Eu uganda partnership 2014

Volume 07, 2014

EU and Uganda Official Publication of EU and Uganda Partnership

Coordinator JUSTIN K. OJANGOLE jojangole@haiagency.com Director Sales CHARLES OPOLOT copolot@haiagency.com Editorial SHARON M. OMURUNGI BENON H. OLUKA PAUL MUGABI Contributors EMMANUEL D. GYEZAHO REINT BAKEMA Sales & Marketing GEORGE OMODING KOSTA OPOLOT Design & Layout PETER MUGENI mugeni2010@gmail.com Photography PPU, OPM, HAI Agency For further Information, Please contact; HAI Agency (U) Ltd. P.O. Box 24413 Kampala-Uganda JK Building behind Apex House Tel: +256 (0) 414 223 507 +256 (0) 772/702 408 915 website:www.haiagency.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy of content from contributors and advertisers nor accept responsibility of any statements herein.

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Minister’s Foreword

Looking forward to strengthened EU- Uganda relations

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ganda and the European Union (EU) have enjoyed more than 30 years of close working relations and other ties.

Yet, as the EU marks this year’s Europe Day, we are particularly excited because of the feeling that we are opening a fresh page in our long-standing cooperation.

At the highest diplomatic level, this rejuvenation of ties is evident in the recent arrival of Ambassador Kristian Schmidt, the new EU Head of Delegation to Uganda.

Mr Schmidt, who presented his credentials to President Museveni in November 2013, celebrates his maiden Europe Day in Uganda.

On behalf of the Government of Uganda, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr Schmidt, wonderful Europe Day celebrations, a long and pleasant stay in Uganda. I assure him of the government’s steadfast commitment to working with the EU Delegation to Uganda to achieve our mutual goals.

Over the last decade alone, Uganda has benefitted up to €1.5billion in funding from the EU. Under any circumstances, this is a substantial sum of money, and

the results of the use we put this money into speak magnitudes about how useful it has been to Uganda’s development.

Nearly every region in Uganda has some major developments that have been funded by the EU, as shown in the interviews given to this magazine by some of my cabinet colleagues. Regions such as north and northeastern Uganda particularly stand out due to the support the EU offered through the Karamoja Livelihoods Programme (KALIP) and the €39 million disbursed for the rehabilitation of northern Uganda.

The EU also deserves our gratitude for the massive role that it has played in improving Uganda’s road infrastructure. EU funding has facilitated the construction of the Jinja-Bugiri road (72 kilometres); Kampala Northern Bypass (29 kilometres); Masaka-Mbarara road (151 kilometres) and the Mbarara-Ntungamo-Katuna road (154 kilometres) among others.

As EU - Uganda open a fresh page of this enduring relationship, it is refreshing and indeed gratifying that the EU has committed to provide Uganda with up to €578 million in the next seven years from 2014, through the

11th European Development Fund (EDF).

The latest offer, which is a considerable increase from the €460 million that the EU provided in the 10th EDF, is intended for Uganda’s transport infrastructure, food security and agriculture, good governance, as well as capacity building within the government and civil society.

As we embark on another year of continued cooperation with the EU, and the hard work involved in realising benefits from the 11th EDF, I call upon all Ugandans to give their best efforts towards achieving the mutual objectives that the EU and Uganda have set for the next seven years.

On behalf of the government, I would like to assure the EU that Uganda and all its people are grateful for the support that the EU continues to provide.

Hon. Maria Kiwanuka Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development/National Authorising Officer for EDF

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Europe Day, May 9, 2014 Europe Day – the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration- is a wonderful occasion to celebrate how in the EU we have overcome age old differences to shape a common future. On 9 May 1950 Robert Schuman called for unification of Europe to make war on the continent impossible and spread peace and prosperity globally.

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round the globe, whether in Cairo or Kiev, people aspire to these precious things: personal rights and freedoms, democratic governance, rule of law and a decent living.

Recent events in Ukraine show that we cannot take these values for granted. In today’s Europe, we see that democracy is a constant work in progress; we share a responsibility to safeguard and nurture it. And we will stand by those that go to the streets to call for it.

We created a common EU diplomatic service to ensure that when we speak, our voice is heard. And when we engage, our actions make a difference. Our citizens know that in the face of big problems such as fragile states, pandemics, energy security, climate change and

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migration, we are more effective together. And we do a lot more than talk. In Uganda, the EU has pledged â‚Ź578million over the next seven years, equally distributed among infrastructure projects, rural development and food security, but also human rights advocacy and good governance.

