Heggens (centre) listens to Belinda Muya the Re;Build Deputy Program Director during his visit to Raising Gabdho Foundation (RGF) in Kampala, Uganda. Photo: Nathan Ijjo Tibaku/TheIRC 

Kampala, Uganda: The IKEA Foundation, CEO Per Heggenes, on Wednesday May 10, 2023 paid a visit to refugees and hosts that are being supported by the Re:Build program at the Livelihoods Resource Center (LRC) run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kampala.

Mr. Heggenes, in a 2-hour interaction with clients of the Program’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) intervention also engaged with members of the Nyaret Namata, one of the urban savings and loans groups in the city. There are 29 such groups receiving Re:Build services in Kampala and Nairobi.

Mr Heggenes visited activities being implemented by one of Re:Build’s partners - Raising Gabdho Foundation (RGF). The RGF is a women-led community-based organization, implementing partner under Re:Build. The RGF livelihood activities earned the Re:Build affirmation for the program’s partnership with local organization.

RGF works with women and through trainings, are able to earn a living from urban farming techniques. The group members build infrastructure for irrigation, prepare compost manure and have learned best practices for farm produce storage and value addition.

"It is very refreshing to see a program doing one thing for the people and another thing for the environment," stated Mr. Heggenes, commending the Re:Build program for its holistic approach positively impacting on humanity and climate change.

Also present during the visit were officials from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The city officials held a sensitization session with urban refugees on services offered by KCCA. Re:Build is working in collaboration with the Ugandan capital authorities to respond to refugee needs and advancing equitable access to services such as registration of self-help groups and businesses.

Re:Build is a 5-year program implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) with funding from the IKEA Foundation. In one of the largest single investments in the urban refugee livelihoods sector, the 30 million Euro program seeks to support 20,000 urban refugees and vulnerable hosts to improve their livelihoods and achieve self-reliance. 

Joan Nakiyini, RGF Operations Lead (in black), converses with Mr. Heggenes during his tour of the RGF facility in Kampala, Uganda. Re:Build and RGF partnered to enhance livelihoods of urban refugees and vulnerable hosts. Photo: Nathan Ijjo Tibaku/TheIRC 

Re:Build’s business start-up kit intervention coupled with skilling have proven effective in building self-reliance among vulnerable communities. In his visit, Mr. Heggenes acknowledged there were barriers that urban refugees face and affirmed that the IKEA Foundation is committed to address them.