Margaret Opondo

A Ugandan social entrepreneur who pioneered women's cooperatives to empower rural communities through sustainable agriculture.

Margaret Opondo (1925–2003) was a visionary Ugandan leader whose work transformed rural livelihoods through women-led cooperatives. Born in the Buganda region, she dedicated her life to addressing poverty and gender inequality in post-colonial Uganda. Her initiatives in the 1950s and 1960s laid the groundwork for community-driven development, emphasizing self-reliance and environmental stewardship.

Opondo's breakthrough came in the 1960s when she founded the Women’s Agricultural Cooperative Society, training women in organic farming and crop diversification. This model reduced dependency on cash crops and improved food security for over 10,000 families. Her cooperative networks became a blueprint for similar programs across East Africa, inspiring organizations like the FAO to support grassroots agricultural innovation.

Beyond agriculture, Opondo championed women's access to education and healthcare. She established mobile clinics and literacy programs, often facing resistance from traditional leaders. Her advocacy for land rights led to policy changes in Uganda's 1967 Land Act, ensuring women's legal ownership of property. Her memoir, Roots of Resilience, details her struggles and triumphs.

Today, Opondo is remembered as a pioneer of sustainable development. The Uganda Women's Network continues her mission, while her cooperatives remain operational in rural districts. Her legacy underscores the power of local leadership in addressing global challenges like hunger and inequality.