Over the past years, the European Union has built a diplomatic service for the 21st century.

Through its work, the EU acts as a global player, promoting universal values and European interests around the world. We have made human rights the silver thread that runs through EU foreign policy, assisting democratic transitions and helping oppressed minorities, social groups and NGOs to voice their concerns.

For Uganda this means that we are committed

to keep the public space open for everyone. Free public dialogue is a precondition for democracy, but only if everyone is ensured a safe participation, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

The EU also has an important role to play in bringing together partners around the world to achieve lasting peace and stability. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, leads the talks with Iran.

They resulted in an interim agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme last November - a crucial step towards making this world a safer and more secure place.

In crises around the world, the EU adopts a comprehensive approach that combines all the tools at our disposal: diplomatic, developmental, military and economic. This allows us to address not just the symptoms, but also the causes of the problems we face.

Take the Horn of Africa, where thanks to a combination of political dialogue with the government of Somalia, our naval mission ATALANTA, and targeted development aid and humanitarian

In crises around the world, the EU adopts a comprehensive approach that combines all the tools at our disposal: diplomatic, developmental, military and economic. This allows us to address not just the symptoms, but also the causes of the problems we face.

assistance, piracy has been reduced by 95%.

Today, the young boys that manned pirate ships go to school and learn the skills that will help them lead their country towards a more prosperous future.

All over the world, including East Africa, we are engaged in forging strategic economic alliances to further development. I believe the Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the EU and the East African Community will ease economic cooperation and benefit more than 500 million people. The success of the EU is also evidence for the success of regional integration in general.

Economic and political integration is of great reward: it shares the costs of globalisation but multiplies its benefits. However, every party must be truly committed to the process, not only recognising its own benefits, but also demonstrating altruistic support for its integration partners. We recognise that this process takes time. The European integration process started more than six decades ago and has by far not been concluded to this day.

Sixty four years ago Robert Schuman took a decisive step towards what we now know as the European Union today. Today, Europe Day is an opportunity for all of us: to commemorate past achievements, but also to look ahead at how we can shape our European future together and promote peace and prosperity at home and in the world.

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I am confident that our contribution to infrastructure will help spur overall economic growth over the next years- EU Head of Delegation to Uganda - Ambassador Kristian Schmidt You have been in Uganda for a relatively short time following your arrival last November. Briefly, tell us about your professional life prior to your posting here.

I have been an EU official for 15 years and before that in the Danish Foreign Service. I served in New York and Brussels but after more than 20 years dealing with EU politics in Brussels and development co-operation and many missions to Africa over the years, I was really happy to find a more permanent home in Uganda. I consider myself very lucky to be here.

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The EU has long been a committed partner to Uganda’s development. What are the major focal sectors EU funding is committed to in Uganda?

Over the last five years, we disbursed a total of €465million to development activities in Uganda. The major part of these funds, approximately €352million,

went to the focal areas agreed with the government of Uganda. These are transport, support to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) achievement with budget support and rural development. It is important to keep in mind that our support is in the form of grants, therefore, without interest burden and repayment obligation for the government. I am glad to see that, for example, we mobilized approximately €35million to help strengthen the state and civil society in the areas of accountability, human rights and good governance. The Democratic

Governance and Accountability Programme (DGAP) is just one example of how we support key governance objectives of the Ugandan development framework.

Another example is the transport sector and our contribution to the “Northern Corridor” road, part of which connects Masaka and Mbarara. In the agriculture sector, we provided the Sawlog Production Grant Scheme (SPGS) which continues to support sustainable timber production and the Karamoja Livelihoods Programme (KALIP) which supports one of the most disadvantaged regions in the country. We have provided €39million to Northern Uganda during the period 2009-13.

The support to Uganda’s progress toward reaching the MDG agenda has been channelled through direct budget support to the government. Over the last five years we have provided the fiscal space to send 450,000 children to primary school, immunize more than 80,000 children against measles, enable 40,000 mothers to give birth in a hospital with a professional attendant and to provide anti-retroviral treatment for more than 20,000 patients with advanced HIV infection. In parallel, we helped by financing a crucial programme in order to strengthen public financial management and financial accountability measures of the government. FINMAP was

instrumental in implementing the high-level action matrix established by the Government of Uganda in 2012 in order to restore development partner confidence in country systems, after some serious corruption cases where damage to concerned development partners has been reimbursed.

