In Northern Uganda’s Kalongo Town Council, a group of women is rewriting the story of empowerment — one friendship, one savings meeting, and one small business at a time. The Adyero Women’s Group has become a beacon of hope and resilience, proving that when women unite with purpose, entire communities can rise.
From a Dream to a Movement of Change
The story of Adyero Women’s Group began in March 2014 when Mrs. Abalo Lillian Ongom, the group’s visionary patron, shared her dream of bringing women together to fight poverty through solidarity and self-reliance. Inspired by similar initiatives in Lira City, she planted the seeds of what would become one of Agago District’s most inspiring women’s movements.
By April 27, 2015, the group was officially registered with Kalongo Town Council, and in February 2020, it became a Community-Based Organization (CBO).
Today, Adyero Women’s Group boasts 51 active members — all women — drawn from Kalongo Town and surrounding areas, including those who now live in Gulu, Lira, Kampala, and even Arua. Husbands of members play supportive roles as honorary “extraordinary members,” affectionately referred to as “This One There.”
Their unity and collective purpose have created more than a women’s group — they’ve built a community of friendship, growth, and shared resilience.
The Meaning of “Adyero” — Friendship That Transforms Lives
“Adyero” is a Luo word meaning friendship — and it defines everything the group stands for. Each member is paired with a “Special Adyero”, a friendship that represents loyalty, mentorship, and emotional support.
These partnerships extend beyond the group’s meetings, creating strong personal bonds that keep members connected even during life’s toughest moments. Through this network, women celebrate achievements together and support each other through hardship — building trust, confidence, and sisterhood that many say has changed their lives.
“Adyero means friendship — and that’s what keeps us strong,” says Ms. Florence Aryemo, Chairperson of the Adyero Women’s Group. “When women come together, we can overcome anything.”
Saving Together, Growing Together
At the core of Adyero’s success lies a simple but powerful idea — collective savings. Members pool their resources into a revolving fund, from which they can borrow money to pay school fees, handle emergencies, or invest in small businesses.
The loans carry minimal interest, and profits are shared among members at the end of each year. This model has not only provided financial security but also created a sense of ownership and pride among members.
“The revolving fund has helped me pay school fees and handle emergencies without stress,” Florence explains. “It’s our safety net and a tool for growth.”
Beyond financial gains, this initiative has strengthened financial literacy and independence among women who previously relied solely on their spouses or seasonal farming income.
Empowering Women Through Work and Enterprise
Agriculture is central to life in Kalongo, and the Adyero Women’s Group has turned it into a key tool for empowerment. Members engage in cotton farming, vegetable production, and other small-scale agricultural projects. They also invest in entrepreneurial ventures such as trading and services to boost household income.
While challenges like climate change and limited funds have at times hindered progress, the group remains optimistic. With plans to launch a catering service and event equipment rental business (tents and chairs), they aim to create new income streams that can sustain their operations year-round.
Their ambition is simple but powerful: to help every woman achieve financial stability while contributing to the local economy of Kalongo Town.
The Ripple Effect: How Empowered Women Build Stronger Communities
The impact of Adyero Women’s Group goes far beyond its 51 members. Every step they take toward self-sufficiency strengthens the broader community.
- Families benefit when mothers can pay school fees or handle emergencies.
- Local businesses grow when women reinvest their earnings in Kalongo Town.
- Social cohesion improves as members lead by example, encouraging others to form similar groups.
The group’s inclusive nature — bringing together peasants, teachers, businesswomen, health workers, and women in leadership — creates a learning environment where everyone shares skills, experiences, and inspiration.
“Any stride we make towards improving our income translates into better lives for our families and boosts Kalongo’s economy,” Florence notes.
Strength in Adversity
Like all great stories, Adyero’s journey has not been without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted meetings, reduced savings, and limited agricultural activities. But even during lockdowns, members stayed connected — offering each other encouragement and planning for the future.
Other challenges, such as unpredictable weather and limited access to capital, persist. Yet the group continues to grow, thanks to unity, faith, and shared purpose.
Regular Sunday meetings allow members to brainstorm, solve problems, and make collective decisions — a culture that keeps the group transparent and strong.
Recognition and Achievements
Adyero Women’s Group’s impact has not gone unnoticed. The group was honoured with a 1 million Ugandan Shilling Professor Dr JJ Otim Development Award, celebrating their contribution to community development and women’s empowerment.
