Community-led
Listen first, then build programmes with communities rather than for them.
His story
Leadership built from lived experience.
Muganuzi's community work began in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, supporting peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence across communities affected by conflict.
When escalating violence forced him to Uganda in 2015, the work moved with him. He continued listening to and organising with refugee youth and women, focusing on resilience, social cohesion and the barriers preventing people from rebuilding independent lives.
In 2017, those experiences helped shape YAREN in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Formerly the Young African Refugees Entrepreneurs Network, the organisation connected entrepreneurship and education with wellbeing, dignity and community leadership.
As Founder and Executive Director, Muganuzi guides YAREN's strategy while keeping programmes grounded in what refugee and host communities identify as useful, practical and lasting.
Practical opportunity
Connect learning to livelihoods, confidence and choices people can use in daily life.
Rooted locally
Pair lived experience with partnerships that strengthen locally owned solutions.
In the work
A journey built alongside communities.
Moments of leadership, listening, planning and learning across YAREN's community-led work.
My journey from community peacebuilding in South Kivu to rebuilding life as a refugee in Uganda shaped YAREN's belief in dignity, practical opportunity and local leadership.