The overall poverty level in Uganda has fallen from 31% only six years ago to 22% in 2012/13. Uganda is one of the few countries to have halved extreme poverty before the 2015 deadline for the MDGs. The UN has named Uganda as one of the 40 countries worldwide which have made greater than expected gains in human development by 2012, based on better than average performance including the non-income dimensions of human development, health and education.

Uganda will continue to receive our support from our regional programmes under the European Development Fund (EDF). This is evident for the Water and Environment Sector It is first and foremost Ugandans who where Uganda received €33milcan and should be proud of this lion over the last five years, or The support to Uganda’s achievement. But I like to think for the Energy sector with progress toward reaching the Millennium that our development support €11million.

Development Goals has over the years helped make (MDG) agenda has been this difference. It would be too In addition to our support channelled through early to celebrate, however, and to Uganda from the EDF, direct budget support to we don’t have time to contemplate. there are thematic budget lines the government.

The Government’s tasks are far from from which we could mobilize finished and it would be an unfortunate more than €43million over the last misunderstanding to think that our assistance is five years. These thematic budget lines no longer needed or welcome. generally support civil society organisations as service providers complementary to government, or some We are well aware that the poverty reduction rate has have a thematic focus like food security, democracy been slowing lately and the gains made are unevenly and human rights, or health. We hope to be able to maintain or even increase our support to Uganda from distributed. Poverty remains acute and appears to be increasing in the north and east of Uganda. The Euthese thematic budget lines over the next years. ropean Union is therefore committed to continue our What is your assessment of results achieved so far? support to the Ugandan people, in cooperation with

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the Government of Uganda but also with civil society partners and the private sector. Our geographic focus will be on those areas most in need.

I always find it amazing to realize how much of a difference improved infrastructure can make for the local communities, how fast new businesses grow, how quickly -literally- development speeds up.

We can sense their empowerment when farmers tell us (during our visits) confidently about their access to better technology or their ability to research and compare prices. It is heartening to see someone without formal education write their name for the first time with immense pride, to correctly count money

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and put their small business on a better economic calculation. As long as we can see these individual gains behind the big picture, I find it most worthwhile to be here and to offer our support.

ment partners including particularly the EU Member States represented in Uganda, we agreed with the Ugandan Government on a new country programme with a revised set of priorities.

Going forward, what would you wish to see the EU do in order to offer even better support to Uganda?

Our development cooperation with Uganda is based on a long-term partnership agreed with the Government. We are just about to start a new country programme which will cover the period from 2014 to 2020.

While this is still under discussion with our constituencies in Europe, I can already inform you that our future support to Uganda will be more coherent and concentrated on a limited number of sectors; transport infrastructure, agriculture and food security as well as good governance.

Following a broad consultative process at country level with different stakeholders such as the government, civil society and the private sector and other develop-

The choice of these sectors follows an analysis of where we fit best as a development partner, in order to support Uganda’s national development planning and the

The risks of “jobless growth” and upwards spiralling prices (Dutch disease) are real and need to be mitigated. At the same time, a rapidly growing population with a large number of young people seeking economic opportunities and decent income underline the need for Uganda to realise growth in the productive sectors and to create more formal employment.

“Vision 2040” most effectively. This focus reflects the consultations I mentioned and offers continuity and long-term engagement in many areas.

Based on overall positive experience, we want to build our next country programme on strong partnerships with the government but also with the other stakeholders in the development process.

We would like to see strengthened coordination mechanisms between government, development partners and civil society in Uganda for increased aid effectiveness. On our part, the possibilities of joint programming between the EU institutions and our member states can lead to more coherence and significance in supporting the government’s development agenda.

For over a decade, the EU has offered a lot of funding to Uganda, amounts in excess of at least € 1.5billion. The EU is set to offer more funding to Uganda in the 11th EDF funding cycle of 20142020. What modifications are likely to come with this phase of funding?

We envisage a commitment from our side of up to € 578million over the next seven years. It is a significant increase from our last country programme (€460 million) and encompasses the three sectors of transport infrastructure, food security and agriculture, good governance, plus additional measures in favour of civil

society and capacity building support for the government.

The Minister of Finance, as our national authorizing officer, has a strong role in the programming and management of our bilateral aid and we want to continue strengthening particularly the capacities of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in managing and monitoring external finance for the benefit of the Ugandan people.

