Our Team

HANDS is a collaborative program with team members in both Uganda and the U.S., made up of agricultural, horticultural, and science experts. Together, we work to strengthen food systems and promote sustainable farming practices in the rural region of Muko, Uganda to improve nutrition and food security.

Uganda-Based Team

Arinda Onesmas – HANDS Team Leader, Uganda
A native of Muko and a 2019 graduate of Busitema University with a diploma in Agricultural Engineering, Arinda leads ACT’s agricultural programs in the region. In 2021, he was one of five local volunteers trained by the Peace Corps to deliver community-based nutrition and agronomy training. He received additional training in permagardening in August 2021 and has since led workshops for over 700 households in Muko Sub-County.

Pamella Musiimenta – Field Extension Officer
A graduate of Muko High School, Pamella began her agricultural career with the Mushroom Training and Resource Centre in Kabale (2015–2017). She joined ACT as a volunteer Community-Based Facilitator in early 2021 after Peace Corps training and was hired as a full-time Field Extension Officer in September 2021. Pamella now oversees the HANDS Mushroom Program, providing hands-on support and guidance to local farmers.

U.S.-Based Team

David Molzahn – HANDS Team Leader, U.S.
David holds a B.S. in Chemistry from UC Davis and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He retired from a 33-year career in Research & Development at Dow Chemical and now serves on ACT’s Board of Directors as Treasurer. He brings technical expertise and strategic oversight to the HANDS program.

Roger Moll – Agricultural & Horticultural Advisor
Raised on a farm in Ohio, Roger holds a B.S. in Agriculture and an M.S. in Education from the University of Kentucky. His career spans decades as a Horticulture Educator for the Cooperative Extension systems in Kentucky and Indiana. In retirement, Roger has continued to serve through the Peace Corps and in multiple community and leadership roles.

Gordon Wenk – Agricultural Policy & Resource Advisor
With a background in agriculture and natural resource education from Michigan State University, Gordon brings over 40 years of experience in agricultural conservation. He served as Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and held leadership roles in several national agriculture organizations. Gordon currently sits on the Michigan State University Extension and AgBioResearch Advisory Board.

The Challenge

In Muko Sub-County, most families rely on subsistence farming—growing just enough to feed themselves. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, about 50% of the population lives in poverty, with roughly 10% experiencing severe food insecurity.

Farmers face a range of obstacles:

• Soil erosion and nutrient depletion

• Small, fragmented plots of land

• Limited access to tools, knowledge, and markets

• Heavy reliance on women for agricultural labor

• Lack of disease control and sustainable practices

• Exploitation by middlemen and a weak value chain

With few other job opportunities, it's critical that farming not only feeds families but also provides a source of income.

Our Goals

1. Develop and improve the capabilities of community farmers by the use of demonstration gardens, educational seminars, and hands-on assistance with their own gardens.

2. Improve individual health by providing a variety of nutritional food crops produced in sustainable family gardens.

3. Build long-term food security for individuals and the wider Muko community.

What We’re Doing

HANDS Program Initiatives

ACT Uganda’s HANDS (Helping Agricultural New Development and Sustainability) program addresses critical food security and nutrition needs in Muko Sub-County by promoting sustainable agriculture, nutritional education, and community empowerment. Here’s a look at our current and ongoing efforts:

🍄 Mushroom Cultivation Program

Mushrooms offer a valuable source of protein and nutrition in the local diet.

• A new mushroom cultivation facility was completed in 2025.

• The team is currently optimizing growing conditions and refining the cultivation process.

• First harvests have already been sold in the local market.

• Training for local mushroom growers is planned to expand sustainable production and income-generating opportunities.

Iron-Rich Bean Project – Combating Iron Deficiency

• Launched in partnership with the Peace Corps in 2021.

• Provided iron-rich bean seeds and training to local farmers.

• Maintained a community seed bank (2021–2023), with plans to restart in 2025 to improve dietary iron intake and reduce anemia.

Hemoglobin Screening (2024–Present)

• Launched in 2024 to assess the prevalence of anemia in Muko Sub-County, Uganda.

• Initial data collection is complete, and results are currently being analyzed to guide future health and nutrition programming.

🌿 Permagarden & Nutrition Training (2021–Present)

This initiative promotes sustainable, low-cost gardening and crop diversification to improve household nutrition and resilience.

• Over 700 local farmers trained between 2021–2024.

• Hands-on support ensures knowledge retention and long-term success.

• Training will continue through 2025, with an emphasis on empowering farmers to become trainers themselves.

🌱 Agricultural Inputs Program (Starting 2025)

ACT Uganda will begin sourcing and supplying high-quality agricultural inputs to improve yields and farming sustainability.

• Certified seed potatoes

• Vegetable seeds

• Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to support disease and pest management

🥔 Improved Potato Marketing (2025)

To support local farmers and reduce post-harvest losses:

• ACT is developing a plan for a centralized potato storage facility.

• The facility will help consolidate supply, extend shelf life, and improve access to broader markets.

Through this work, the HANDS team is cultivating more than crops—we’re cultivating resilience, knowledge, and hope for the future of Muko.