Why create a Bitcoin Circular Economy in Uganda?
From the beginning, Bitcoin held the promise of empowering the unbanked and restoring individual empowerment by challenging governments and financial institutions. Nevertheless, realising this pledge had been challenging until recently. However, thanks to various grassroots initiatives, this potential is now becoming attainable.
Bitcoin presents itself as a secure, swift, and dependable monetary system, poised to serve as a medium of exchange. As our leaders show little inclination to empower the people and relinquish state influence over currency, achieving this goal requires a collaborative endeavour from society, utilising Bitcoin as the foundation for a communal banking platform.
Our objective is to reproduce the successful Bitcoin experiments by establishing and sustaining a Bitcoin Circular Economy that caters to the residents of Uganda, starting from Kampala and Bugiri district. Additionally, we aim to revitalise our community's image to attract Bitcoin enthusiasts.
Kampala is the Capital of Uganda and Bugiri district is situated in the eastern, known for its agricultural activities, including subsistence farming of crops like rice, maize, millet, beans, and cassava, as well as fishing due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. The region boasts a diverse population with various ethnic groups and cultures contributing to its vibrant community. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and services to enhance the living standards of the locals.
Kampala is the Capital of Uganda and Bugiri district is situated in the eastern, known for its agricultural activities, including subsistence farming of crops like rice, maize, millet, beans, and cassava, as well as fishing due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. The region boasts a diverse population with various ethnic groups and cultures contributing to its vibrant community. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and services to enhance the living standards of the locals.Kampala is the Capital of Uganda and Bugiri district is situated in the eastern, known for its agricultural activities, including subsistence farming of crops like rice, maize, millet, beans, and cassava, as well as fishing due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. The region boasts a diverse population with various ethnic groups and cultures contributing to its vibrant community. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and services to enhance the living standards of the locals.Kampala is the Capital of Uganda and Bugiri district is situated in the eastern, known for its agricultural activities, including subsistence farming of crops like rice, maize, millet, beans, and cassava, as well as fishing due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. The region boasts a diverse population with various ethnic groups and cultures contributing to its vibrant community. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and services to enhance the living standards of the locals.Kampala is the Capital of Uganda and Bugiri district is situated in the eastern, known for its agricultural activities, including subsistence farming of crops like rice, maize, millet, beans, and cassava, as well as fishing due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. The region boasts a diverse population with various ethnic groups and cultures contributing to its vibrant community. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and services to enhance the living standards of the locals.Kampala is the Capital of Uganda and Bugiri district is situated in the eastern, known for its agricultural activities, including subsistence farming of crops like rice, maize, millet, beans, and cassava, as well as fishing due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. The region boasts a diverse population with various ethnic groups and cultures contributing to its vibrant community. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and services to enhance the living standards of the locals.Kampala is the Capital of Uganda and Bugiri district is situated in the eastern, known for its agricultural activities, including subsistence farming of crops like rice, maize, millet, beans, and cassava, as well as fishing due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. The region boasts a diverse population with various ethnic groups and cultures contributing to its vibrant community. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and services to enhance the living standards of the locals.
Get connected with Bitcoin Kampala Uganda
Twitter: @BitcoinKampala
E-mail: bitcoinkampala@gmail.com
How did Bitcoin Kampala Uganda get started?
Bitcoin Kampala Uganda was born out of the inspiration of Bitcoin Ekasi and Bitcoin Beach Brazil. A month prior to the BTC Prague 2023 conference, Bitcoin Ekasi issued a tweet challenging anyone who believed they could build a Bitcoin circular economy, drawing from the success of Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador. The offer was a conference ticket for BTC Prague, providing an opportunity for the right person to learn how to create a circular economy in their local community.
Through a Twitter community poll, Brindon Mwiine B emerged as the winner, demonstrating his previous efforts in organising local Bitcoin meetups, educating the community about Bitcoin, and fostering adoption. He was awarded the conference ticket and embarked on a fundraising journey, utilising Geyser Fund, to cover his expenses for the trip to Prague. Against all odds, he succeeded in raising the necessary funds, getting a late visa and made it to the conference on the morning of the appointed day.