I am confident that our contribution to infrastructure will help spur overall economic growth over the next years. Our engagement along the agriculture value chain will help boost one of the highest potential sectors in the country and that our support to sound public financial management and good governance will help enable the Ugandan citizens to realize their full potential in an environment of social protection and political stability.

I think that our continued aid comes at a critical juncture for Uganda. The economic outlook for the East Africa region and for Uganda appears to be positive. And Uganda is now catching up with her neighbours, hopefully leaving a long history of conflict and economic disadvantage behind.

The EU has attempted to open its market to Africa through some trade agreements. However, Uganda, like many African countries, is not satisfied with these efforts thus far. In your opinion, what sort of trade-offs would you want African countries to make and what concessions is Europe willing to make so that better trade opportunities open up to African nations?

The prospect of oil and other mineral sales increases the possibility of significantly increased government revenue- with a very limited time window, emphasizing the need for wise and prudent use of these funds.

All imports to the EU from the least developed countries are duty-free and quota-free since 2001. What is lacking is an ability to effectively exploit this market opening in a competitive environment. Europe’s own export successes were often based on first succeeding

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hand, is open for processed products from Africa.

We look for balanced trade flows and the creation of sustainable jobs in Uganda and other African countries. Finally, Uganda’s partnership with Europe is rich because beyond aid and trade, we also discuss values and international commitments. As such, we act together as responsible members of the international community. on the regional European markets, and we therefore fully support Uganda’s efforts to reap the full benefits of East African economic integration.

We have therefore offered Uganda and the EAC a next generation free-trade agreement called the Economic Partnership Agreement, which would extend this duty and quota free access to the EU market to products that are originating through processing and value addition within the region. This is the best way to ensure modernisation of Africa’s economy as opposed to the colonial style export of raw commodity trade.

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The EU has had long-standing and solid relations with Uganda since independence in 1962. However, with time Uganda has also found new friends in Asia like China, India and Iran who premise their ties to Uganda on very different ground. What is your view of these new relationships and what do they mean for EU-Uganda relations?

Indeed, the Ugandan-European friendship stands on

As Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark Europe Day, what key message do you bring to Uganda and its people?

Well, Europe Day is a wonderful occasion to celebrate how Europe overcame age old differences to shape a common future and how its unification made war between its members impossible while spreading peace and prosperity globally. very firm historic foundations. But let’s also remember that the countries you mention are not new in Africa.

In general, I don’t think Uganda should have to choose among its friends.

We experienced this either/or approach as part of the ideological divisions during the Cold War. And Africa lost out in that struggle, since dictators were comfortable as long as they had a strong ally in either the West or the East. Besides, the West and the East are complementary in many ways; for instance, China is industrialising and is proving an almost insatiable market for African raw commodities. Europe, on the other

Around the world, people strive towards these values; peace, personal rights and freedoms, democratic governance, rule of law and a decent living. Nowhere, not even in Europe, can we take these values for granted. This is why we need to be reminded at least once a year that what we have is precious and should be shared with our friends.

KALIP

KALIP makes a difference in Karamoja Like huge alien insects, two gigantic yellow machines are digging a ten thousand cubic meter hole in Kaigenoi valley, Amudat. Karamojong herdsmen have gathered to watch the fulfilment of one of their greatest wishes: the delivery of a permanent water source for their cattle. The water will not only reduce the need for long treks across Karamoja and Teso in search for water and pasture, but more significantly will reduce the competition between neighbouring clans for this scarce resource, and thereby contribute to the peace and security that has been restored in this troubled region during the last five years.

Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Prime Minist er

Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, Minister for Karamoja Affairs

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communities in return for their labour to desilt dams, construct water ponds and build community feeder roads, and by constructing seven police posts and 33 production department offices in the districts and sub counties.

By the end of 2014, twenty one valley tanks will have been excavated throughout Karamoja by the Karamoja Livelihoods Programme (KALIP).

KALIP has become a household name in Karamoja for a wide range of successful interventions, not only in providing water infrastructure, but also in improving crop and livestock husbandry of over 15,000 households, building roads, stores, drying slabs and other productive structures. It has also been responsible for providing cash to

Hon. Barbra Oundo Nekesa, Minister of State for Karamoja

Established in 2010 by the Office of the Prime

Minister with a â‚Ź 15 million (UShs 50Bn) grant from the European Union, KALIP has really made a difference in Karamoja. This was confirmed by the Minister for Karamoja Affairs and First Lady, Hon Janet Kataaha Museveni, during a meeting with the recently appointed EU Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Kristian Schmidt.

