On 19 May 2026, the Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, H.E. SASAYAMA Takuya, joined UN Women Uganda Country Representative, Dr. Paulina Chiwangu, on a field mission to Nakivale Refugee Settlement to witness the impact of the MUSHO Project—a flagship initiative funded by the Government of Japan that promotes women’s economic empowerment, social cohesion, and peacebuilding among refugees and host communities.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Ambassador and the delegation to engage directly with project participants and observe how the initiative is transforming lives through skills development, community dialogue, and inclusive peace building.
During the mission, the delegation met women and young people undergoing vocational and livelihood training supported by the project. The trainees shared how they are acquiring practical skills that are improving their economic resilience, creating income-generating opportunities, and strengthening their ability to support their families.
The delegation also interacted with Women Peace Mediators, who play a critical role in preventing and resolving conflicts within the settlement and neighboring host communities. Through dialogue, mediation, and community engagement, these women are helping to foster peaceful coexistence among diverse populations living in Nakivale.
In addition, the visitors met members of the Male Action Groups, who are championing positive masculinity and promoting gender equality within their communities. By encouraging men’s active participation in preventing gender-based violence and supporting women’s leadership, the groups are contributing to more inclusive and harmonious communities.
The field mission highlighted the importance of integrated approaches that combine livelihoods, gender equality, and peacebuilding to strengthen resilience among refugees and host communities. It also underscored the value of partnerships in delivering sustainable development outcomes.
The MUSHO Project, funded by the Government of Japan, supports refugees and host communities through initiatives that enhance economic opportunities, promote social cohesion, strengthen women’s leadership, and prevent conflict. By empowering women and engaging men and community leaders as partners for change, the project contributes to building more peaceful, resilient, and inclusive communities.
UN Women Uganda expressed its appreciation to the Government of Japan for its continued partnership and to Ambassador SASAYAMA Takuya for taking the time to engage with project participants firsthand. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of Japan and UN Women to advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and durable solutions for refugees and host communities in Uganda.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.