They have also supported the formation of new Adyero chapters in Wol Town Council, Pakor Parish, and other parts of Agago District, spreading their message of friendship and solidarity.
Such recognition has strengthened their resolve to dream bigger — envisioning a network of Adyero groups across Uganda and beyond.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Adyero Women’s Group hopes to:
- Expand membership across Northern Uganda.
- Launch small-scale enterprises like catering services and event rentals.
- Strengthen ties with sister Adyero groups in Lira, Gulu, and Kitgum.
- Engage in productive agriculture as a sustainable business.
- Advocate for women’s rights, environmental conservation, and healthy living.
Their dream is to become a regional model of women-led development, where cooperation replaces competition and friendship fuels transformation.
A Call to Action: Invest in Women, Invest in the Future
The story of Adyero Women’s Group is proof that grassroots enterprises are not small efforts — they are the seeds of lasting change. When women gain access to financial tools, education, and solidarity, entire communities thrive.
You can help keep this flame burning.
✅ Partner with or sponsor local women’s groups like Adyero.
✅ Invest in grassroots entrepreneurship initiatives.
✅ Share their story to inspire others.
✅ Support training and microfinance programs that uplift rural women.
“When women rise, families thrive — and communities flourish.”
Together, we can amplify the impact of the Adyero Women’s Group and countless others like them. Because when you invest in women, you invest in a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous world.
Celebration of Adyero Women’s day held on 18th Dec 2021 in Kalongo
A celebration of the Adyero Women’s Day took place on Saturday 18 December 2021. The event was hosted at the home of Adyero Anena Stella Obonyo in Wangwiny North, Kalongo Town Council as part of a reciprocal visit from her ‘Special Adyero’ Oliya Lucya from Lira City.
The Adeyro Women’s Group is made up of women mostly from Kalongo Town with other members who hail from Kalongo but reside in Gulu, Lira, Kampala and other areas outside Agago District.
Adyero means friendship so members forge friendships within pairs of what are called ‘Special Adyeros’ or ‘Special Friends’. Within these pairs, women offer support to each other in times of joy or sickness. They stand with one another and with the entire Adyero fraternity to show solidarity and support each other to celebrate or overcome any challenges.
How the event unfolded
Prior to the arrival of the Lira Women’s group, the Agago District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Akello Baetrice Akori was very warmly welcomed.
The Adyero Women Group Kalongo Town Council Headed by Adyero Anena Stella Obonyo welcomed the Adyero Women’s Group from Lira City who were led by Adyero Lucy Oliya.
As is the rule, members of the welcoming team of Adyero women spread a carpet on the ground and the visiting Adyero members kneel down on their knees and crawl to greet their colleagues.
The Chief Guest of honour, Hon Okot John Amos MP Agago North Constituency whose wife is one of the members of Adyero Women’s Group Kalongo Town Council, delivered a speech. He thanked the husbands of the Adyero Women’s Group (who are referred to as “This One There”) for accepting and supporting their wives’ participation in such a noble Group. He encouraged all husbands to support their spouses in joining groups like Adyero which empower women.
Mrs Abalo Lillian Ongom, the Patron and promoter of Adyero Women’s Group addressed the invited guests and all the Adyero members from the various groups.
She reiterated her commitment to seeing more women united and thanked the Adyero Women’s Group Kalongo Town Council for organizing such a wonderful ceremony. She said this kind of formation hinged on friendship, love and integrity. She said people should not be focused on material things but rather on the act of love and friendship.
She said Adyero promotes good behaviour, respect and friendship. Members should act maturely and be exemplary in their day-to-day activities and also be supportive of one another as that is the essence of the Adyero dictum.
Mrs Abalo Lillian Ongom thanked the host, Stella Anena Obonyo, and the Visiting Guest and Special Friend, Lucy Oliya, for sharing their friendship with the community of Kalongo Town Council in such a joyous event – the first of its kind in Kalongo Town Council.
Donations
Hon Okot John Amos donated one million Uganda Shillings (1,000,000/=) to the Adyero group to support their development Agenda.
The Kalongo Times gave the Adyero group the December 2021 Professor Dr JJ Otim Development Award also of one million Uganda Shillings (1,000,000/=) and provided some funds to support the organisation of this event.