Mrs. Christine Guwatudde And with less than one

Minister for Karamoja Affairs and EU Head of Operations commissioning Kaigeni valley tank in Amudat.

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Kintu, PS/OPM

Farmers making use of one of the 70 drying slabs constructed

by KALIP.

year to go, it is now possible to make up the balance sheet of this highly ambitious programme.

KALIP activities KALIP is structured along four results that mutually reinforce each other to enhance livelihoods, peace and security in the region.

Central to KALIP is the direct support to 440 agro-pastoral communities, comprising of 13,000 households, to ensure their food security and the health of their animals. The communities enrol in so-called Agro Pastoral Field Schools (APFS), where they undergo seasonlong training in crop and livestock husbandry.

The PS, OPM hands over veterinary drugs to a veterinary drug supply shop in Moroto.

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All the APFS receive inputs to experiment with, and 240 newly established APFSs received oxen to boost their ploughing capacity. Livestock health is further enhanced through the support to 400 Community Animal Health Workers (CAHW), who received training and veterinary kits. They are the ‘front-line’ animal health workers, fully embedded in the community, but who can fall back on the veterinary doctors in the district for help in more complicated livestock treatments. Ten veterinary drug supply shops have been set up to ensure reliable replenishment of veterinary drugs supplies

Kangenoi valley tank in Amudat under construction.

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Productive Infrastructure constructed by KALIP Valley tanks Dams Micro dams / ponds Sub-surface dams Rock catchments Boreholes Watering troughs Rain water jars Grain stores Drying slabs Gabions

Roads (km) # 21 3 169 9 6 14 85 83 22 70 750

A hugely popular second set of activities

by KALIP is the cashfor-work programme, implemented through three non-governmental organisations. ThouEmmanuel Iyamulemye Niyibisands of community gira, ALREP-KALIP National Programme Coordinator members were enrolled to construct roads, desilt dams, dig micro-dams/ponds, built soil conservation structures and other productive infrastructures. The cash paid out to the communities helps

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to cover immediate household needs, while some is saved through their Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) for future use.

KALIP has also increased the presence, capacity and functionality of agricultural staff. Twenty seven sub county production offices and six district offices are constructed and fully equipped with a laboratory, computers, transport, power and furniture. A regional veterinary laboratory will be completed by the end of 2014. The additional training of the staff in computer use, record keeping and technical knowledge, further enhances the

technical capacities of the staff and should help them to deliver better services to the farmers and livestock keepers.

Support to District production departments by KALIP District production offices Sub county production offices Solar power units Project Management Committees District vehicles Motorcycles GPSs and cameras Laptops

# 6 27 26 29 9 30 28 28

Refrigerator Desktops Printers Photocopiers Internet Connections Office furniture District staff trainings

7 Â 30 37 7 37 27 10

To support and enhance the security in Karamoja, KALIP constructed seven police posts in hard-toreach areas. The police posts have accommodation for nine families, power, transport and water. In addition, plans are underway to construct a fully

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fledged police station at Kangole in Napak district.

To consolidate the relationship between the police and the communities, KALIP financed the training of 337 police officers in community policing approaches and a community outreach programme is being rolled out Safety nets- Labour during 2014. intensive works

National Programme Coordinator Office of the Prime Minister Postel Building 8th Floor, P. O. Box 341, Tel: +256(0) 414 258 372 Website:opm.nulep.org

Fund Allocation in € millions Agro-pastoral production and animal health

€2.52

ALREP and KALIP are the first EU funded projects in Uganda to go Carbon Neutral

17%

€5.52 37%

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By the end of 2014 KALIP will close down. The European Union and the Government of Uganda are currently designing a follow-up programme, which will hopefully build on the successes of KALIP.

Support to local governments

€2.13 14%

Programme management

€3.49 23%

Civil society peace building fund

€1.34 9%

ALREP

ALREP improves livelihoods in Northern Uganda

In

its third year of operation, the Northern Uganda Agricultural Livelihoods Recovery Programme (ALREP) has made significant positive impacts on the lives of tens of thousands of farmers in Northern Uganda. ALREP is implemented by OPM

through a Programme Management Unit (PMU).

