Basket weavers make up the majority of the over 300 artisans who contribute work to Uganda Crafts 2000 LTD. Since 1983, Uganda Crafts has been providing income to some of the most disadvantaged Ugandans:  the disabled, widows and people living with HIV/AIDS. Nusulah Kinene co-founded Uganda Crafts with her mother, Betty (pictured here), who is herself disabled. A basket weaver, Nusulah, like many of the basket makers, learned to weave baskets from her mother and grandmothers.

The baskets balance tradition and creativity with ingenuity. Natural materials such as raffia, banana and millet stems, reeds and sea weed are interwoven to create distinctive patterns in a range of colors, both soft and vibrant. Ugandan households continue to make and use these baskets for food preparation and protection, as well as for marriage gifts.