The Uganda Alliance: The power of partnership

Student standing behind a cart on wheels with various baskets and jewelry on display.
Sydney Pottebaum, senior in environmental science, selling crafts from the Global Shop to students around campus earlier this semester.

By Katrina Hageman

The Uganda Alliance student organization at Iowa State University has reached the five-year mark of improving revenue and awareness opportunities for Ugandan people, one basket or craft item at a time.

The organization was started in 2019 by former Iowa State student Katie Stringer (‘20 global resource systems). After returning from a Uganda trip, Stringer wanted to broaden students, faculty and community members’ knowledge of Ugandan development and provide additional economic opportunities for the Ugandan people. This vision motivated her to establish the Uganda Alliance.

Partnering with the Tusubila Craft Group, located in the Kamuli District of Uganda, is an important component of the Uganda Alliance. This arrangement provides group members with an opportunity to sell their products, and it assists the student club in generating awareness about Ugandan culture throughout Iowa State’s campus.

Products available for purchase range from baskets, jewelry and bags of various colors and sizes. Inventory is brought back to Iowa State’s campus by professors and students returning from Uganda trips throughout the year.

Sydney Pottebaum, senior in environmental science, is the inventory chair for the Uganda Alliance. She said, “Our goal is to always sell as much as we can, while also helping the Iowa State community learn about our club, the Uganda Program, and the Tusubila Craft Group.”

In 2023, the Uganda Alliance sold around 180 crafts, totaling over $1,000 in sales. Craft sales have been increasing; therefore, the club has started analyzing each sale location.

“Last year we began telling the Tusubila Craft Group what products were selling well,” Pottebaum said. “The artists are now able to make crafts more specific to what students want, which has played a role in increasing sales.”

Numerous outlets are used to sell Tusubila crafts, including the Global Shop, which is a mobile stand that travels around for campus craft sales, and the Uganda Alliance’s Instagram account.

The remaining craft sale for this semester will take place on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside Parks Library on campus.

Get involved with the Uganda Alliance 

Once a month, the Uganda Alliance meets to discuss craft sales and upcoming events. Uganda-based staff are also invited to speak about stories and experiences.

Students are encouraged to get involved in the Uganda Alliance. The organization is open to all majors, and while traveling to Uganda is highly recommended, it is not required to be involved.

Tammi Martin, Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods program coordinator and assistant director for community income generation innovations, is the Uganda Alliance advisor.

“Uganda Alliance is a way for students who have participated in service-learning in Uganda to stay connected,” Martin said. “It also gives members who have not participated in Uganda trips the opportunity to connect with the Ugandan community and contribute to development projects.”

To keep informed about Uganda Alliance craft sales and events, follow the organization on Instagram, @uganda_alliance_isu