Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation

CECI Uganda's New Office in Our Own Land — CECI Uganda's New Office
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CECI Uganda 2025–2029 Strategic Plan — Our 2025–2029 Strategic Plan
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CECI Uganda 2024 Annual Report — Call for Board Memebers 2026-2028
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Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation - CECI Uganda

Promoting peace, self-reliance and dignity in refugee communities in Northern Uganda since 2017

By Refugees For Refugees

Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation (CECI Uganda) is a refugee-led organization promoting peaceful coexistence and self-reliance in refugee and host communities in Northern Uganda. We empower women, youth, and children to prevent violent conflict, rebuild their livelihoods, access education, adopt clean energy, and enhance their resilience and participation in development. Our programs in peacebuilding, education, livelihoods, energy, and environment are driven by local needs and innovations. CECI was founded on May 23, 2017, by Patrick Chandiga Justine Abure, a refugee from Yei, South Sudan, whose family has experienced forced migration for three generations.

Local Solutions

We co-create sustainable solutions with local communities to address violent conflicts and poverty.

Using small, scalable projects, we promote positive interactions, peace, social cohesion, livelihood opportunities, and skills for development. We believe in co-creating innovative and creative local solutions that address the urgent needs of refugees and their host communities.

Our Work in Uganda

We work in three refugee-hosting districts to promote peace, self-reliance, and dignity among youth and women from refugee and host communities.

Peacebuilding

Strengthening the capacity and role of youth and women in preventing and resolving conflict to promote peaceful resolution of disputes, reconcile communities, foster peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.

Education

Improving access to formal and informal education for children, youth, women, and girls to promote positive development.

Livelihood

Building skills that support development and peace, build resilience, and increase employability among youth and women in both refugee and host communities.

Environment

Promoting the adoption of clean energy solutions and engaging youth and women in community-led environmental conservation and climate action in refugee and host communities.

189,466 people served, including 85,925 women and girls, 424 PWDs, and 82,175 refugees. 235 teenage mothers and out-of-school youth enrolled in school on full AEP scholarships. 1,825 parents, guardians, and caregivers mobilized to enroll girls in school through 20 campaigns. 173 women and youth trained in employable non-formal skills and trades. 6,921 people educated to lead GBV awareness, conflict prevention, shea trees conservation, and women participation. 5,000 shea tree seedlings raised, with 3000 planted, and 2000 more ready for planting.

Bicycles Deliver Hope

Bicycles Deliver Hope Amidst COVID-19 Crisis

Our transformative Blue Messenger Bicycle Initiative on COVID-19 in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement reached over 9,389 youth, children, women, men, PWDs and Elderly persons, improving homeschooling, COVID-19 prevention in vulnerable households, and increasing handwashing and mask-wearing. The Humanitarian Platform for Local and National Organizations in Uganda featured it in its newsletter, the Tales And Innovations Of Local Actors In Humanitarian Response.

Faiza

School Drop-Out Turned Entrepreneur

CECI’s Watson Basecamp helped Ropani Faiza, a school drop-out, develop an innovative business idea that led her to become an entrepreneur owning and operating a tailoring school and a mobile money business. Faiza’s businesses now earn her monthly profits exceeding UGX 200,000/- and allow her to care for her ill parents while using her tailoring school to enhance the livelihoods of vulnerable girls.

Salaam Radio

Discover the first and only radio station and tower in the world’s largest refugee settlement. Established in 2020 with funding from OXFAM, Salaam Radio strengthens communication with communities by disseminating vital information on health, food, employment, and online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. It integrates technology into peacebuilding and education, improving refugees’ access to knowledge and skills. Local communities recognize the Radio as an effective tool for healing, where diverse people feel safe coming together to play, speak, and interact.

Bridging Divides

We believe in the unique power of music to save lives, now and in the future. Through music, we create safe spaces where people from all backgrounds can come together, share their stories, and engage in dialogue. Our music advocates for peaceful conflict resolution, resource sharing, and dialogue among refugees and host communities. It reconciles and bridges communities divided by conflict and displacement. Join us in using music to build peace for all.

Sarah Ajoney

CECI Uganda February 11, 2026

CECI's Sawa Le Salaam Project has helped Sarah Ajonye transform her life by providing her with business skills, startup capital, and mentorship. Today, she runs a thriving business that enables her to provide for her family's basic needs and now dreams of growing her…

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Bicycles Deliver Hope Amidst COVID-19 Crisis

CECI Uganda February 11, 2026

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Partner With Us

Partnerships are critical to our success in helping refugee youth and women to recover better, build resilience and self-reliance.

We are always looking for new partnership opportunities. If your organization has an idea for a campaign or event, or is exploring ways you might support CECI’s work, we’d love to hear from you.