Katengeke Olivia, a determined 30-year-old mother of three from Bugiri District, embarked on a journey to turn her passion for creating nutritious food into a thriving business. Living in Busowa Town Council, Olivia always had a dream of making composite and instant porridge flour that would nourish children, pregnant women, and families in her community.
Her dream became a reality when she joined the SAYE project under the CURAD Incubation Centre in November 2024. Olivia, driven by a passion for health and nutrition, initially launched her product under the brand name “Olivia Nutrients,” but as her business grew, it transformed into a group effort known as “Bugiri Nutritious Flour.” Each member of the group now produces their own product, with a focus on composite flour made from oats, rice, milk, millet, and soya—an energy-boosting, balanced diet for babies and pregnant women.
Before joining the SAYE project, Olivia was unemployed and had little hope for the future. As she puts it, “I was unemployed and had no hope of starting anything. I didn’t know where to begin or how to make my dream a reality. My circumstances were discouraging.” She dreamed of starting a business, but the challenges seemed insurmountable. She had no access to the right machinery, packaging, or transportation. “Marketing my idea to village customers was impossible. I didn’t have the resources to reach them,” she adds. Olivia also faced a major struggle with packaging: “I didn’t know how to package my products, let alone create something environmentally friendly or attractive. I had no idea about branding or labelling.”
The turning point for Olivia came when she heard about the SAYE project on NBS Radio. “I heard about it on the radio, and soon after, the CURAD team came to our village. They registered me, and that was the start of everything,” Olivia recalls. Through the CURAD Incubation program, Olivia received crucial support that helped her develop her product from scratch. “The training I received in product development was invaluable. I now understand how to make my product better and how to run my business effectively.” With the help of the SAYE project, she was equipped with a startup kit, which gave her the resources she needed to launch her business.
Beyond product development, Olivia has also created employment opportunities, hiring a boda boda rider for transportation and one other person to handle sales. “I never imagined I would be able to create jobs, but today I’m providing work for others, and it feels amazing,” she says.
Before joining the SAYE project, Olivia had high hopes of learning more about composite flour production, starting her business, and creating jobs for others. “I wanted to learn more and grow my business. I also dreamed of creating jobs and making a difference,” she shares. Today, she has exceeded those expectations, successfully running her business and creating opportunities for others in her community.
Olivia’s story is one of hard work, determination, and the power of incubation. Thanks to the support of the CURAD Incubation Center and the SAYE project, she has taken her product from concept to reality, with plans to expand and create more jobs.
“I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received. It has transformed my life, and I know it can transform others’ too. This is just the beginning.” She shares
Olivia continues to inspire others, proving that with the right support, dreams can turn into thriving businesses.
Olivia (left) with her colleagues and fellow incubatees
