Under the radiant sun of Hoima district, in the heart of Uganda’s resource-rich Albertine region, a remarkable transformation is unfolding. Meet Teddy Nyamaizi , a mother of four, a once-subsistence farmer, and now, a thriving entrepreneur whose dreams are fueled by more than just hard work.
They're powered by opportunity, vision, and a little something she calls "the sweet taste of oil money." 💰
Now that we’ve tasted it,” she says with a contagious laugh, “I can tell you — the oil money is sweet. Very sweet! I’m soon buying a car. 🚗
But Teddy’s story is more than just about income. It’s about empowerment, visibility, and hope a living example of what happens when grassroots women are equipped to access national opportunities once thought to be out of reach.
🌍 A Region of Riches, A Reality of Displacement
The Albertine Graben, nestled along the western arm of the East African Rift Valley, is not just a scenic marvel, it’s also home to an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil, with over 1.4 billion barrels recoverable. In 2021, the Government of Uganda unveiled a transformative plan: a $15 billion investment into this oil sector. 🛢️
But while the prospects were exciting, the infrastructure boom came with significant social and economic disruptions — including displacement of local communities. Many felt left out of the opportunities developing right before their eyes.
💪 From Margins to Mainstream: Empowering Women through MIRAC
Enter the USAID Civil Society Strengthening Activity (CSSA), funding partners like Mid-western Region Anti-Corruption Coalition (MIRAC) to level the playing field.
Through their ‘Extractives for Community Development’ project, communities are not only being informed of available opportunities — they’re being actively supported to access them.
Teddy recalls how, before this support, the oil sector felt like a man’s world:
We thought those oil things were for men,” she says. Women like me were only involved in home chores and small farming.
That changed when Teddy participated in business training sessions organized by MIRAC.
There, she met representatives from government agencies like the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), URA, and URSB, as well as players in the oil sector like TotalEnergies.
The sessions demystified processes, simplified legal requirements, and opened her eyes to how she could participate.
📚 That training was a turning point,” she reflects. “We were guided on how to register our businesses, meet standards, and apply for real contracts.
📈 From Dreaming to Doing: Business Registration as a Game Changer
With MIRAC’s support, Teddy formally registered her agro-input and fresh produce business. Soon after, she was listed on the Petroleum Authority National Suppliers Database, making her eligible to supply directly to oil companies.
I got a subcontract to supply vegetables and agro-inputs to TotalEnergies,” she beams. “Even schools now only give tenders to registered dealers. That one step opened many doors.
And the impact? In just one year, Teddy earned over UGX 26.8 million (~USD 8,000), and she’s already projecting UGX 100 million (~USD 27,000) in the next year.
🏠 Building a Future — One Step at a Time
Teddy is not just earning — she’s building. With her newfound income, she’s already bought a plot of land. Her plans? Nothing short of visionary:
🧱 I want to construct a commercial building with a store, an office, and rental space. I’ll also build a beautiful home for my family.
Even more meaningfully, her success is helping her children achieve theirs. One of her children is already in university, and the rest are well on their way:
🎓 In about 4–5 years, my last born will be done with school. Then I’ll enjoy my oil money in peace,” she says with pride.
🛫 Looking Ahead: Going Global
With a new airport in Hoima and a growing export market, Teddy is thinking globally:
🌍 Even the airport is now here — we must utilize it. I want to start exporting my produce. I want to travel. I want to grow.
From the dust of displacement to the corridors of contracting, Teddy’s story reminds us of the incredible power of information, inclusion, and intentional support. With the right tools and connections, even the most marginalized voices can shape — and thrive in — Uganda’s oil future.
