The transformation of Eunice Mutoro Sunday
For many, retirement is a time to slow down. But for Eunice Mutoro Sunday, a retired headteacher in Kilembe Division, Kasese Municipality, it was the beginning of a second calling. Today, she is not just an urban farmer; she is a champion of nutrition, a digital entrepreneur, and a leader of women.
Eunice’s journey began decades ago when she witnessed the devastating effects of malnutrition in her community. Despite, sponsored programs highlighting that stunted growth in children was linked to a lack of macronutrients from vegetables, many parents were slow to adopt school gardening initiatives.
What started as a small experimental plot of ten potted gardens soon blossomed into SUNICE Urban Farm. Guided by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) project and lead experts like Professor Frank Mugagga, Eunice transitioned from subsistence to commercial farming. Through the RUFS project, Eunice mastered:
- Organic practices: Using manure from her pigs and poultry to replace expensive, harsh chemicals.
- Digital marketing: By sharing photos of her produce on social media, she expanded her reach far beyond Kilembe.
- Her digital presence secured her a lucrative tender with Serengeti Energies, supplying fresh vegetable seedlings to women in the mountain regions.
As a Mothers’ Union Coordinator in the South Rwenzori Diocese, Eunice has turned her farm into a classroom. She has institutionalized a “Healthy Competition” among women, where they visit each other’s homes to inspect kitchen gardens, cooking stoves, and sanitation.
The impact is visible in the faces of the children in her community. “The children are no longer looking malnourished,” she says proudly. By encouraging pregnant mothers to prioritize nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, she is systematically fighting the stunting she first saw as a young teacher.
“As an individual, this farming has really helped me because it keeps me busy, and I get income. This has helped me educate my children and sustain my family. I have gotten many friends and increased my social network. I have gotten more knowledge as I interact with different people, for example, professors, and I have also been exposed as I move to different districts.” Eunice rejoices
“As for RUFS, they have helped me a lot, through technical advice and helping me to document my work. Currently, I am writing a book. Through documenting my work and writing online, I can get more market. I encourage everyone to start urban farming. You can begin small, don’t fear, and keep positive.” Eunice narrates.