Projects
Catalyzing REAL fathers Across Uganda for Early Learning and Play 2023-2027
The Responsible, Engaged, and Loving Fathers (REAL Fathers) is an evidence-based, community-led mentoring intervention approach designed to build positive partnership and parenting practices among young fathers (16-25 years) to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) and violence against children. The project as funded by LEGO foundation integrates early childhood development and learning through play in the REAL father’s approach. Through mentorship, REAL Fathers promotes harmonious families. Implemented in a consortium with other partners, Somero covers districts including Kayunga Luwero, Buikwe, Nakasongola in the Buganda region and Iganga, Mayuge, Bugiri and Kamuli in the Busoga Region.

Dreams (Determind resilient empowered Aids free mentored and safe).
Through a Vocational consultancy with Infectious disease institute we have empowered adolescent’s girls and young women with both the short term and long-term courses of Liquid soap, hairdressing, secretarial and bakery to remain competitive. Relevant in the urban environment.

The project has strengthened local and national child protection systems while working with families, communities and institutions to raise awareness and improve capacity to protect children.

Kampala Girls Cluster: Girls As Frontiliners project
(2023-sept 2024 ).

The Kampala Girls Cluster comprising Somero Uganda, Agaliawamu, and Forever Redeemer Foundation through funding from the Child Rights Prevention Fund (CRVP), is implementing the Girls as Frontliners project. This initiative empowers adolescent girls in Kinawataka, Mutungo, and Banda parishes, Nakawa Division, Kampala, to make informed choices regarding their social, economic, and health lives. By addressing the challenges of limited decision-making power, the project aims to foster resilience and agency among young girls to shape their futures positively.

Target group: Adolescent girls 10-20 years

Kampala HIV Project
This project, funded by the Infectious Diseases Institute, aims to accelerate the identification, linkage, and retention of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in care by providing comprehensive, community-based support services. The initiative focuses on enhancing adherence to HIV treatment and clinic schedules, particularly among vulnerable groups such as adolescents. Through targeted community follow-ups and personalized interventions, the project strengthens retention in care, ensuring sustained access to life-saving treatment and improved health outcomes for PLHIV.

Nyumba Kumi Project 2021-2023

Since 2021, with funding from Schock Familien Stiftung and Somero e.V., Somero Uganda has implemented the Nyumba Kumi Educational Groups project in Busia District to promote the continuity of education for primary school children during and after school closures caused by COVID-19.
Drawing on a renowned Nyumba Kumi model a community-based approach that mobilizes neighborhoods of 10 households to address shared challenges the project engaged parents, case workers, and local government officials to strengthen child protection systems and reduce abuse, exploitation, and neglect security .  By organizing children into neighborhood education groups, the project reached 400 children, keeping them engaged in learning during the pandemic and supporting over 300 children to resume formal schooling post-closure. Additionally, 300 parents were trained in practical skills such as hairdressing, liquid soap making, piggery, and bakery to enhance household incomes and sustain educational efforts.
Building on this success, Somero Uganda extended the Nyumba Kumi approach to create community libraries that bring learning resources closer to underprivileged learners and those from academically challenged households. These libraries serve as hubs for continued home-based learning, promoting child protection and the safeguarding of child rights while addressing socio-economic and educational barriers. By improving access to educational materials and creating safe learning spaces, the initiative enhances academic performance, increases school enrollment, and boosts transition rates to higher education levels within the community.

The Approach

The project was implemented in Busia District in two sub counties that is Sikuda and Buteba Sub County in villages of Okama amagoro, Kayoro, Akipeneti, Siwulihili .
Project goal: To promote continuity of education of primary school going children, during Covid 19 school lockdown and beyond
Partnership for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) project

The project is funded USAID and implemented by Resilient Africa Network (RAN), SafeBangles Technologies and Somero Uganda in collaboration with Resilient Africa Network and SafeBangles Technologies, piloted the innovative use of SafeBangle bracelets to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in informal settlements within Kawempe and Nakawa divisions. A total of 72 bracelets were distributed 40 in Nakawa and 32 in Kawempeenabling Adolescent Girls and Women (AGWs) to report GBV incidents in real-time.
Of the recipients, 22 activated the alert system, leading to 19 receiving timely and appropriate support based on the type of violence experienced. Interventions included counseling, police assistance via probation offices, health referrals (e.g., for post-exposure prophylaxis and emergency care for severe cases), and tailored follow-ups through phone calls by Somero Uganda. This pilot demonstrated the potential of technology-driven solutions in enhancing GBV response and supporting survivors.

Getting mothers out of poverty (Latek stay Alliance) 2022
In 2022, Latek Stay Alliance piloted the Getting Mothers Out of Poverty program in Bwaise, focusing on empowering 24 young mothers with hands-on skills in bookmaking and bakery. The initiative incorporated a Payback Model, where participants received startup capital to launch their ventures, repayable after an agreed period to ensure sustainability and extend support to others. To further enhance their capacity, the project constructed a community oven in Bwaise, fostering a shared resource for income generation and skill development. This program not only equipped young mothers with practical skills but also laid the foundation for long-term economic empowerment and community resilience.

In Their Hands
In Their Hands (2021–2022), a partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation, empowered adolescents and parents in Kawempe, Nakawa, and Central divisions of Kampala with the knowledge and tools to advocate for their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). The program engaged 15 groups of out-of-school adolescents aged 15–19, alongside parent groups of fathers and mothers, equipping them with leadership skills and creating safe spaces for dialogue on health and rights. By leveraging the TIKO platform, the initiative connected over 300 girls to essential health services, fostering healthier communities and enabling young people to take charge of their futures.

Joining Forces for Africa (JOFA)– Protecting Children from Violence during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond’ has the objective that children and adolescents experience reduced levels of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.

The three-year project (2021-2023) is implemented with the financial support of the European Union through consortium of Joining Forces member agencies Terre Des Homes being one and Somero is implementing the project on behalf of Terre Des Hommes in Busia and Bugiri. The project uses different approaches including Child friend accountability, Child participation being core to the project, promoting child-led initiatives and campaigns. Team Up and Parenting without violence.