LAUNDRY BAR SOAP SOLUTION FOR REFUGEES
CATEGORY: Humanitarian Innovation
SERVICES: Fabrication, Manufacturing, Installation, Training
DATE: 2021
CUSTOMER: UNHCR Uganda (Yumbe District).
#01. How it works
In 2021, Musa Body Machinery partnered with UNHCR Uganda to deliver the world’s first refugee soap production turnkey project. Installed in Yumbe District—home to one of the largest refugee settlements globally—the facility was designed to manufacture laundry soap locally.
The system was engineered to cut UNHCR’s recurring procurement costs, which had reached hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, by shifting from purchasing soap to producing it within the settlement. Beyond the financial savings, the project aimed to create a practical skills hub, offering both refugees and host community members opportunities to learn soap production, operate custom machinery, and generate income.
This innovative model positioned Uganda as the pioneer of a sustainable humanitarian solution under UNHCR’s global framework.
#02. TECHNOLOGY PROCESS
The project involved custom fabrication of soap-making machinery at Musa Body’s Kampala workshop. Each unit was designed for durability, energy efficiency, and ease of use, ensuring it could be operated by trainees with no prior technical background.
The technology process included:
Fabrication & Assembly of specialized soap production lines.
Deployment & Installation in Yumbe settlement.
Hands-on Training for refugees and community helpers, covering operation, quality control, and maintenance.
Commissioning & Handover to UNHCR for full-scale community use.
Despite COVID-19 related supply chain challenges, Musa Body ensured delivery on time by leveraging local sourcing and engineering expertise.
Qualified staff
Our engineers and trainers ensured smooth implementation by translating complex technical processes into simple, practical steps. With decades of experience, Musa Body’s team made sure beneficiaries—many with no prior technical background—could operate and maintain the machinery confidently.
#03. powerful solutions
This pilot delivered multiple benefits that stretched beyond machinery:
Cost Savings: A clear path for UNHCR to save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on soap procurement.
Skills Development: Refugees and host community members acquired technical, production, and business management skills.
Employment & Livelihoods: The facility became a platform for income generation and economic empowerment.
Sustainability: By reducing dependence on external suppliers, the project fostered self-reliance and resiliencewithin the refugee community.
Diplomatic Impact: The project demonstrated how local engineering innovation can redefine global humanitarian assistance models.
“This pilot is not just about making soap—it is about dignity, skills, and sustainability.”
— UNHCR Field Representative, Yumbe District