Attending BTC Prague and immersing himself in the circular economies’ booth there proved invaluable. The knowledge and guidance he gained, particularly from the creators of Bitcoin Ekasi in South Africa and Bitcoin Beach Brazil, made the establishment of Bitcoin Kampala Uganda an inevitable and exciting endeavour.
First Activation of Bitcoin Kampala Uganda
In early July 2023, a team of four arrived in Bugiri district with a Bitcoinize PoS Machine and 14 bolt cards. Their mission was to meet with 76 Children of Orphans of Uganda Orphanage, where they successfully replicated the impactful "Fruits for 10 sats" campaign. Over the course of the month, they continued their visits and achieved a significant milestone by onboarding a school and a local vendor to accept Bitcoin payments for the donations sent to the orphanage. This transformative initiative has the potential to revolutionise the way transactions and support are conducted, bringing about positive change for the community.
Second Activation of Bitcoin Kampala Uganda
On July 21st, we revisited the orphanage, bringing 25 mosquito nets and clothes for the 77 children. Our goals were two-fold:
1. Understand their immediate challenges. We discovered the kids sleep on uncomfortable reed mats and worn-out beds. Lack of electricity limits activities after 7 pm, including receiving Bitcoin donations.
We identified a need to temporarily renovate the orphanage until they construct their building on owned land.
2. Met the school headteacher and the fruit vendor. We gifted the Bitcoin Diploma to the headteacher of Starlight Elementary School, who expressed interest in accepting Bitcoin for tuition and canteen purchases. The fruit vendor, shown Bitcoin Lightning transactions via a friend's phone, eagerly awaits the Bitcoinize PoS Machine to receive Bitcoin payments.
In August, we gathered quotes and purchased:
- 30 triple-layer beds (total 90)
- 90 mattresses
- 180 pairs of bed-sheets (2 per bed)
Third Activation of Bitcoin Kampala Uganda
To address the orphanage's financial challenges, we took an innovative approach. With generous Bitcoin contributions from Hong Kong, we bought land and provided a 5-year non-cash lease, enabling the orphanage to grow its own food. Despite the late planting, we achieved a satisfactory harvest in December 2023, using modern farming techniques guided by a Bitcoin-accepting Agro-Consultant.
We also supplied essential farming equipment i.e hoes, gumboots and others for efficiency. For education, we provided materials, uniforms, and cleared tuition using Bitcoin. Five students passed their final primary leaving exams and will attend high school in 2024, while others continue their education with added weekly Bitcoin classes. We're committed to sustainable solutions for the orphanage's needs.
Roadmap
Drawing inspiration from the experiences in El Zonte, Mossel Bay, and Jericoacoara, our strategy involves providing evidence of our efforts by successfully completing each task outlined in our crowdfunding campaign and sharing the results publicly on Twitter.
2023
[OK]Take part in the Bitcoin Ekasi BTC Prague Ticket Giveaway
[OK]Get to BTC Prague Conference, learn from the Circular Economies booth
[OK]Create a Proton Email for Bitcoin Kampala and activate 2FA
[OK]Setup Node, SSL Certificate, Domain, Lightning, LNBits and BtcPayServer
[OK]Create a Bitcoin Kampala Twitter Account
[OK]Publish the crowdfunding campaign
[OK]Purchase EPSON L2460 Printer
[OK]Make initial visit to Orphans of Uganda
[OK]Make First activation and deliver one Bitcoinize PoS and 14 Bolt Cards
[OK]Start to provide fruits for 10 sats daily for the kids of the Orphanage
[OK]Deliver and start reading daily- 50 "Bitcoin for Kids Books" to the orphanage.
