Documentary about Nakujali Foundation work in the Nakivale Refugee settlement

Our Work in Nakivale Refugee Settlement

Nakivale Refugee Settlement, located in southwestern Uganda, is the oldest and largest refugee settlement in Africa. It hosts over 100,000 refugees from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, and South Sudan people who have fled conflict, persecution, and hardship in pursuit of safety and stability.

Whereas Nakivale ensures protection, life within the settlement is desparately challenging. For most of its residents, there is struggle with trauma of displacement, limited access to mental health care, education, and basic goods and services. Despite all this, Nakivale is also a place of resilience, diversity, and incredible human resilience.

Nakujali Foundation is privileged to play a role in this community—of sharing hope, healing, and empowerment through trauma-informed yoga, art therapy, storytelling, and education. Our programs create safe, inclusive environments where refugees especially women, children, and orphans—are able to begin processing their experiences, regain confidence, and rebuild a sense of dignity.

We also work in schools across Nakivale, introducing yoga and mindfulness to assist children who have been traumatized in accessing peace, focus, and emotional resilience. Not only do the lessons benefit mental health, but also learning and restore the social fabric.

Healing, we know, is everyone's right—and that even where things are at their toughest, change can come.

With your support alongside us, we can reach farther empowering refugee communities to heal, thrive, and lead with resilience and purpose.