Social Businesses: Building Self-Sustainability in Muko

Since our founding in 2003—born from a simple letter exchanged between two families, one in Uganda and one in the U.S.—Agape Community Transformation (ACT) Uganda has served over 40,000 people in the Muko Subcounty of southwestern Uganda. Over the years, our work through six core programs has earned the trust of communities and institutions alike, leading to partnerships with the Peace Corps, Ugandan Ministry of Health, and the Anglican Diocese of Kigezi.

But we’ve never stopped asking ourselves one critical question:

How do we support long-term development rather than create dependency?

Our Answer: Social Business

Too often, international aid efforts—though well-intentioned—create reliance on Western funding. At ACT, we’ve worked hard to build models that prioritize self-sustainability and community empowerment.

One powerful path forward is through social businesses—locally rooted enterprises that generate income while solving real human problems.

The term "social business" was popularized by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, the founder of micro-finance.

A social business is a revenue-generating business that provides employment in Muko, provides products and/or services needed in the community and whose profit goes back into the programs of ACT.

ACT owns and operates these businesses, and profits are reinvested directly back into our programs and community—not distributed to shareholders.

Our Current Social Businesses

1. Uniquely Uganda Handcrafts

Our first social business, which we began in 2008, connects talented women artisans in Uganda to global markets. ACT purchases their handmade items at fair prices and sells them in the U.S., with all profits going back into ACT programs that support education, health, agriculture, and more.

2. ACT Hardware Store – Muko Marketplace

Opened in 2023, the ACT Hardware Store quickly became an essential resource for the community, offering access to affordable materials while also creating local employment. The store has been profitable every month since opening and is a model for sustainable impact.

What’s Next: A Permanent Home for Business Growth

To continue growing our social business ventures, we need permanent infrastructure—our own land and buildings—not space rented at the mercy of landlords. We now have an exciting opportunity to purchase a strategically located parcel of land near Muko Marketplace to build this future.

How You Can Be Part of It

Social businesses begin with you—people who believe in doing good while sustaining growth.

As Muhammad Yunus says:

“Unlike a charity dollar, a social business dollar that is reinvested never gets used up.”

Your donation helps launch a business, employ local people, serve community needs, and generate sustainable revenue for ACT’s programs for years to come.

Ready to Learn More or Invest?

📩 Contact us at info@actuganda.org

🌍 Or visit our Donate page to see how you can be part of lasting change.

ACT Hardware Store