Nguvu Dairy Limited, Northern Uganda

A Business Creating Jobs, Healing and Transformation

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Nguvu Dairy's Mission

Supportive Community

Sustainable Work

Trauma Healing

Why Nguvu

“Nguvu” means “strength” in Swahili — and that’s exactly what this venture offered: strength to communities, strength to youth, and strength to the emerging model of healing-centered employment.

The vision articulated by its founders and investors was clear: “to see men and women find hope and flourish through dignity- affirming work in community- transforming, profitable businesses.”

Years active: 2016–2024
Employees: 770+ (average age 22), most serving in their first formal job, as many as 200 working at one time
Skills Developed: food production hygiene and packaging, sales, customer relations, milk testing and collection, time management, team leadership, bookkeeping, supportive teambuilding, supply chain management, budget management
Locations over the years: 14 towns across northern Uganda (Adjumani, Anaka, Bweyale, Cwero, Gulu, Kamdini, Kitgum, Lira, Masindi, Opit, Pabbo, Pader, Pakele and Pakwach).
Supply Chain: Milk purchased from as many as 30 farmers each week. All ingredients and packaging sourced from Uganda.
Ripple Effect: An average of 5 family members supported by each worker (32% were sole earners in the family, 44% were the primary earners); education fees paid; nutrition of workers and their families improved. Many applied skills learned to start their own business or move to positions with greater responsibility.

Employees

Locations

Milk purchased from as manay as 30 farmers

“Nguvu Dairy is not like a regular business. They really care for northern Uganda’s most vulnerable and help them learn to work.”

– School leader, Opit

Nguvu’s model was centered on healing. Sixty-two percent (62%) reported high exposure to traumatic events in their lives. Employees didn’t just earn — they healed, grew and reconnected with their families and communities. Trauma healing programs were embedded into operations, helping employees develop resilience, build healthy relationships and reimagine their futures.

625+ employees participated in trauma healing groups
Holistic care and support offered weekly

Managers trained in trauma-informed supervision
Relational healing extended into employees’ homes and communities

The business also boosts the income of local farmers who sell milk to the dairy.