[OK]Purchase 5 Bitcoinize PoS Machines for the different vendors both in Kampala and Bugiri
[OK]Continue offering fruits for 10 sats
[OK]Orange Pill the fruits vendor and train them on accepting Bitcoin
[OK]Set up a Bitcoin AMA booth at Makerere University Freshers' Orientation week
[OK]Make second activation at the orphanage, deliver 30 (3 layer each) beds for all the children
[OK]Deliver 90 Mattresses and 180 Pairs of Bed sheets (2 for each bed) for the children
[OK]Deliver 90 toothbrushes and toothpaste for the children
[OK]Renovate, paint and make the current orphanage premises more livable for the children
[OK]Create a community on BTCMap.org
[OK]Add merchants to BTCMap.org
[OK]Translation of the student workbook of "My First Bitcoin" into Luganda and Lusoga
[OK]Facilitate the first Bitcoin Gorilla Trekking trip by Gorilla Sats
[OK]Facilitate the purchase of land in Bitcoin, lease it the orphanage to solve the monstrous food expense
[OK]Implement Kampala Bitcoin Payments in local merchants i.e Tasty Dine, Zimbali Bistro
[OK]Purchase School Uniforms and Scholastic Materials for Orphans
[FAIL]Attend and learn from Adopting Bitcoin - El Salvador (17-11-2023)
[FAIL]Attend Africa Bitcoin Conference and inspire more people to start circular economies in Africa
[OK]Organize a meetup for Kampala dwellers and tell the story of what
Bitcoin is doing in Bugiri and onboard them to the whatsapp community
group
Q1- 2024
[OK]Enable setting up of Bitcoin Juice Shop around Makerere University to create an exemplary model for operating a Bitcoin preferred business
[OK]Facilitate the expansion of Bitcoin Dada in Uganda by rallying the ladies community to attend the meetups and learning classes
Host quarterly meetups about self custody and build learning units through newsletter & community whatsapp group.
Implement the Fruits for Sats fully by enabling the kids make symbolic payments daily
Consistently add Businesses to BTC Map for easy directions to Bitcoin friendly stores
Organize a Bitcoin Tournament for each quota to award winners in sats (Puts sats in the hands of students to spend)
Open a volunteer aspect for the orphanage i.e Visiting Bitcoiners and Non Bitcoiners can assist with the orphanage tasks.
Generate, print, cut and pack 90 Bolt Cards and 90 paper wallets
Install the POS Machine in the Bitcoin juice shop and add it to BTCMap.org
Make the first batch of seed signers and simplify community access to self custody
Organize different videos about the orphanage, Kampala business adoption, learning content and meetups for a Bitcoin Kampala Youtube
Set Up a 10 Chicken Egg Layers Demo Farm, assess viability of a weekly Egg day for the orphanage(Protein Program)
Q2- 2024
Set Up Local full Node for Bitcoin Kampala
Start Weekly Bitcoin Education for the kids and reward attendance and participation in sats.
Paint Bitcoin related art around and in the university area and Bugiri at the Orphanage
Make the fourth activation and deliver 90 bolt cards and 90 paper wallets
Buy 90 Bitcoin pig banks to stimulate saving and goals
Set up infrastructure for printing paper wallets
Organize a Paid community trip to Gridless (mining site in Nairobi) for learning and tourism purposes.
Deliver a Bitcoinize PoS Machine to the Orphanage's Fruits supplier
Equip the school with Bitcoinize PoS machine to accept tuition payments and canteen purchases in Bitcoin
Deliver the translated First Diploma Student Workbook to the local community schools
Install Bitcoinize PoS at Zimbali Bistro to enable Bitcoin payments for monthly community meetups
Host a Bitcoin students' only Meetup in Makerere University
Rent a full house to double as a learning centre/office, space for Bitcoiners to gather and reduce meetup expenses
How and for what will donations be used?
We will use all Bitcoin donations to onboard new users, maintain an office, hire employees, create educational and promotional materials, buy hardware, develop software, contribute to local social projects, and pay expenses for services provided by the local people who participate in the work we do, following the lessons of the Original Bitcoin Beach Experiment in El Zonte.
We will not convert Bitcoin donations into fiat currency.
Donors
If you're a Bitcoin company or an individual donor donating over 1000 USD and would like to have your logo/avatar listed in the Donors section, please get in touch via bitcoinkampala@gmail.com after you make a donation, with an invoice or a transaction ID, and a logo/avatar in .png (200 x 200 px).
Special Thanks
