During the 1980s, Okere Mom-Kok was destroyed in the Ugandan Civil War. Now, thanks to an investor, it has become a sustainable utopia for its 4,000 residents.
Okere City is based on principles of renewable energy and sustainability. The village includes a church, clinic, school, and a nightclub that also serves as a community theater. Electricity is powered by solar energy, and clean water allows Okere City to keep cholera outbreaks at bay.
Ojok Okello, an international development expert, invested $54,000 of his own money into the community.
"I don't want this project to be at the mercy of some white people," said Okello, who explained that he had seen many NGO-funded projects fall through due to lack of involvement from outsiders.
The most lucrative aspect of Okere City is its shea trees.
"I looked at [the shea tree] and realized that we have this important natural resource and we were not harnessing it," Okello continued. "And I thought about [Marvel Cinema's] Wakanda and Black Panther, they had vibranium, this shea tree could be our vibranium. So I am like: 'Damn, I'm going to invest everything within my means to tap this resource, to protect [it], and to use it to emancipate my community."
Okello plans to use his knowledge of business and banking to help the community expand.