Our Story

 

Tugende Design was born from the heart of Uganda, the bond between a mother and daughter—Irene Nakamatte and Primruth Marshall. Though we come from different generations, our lives are united by a shared purpose: caring for others and uplifting women.

Primruth, a psychotherapist, spends her days helping people heal, grow, and reclaim their voices. Irene, a seasoned entrepreneur in home healthcare, has spent decades ensuring people live with dignity and support. While our paths are different, our belief is the same—when women are empowered emotionally, mentally, financially, and creatively, entire communities flourish.

That belief is the heartbeat of Tugende Design.

Tugende was started as a social enterprise with a mission: to help women in Uganda earn meaningful, sustainable income through handcrafted jewelry. Each piece is made with love and care—rolled by hand, varnished, and strung with intention—sometimes taking several days to complete.

Our signature beads are made from recycled paper, giving discarded materials a second life as beautiful, wearable art. It’s a small but meaningful way we honor creativity, resourcefulness, and sustainability.

We partner with talented artisan groups across Uganda, all led by strong women determined to build brighter futures for their families. We offer a living wage, consistent orders, and a commitment to growth. And we go further.

Tugende means “let’s go” in Luganda—a joyful call to action. To create. To uplift. To keep moving forward. That’s what we stand for.

When you wear a piece from Tugende Design, you’re wearing more than just jewelry. You’re wearing a story—of strength, creativity, and connection. You’re helping women send their children to school, put food on the table, and build a better future.

Let’s go. Let’s lift each other up. Let’s make a difference—together.

Explore our collection. Share the story. Wear the change.