NGO donates over 20 bicycles to Rubirizi VSLA groups to tackle household poverty
RUBIRIZI, October 8, 2025 –- The Community Volunteer Initiative for Development [COVOID], a local non-governmental organisation [NGO], has donated a total of 21 brand new bicycles to members of Village Savings and Loan Association [VSLA] groups in Kicwamba Sub-county, Rubirizi district. The initiative is part of efforts to support rural livelihoods and enhance household incomes.
The handover ceremony took place on Monday at COVOID’s offices in Nyakasharu Town Council, Rubirizi district.
Julius Barigye, COVOID’s Project Coordinator, said the initiative forms part of a broader campaign aimed at improving living standards across Rubirizi and Bushenyi districts.
“Today, we have donated 21 bicycles to VSLA groups in Kicwamba Sub-county,” Barigye announced. “These bicycles will enable members to transport agricultural produce such as onions, bananas, and sweet potatoes to market. Each bicycle can carry up to 200 kilogrammes.”
Barigye also highlighted the bicycles’ potential to improve access to education, healthcare, and community services. He cautioned beneficiaries against selling the bicycles for short-term financial gain, urging them instead to use them as intended.
“These bicycles will help children travel long distances to school and will assist families in reaching health services. We will continue to monitor their use to ensure they are being utilised appropriately,” he said.
Barigye further encouraged wider participation in the scheme. “We urge all VSLA members in Bushenyi and Rubirizi to take part in this campaign. At COVOID, we promote a cost-sharing model where three people can come together to purchase a bicycle at Shs 730,000, and in return, we provide them with two additional bicycles.” He noted that the programme specifically targets the inclusion of women and children to improve food security, education, healthcare, and general social welfare.
Promoting empowerment and sustainable development
COVOID’s Executive Director, Ben Bataringaya, spoke about the organisation’s broader mission, which includes advancing the implementation of human rights conventions and the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] to reduce poverty and empower communities.
“COVOID is committed to building sustainable communities where volunteers lead positive change, fostering empowerment, equity, and innovation through collaboration,” Bataringaya said. He explained that focusing on VSLA groups helps to streamline mobilisation and disseminate knowledge and skills to a wider community.
“Each targeted household will receive a bicycle to ease the transportation of agricultural produce and increase productivity,” he added, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to practical and sustainable support that enhances rural livelihoods and alleviates poverty.
Beneficiaries express gratitude
Recipients of the bicycles expressed their appreciation for the initiative. Mwajuma Bakihwahwenki from Kicwamba noted the benefits the bicycles would bring in terms of food security and market access.
“I thank COVOID for giving us these bicycles, which will help us transport foodstuffs from our distant gardens and also send children to fetch water,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Kiiza Rwabikoro, highlighted the health and education benefits. “Our health centres are far, and we’ve had to wake up very early to walk our children to school. With these bicycles, they will get to school on time, and we will also benefit from the physical exercise,” he said.
https://thecooperator.news/aduku-subcounty-leaders-get-bicycles-for-pdm-monitoring/
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