Esther Lucy Adeke

Esther Lucy Adeke is a social entrepreneur and disability inclusion advocate from Eastern Uganda who is committed to creating sustainable livelihoods for marginalized communities. Growing up in Ngora District, she witnessed firsthand the struggles of people with disabilities, particularly survivors of landslides in Bududa and Ngora districts. These experiences inspired her to co-found Craftwear City Uganda, a social enterprise that equips youth with disabilities with craft shoemaking and entrepreneurship skills.

Under her leadership, Craftwear City has trained over 30 people with disabilities and more than 800 students across five communities, while selling more than 2,500 pairs of shoes locally and internationally. The enterprise has increased the income of participants by 15 percent between 2022 and 2024, while reducing stigma and improving mental health. Esther has also secured partnership with the Makerere University Innovation Pod expanding opportunities for students with disabilities. Her work has been recognized through awards such as the 2024 Muslim Startup Excellence Award, the Resolution Project Fellowship, and most recently a EUR 20,000 Project Scholarship from beVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellowship that is enabling Craftwear City to integrate plant leather and textile upcycling into its eco-entrepreneurial model.

​

Beyond her venture, Esther is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar Shifters 100 Academy participant, and an emerging voice in eco-entrepreneurship. Her leadership is deeply rooted in her Anglican faith, which she credits for shaping her vision of servant leadership, resilience, and inclusion.

​

For her Mountaintop Fellowship, Esther is scaling Craftwear City to train 100 more youth with disabilities over the next five years while expanding to seven communities in Uganda. Her project combines craftsmanship, financial literacy, digital marketing, and mentorship to help participants achieve financial independence. By promoting disability inclusion and eco-entrepreneurship, Esther is building a future where marginalized communities can thrive with dignity and sustainability. Esther holds a bachelor's degree in Community Psychology from Makerere University and she’s currently pursuing an MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Edinburgh.