About us

Welcome to YESRUD Uganda, where the seeds of change are sown and nurtured by the hands of young people who are driven by passion, fostering an economically empowered society free from gender-based violence. YESRUD stands for Youth Efforts for Sustainable Rural Development.

YESRUD Uganda is a registered youth-led Non-profit organization, first established in 2017 as a CBO to achieve an economically empowered society free from gender-based violence.
This was triggered by a reported increase in school dropouts, gender-based violence, and early child marriages at the household level, low productivity of agriculture enterprises, the collapse of farmer cooperatives, an increase in HIV transmission as a result of transgenerational sex, famine outbreaks, and high poverty levels at the household level.

Having been raised by a farming household and as a professional in the agriculture sector, Ignatius Okore envisioned the economic transformation of smallholder farmer households through farming as a business using proven, environmentally friendly, impactful, scalable, and sustainable approaches.

This is because Uganda has the highest young population in the world yet they can’t easily access jobs and over 70% of Uganda’s population relies on agriculture for a living.
Our joint practical and on-ground experience of over 30 years as a YESRUD Team working with smallholder farmer communities, especially women and youth has enabled us to work closely with different stakeholders in the agriculture, environment, education, and renewable energy sectors.

our Vision

An economically empowered society free from gender-based violence.

our mission

To empower rural communities in Uganda by fostering economic empowerment and gender equality through sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, livelihood enhancement, institutional support, and education.

our Objectives

1. To promote Sustainable Agriculture by enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in rural communities through training, provision of resources, and innovative practices.

2. To foster Environmental Stewardship by encouraging environmental conservation and resilience by implementing eco-friendly practices and raising awareness about climate change.

3. To improve the economic well-being of rural communities by providing vocational training, access to markets, and financial literacy programs.

4. To build the capacity of local institutions, including farmer groups and cooperatives to effectively support community development, promote gender equality, and combat gender-based violence.

5. To promote an inclusive/safe learning environment for all learners with a focus on girls and marginalized groups, to empower future generations, and break period poverty.

6. To strengthen the resilience of rural communities to social and economic challenges through comprehensive support and community-driven initiatives.

What Sets Us Apart

YESRUD stands at the intersection of agricultural innovation and social impact. We believe farming isn’t just a way of life; it’s a business. By harnessing the potential of agriculture, we empower women and youth to break the barriers that limit their economic freedom.

Our Core Values

• Professionalism
• Ethics and integrity
• Sustainability
• Transparency and accountability
• Social responsibility

Our Thematic Areas

1. Agriculture.
2. Environment
3. Education and health
4. Livelihoods and institutional support