In January 2025, seventy-one ambitious entrepreneurs embarked on an exciting journey with the SAYE Project. Inducted into CURAD’s incubation program, these individuals saw their business ideas refined, developed, and transformed into high-quality, branded, and market-ready products. Having successfully completed the idea refinement bootcamps, they proceeded to the next phase—incubation and product development.
Under the guidance of expert CURAD-SAYE staff, participants fully immersed themselves in hands-on product development sessions at various incubation centers. With a strong focus on meeting market demands, they dedicated their time and effort to crafting high-quality, innovative products. As a result, they successfully developed:
✅ Yoghurt – 11 participants
✅ Daddies – 28 participants
✅ Cake & Bread – 23 participants
✅ Porridge/Flour – 6 participants
✅ Roasted Groundnuts – 3 participants
Each participant walked away with a fully developed product, ready for market entry. Among them is Kaguma Kasifa, a 34-year-old and Person Living with a Disability (PWD) from Bugiri District. Her journey with the SAYE Project has been truly transformational.
Kasifa’s entrepreneurial path began in Nankonkole Village, where she first learned about the SAYE Project through her LC1 chairman. Motivated by passion and a strong desire to bring her business idea to life, she eagerly joined the program, determined to turn her vision into reality.
“I have had an opportunity to learn a lot from CURAD-SAYE. Right from the Idea Refinement Bootcamp, my idea of making delicious, crunchy and soft daddies has now come to life,” Kasifa shared.
Another remarkable participant is Kasira Denis, a 34-year-old from Iganga District. He first learned about the SAYE Project through his parish councillor and immediately took interest in joining. Before attending the product development at CURAD-Kapeeka, Denis had no prior knowledge of yoghurt production. However, through hands-on experience, he gained the skills and confidence needed to produce high-quality yoghurt
“Before coming to CURAD-Kapeeka, I knew nothing about yoghurt production. But after three days of hands-on product development, I gained extensive skills and confidence. Now, I proudly own CH Yoghurt,” he said.
Similarly, Viola Babyonera, a 22-year-old from Jinja District and the owner of Keke Treats Cakes and Bread, expressed deep gratitude to the SAYE Project for refining her business idea and enhancing her baking skills. “Before joining the SAYE Project, I had very little knowledge about baking but through the hands-on product development we have had, I have learned the art of making high-quality cakes and bread that meet market standards. Now, I am confident in my craft and ready to grow my business” Viola shared.
With a vision to own the biggest bakery in Jinja District, Viola is determined to expand her business and create employment opportunities for fellow youth.
Recognizing that a great product alone is not enough for business success, CURAD, in partnership with FSDU Uganda, launched a targeted financial literacy training session in January 2025. This initiative aimed to bridge a critical gap by equipping 50 incubatees from Iganga and Jinja districts with essential financial skills.
Through interactive case studies, role-playing exercises and hands-on financial tools, participants gained the confidence to navigate the complexities of business management. They learned key aspects like financial planning, budgeting, savings and investing, and recordkeeping, empowering them to make informed decisions for sustainable growth
One participant, Nambedha Patricia who does Tricia’s Crisps who had struggled with pricing and profitability, shared how the training transformed her approach to financial decision-making. “I have learned how to structure the pricing of my product to cover costs and generate a sustainable profit, ensuring business will scale successfully” She said.
Kabiri Peter also A SAYE project participant maker of SABA G.nuts previously was uncertain about financial record-keeping, found the budgeting techniques invaluable in maintaining business transparency.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback underscored the training’s practical relevance, with incubatees expressing renewed confidence in handling their finances. By integrating financial literacy into its incubation framework, CURAD is ensuring that young entrepreneurs not only create innovative products but also build financially sustainable businesses that contribute to economic growth
