The Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda stands at a critical crossroads. Once buoyed by global humanitarian aid, its resident refugees from over five neighbouring nations are now caught in a deepening food crisis following the withdrawal of major food aid support. In this article, I explore a promising, scalable solution: regenerative agriculture rooted in community-based soil knowledge, sustainable agroforestry and permaculture practices, and self-reliant farming. With over 75% of Nakivale’s refugee population relying on agriculture as their primary economic activity, the soil represents more than land. It means our survival. By transforming Nakivale’s struggling smallholders into empowered stewards of their land, we can unlock food security, resilience, and dignity for over 171,000 displaced individuals.

Recently, Nakivale has experienced a significant increase in refugee arrivals driven by various push and pull factors. Addressing these dynamics requires coordinated regional peacebuilding, sustainable development initiatives, and enhanced support for both refugees and host communities.

The community-based organisation AFRICAN YOUTH INTEGRATED FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (AYISD) has been actively supporting the residents of Nakivale with capacity building and agricultural programming for the past four years. Now, organisers are concerned with how to sustainably accommodate the new influx of refugees to the settlement.

This article explores the context and need for support to the community of Nakivale, and outlines entry points for activists and stakeholders who want to get involved!