The programme is supervised by the Ministers of State for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Hon. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, and the Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Hon. Christine Amongin Aporu.

The â‚Ź 20 million initiative of the Government of

Uganda, funded by the European Union, is now fully rolled out. More than 50 private contractors and non-governmental organisations are delivering a wide range of infrastructures and services to the region, under the overall supervision of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

MoS NU handing over M-bikes in Gulu

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ment that maximizes government services to farmers.

capacity of 300 private agro input dealers, processors and traders through training, and by providing matching grants to improve their businesses

How is ALREP’s money spent?

ALREP’s budget of € 20 million is divided over six results. The PMU management costs constitute 19% of the budget, the remaining 81% is spent on programmatic outputs and their delivery.

ALREP also increases the availability of financial resources to rural farmers and traders. This component focuses on enhancing local saving and lending capacity within communities.

Above: FFS groundnut multiplication

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ALREP was conceived to support returnees, who had been in IDP camps during the war in Northern Uganda, in rebuilding their livelihoods. This is done through a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, by directly providing over 30,000 farmers with agricultural training and inputs.

Secondly, ALREP engages thousands of community members in labour intensive works, thereby injecting cash in the rural economy and increasing the stock of productive infrastructure at the same time. Thirdly, it increases the presence and Right: Financial literacy training

Lastly, ALREP strengthens service delivery to communities through improved capacity of the production departments for 15 districts and 100 sub counties where it operates. The programme constructs district and sub county offices destroyed during the war, offers training, equipment, furniture and transport to agricultural officers to create a conducive and professional working environ-

Fund allocation in € millions Capacity Building of Local Government Increased availability of agricultural finance

€2.00

€0.73 4%

10%

Management and operations

€3.86 19%

More efficient and transparent input and output market

€2.21 11%

Increased agricultural production and productivity

€4.69 Productive Infrastructure rebuilding

€6.51 33%

Harvesting time Since its inception in 2010, ALREP has come a long way. The design and contracting work that took most of 2011, and the roll-out of contracts in

23%

2012 have shown tangible results in 2013. With less than one year to go, the programme is well set to deliver all its planned outputs and results.

Under ALREP’s component I, FAO has trained 28,052 households in Acholi and Teso through their Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Nine hundred sixty (960) FFS completed one or two full cropping seasons, whereby new farming methods were tested and agricultural practical knowledge and techniques were imparted with the ultimate aim to boost farmer’s production, productivity and incomes. In Lango, ALREP contracted CESVI to support the commercialisation of agriculture.

Above: FFS Beneficiaries in Omot with goats Left: Commissioning a borehole in Amuru TC

CESVI mobilised 190 farmer groups with approximately 5,700 members. They have received 794 pairs of oxen under a cost-sharing scheme, and are trained in the use of secondary farm implements, crop and livestock husbandry, seed multiplication and produce trading.

Productive infrastructure delivered Fish fry centres Cattle crushes Livestock and fish markets Produce markets Produce stores Slaughter slabs Boreholes Woodlots (Acres) Community Access roads (Kms)

# 2 76 2 23 9 4 22 345 408.8

Since 2012, the Office of the Prime Minister awarded contracts to 44 private contractors to construct productive infrastructures in support of

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farming. About half of the work has been completed and the remaining part will be completed by the end of 2014.

Four implementing partners execute labour intensive work contracts in Northern Uganda.

ASB recently concluded their labour intensive work activities in Katakwi and Amuria, whereas ACTED, Association of Volunteers in International Service (AVSI) and CESVI are closing down their A community road in Akwang.

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contracts during the first half of 2014. In the last two years, many productive infrastructures, such as community access roads, water facilities, community woodlots, markets and cattle crushes, were built using community labour. The cash paid out to the members is used for immediate needs, but also to procure tools,

farm inputs and animals to enhance household incomes.

Hon. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Minister of State for Northern Uganda

To boost input and output markets, ALREP does four things through four specialised service providers. Firstly it enhances the capacity of 300 agro-input dealers with training in business management, safe use and handling

of agricultural chemicals, product knowledge and extension skills. Secondly, it established 226 Information Board Managers (IBMs) to act as Market Information Centres (MIC) to avail latest market information to rural communities. Thirdly, ALREP selected 198 processors and traders for matching grants to upgrade their stores and machinery. ALREP also developed nine modules to improve business knowledge and management of the traders and processors.

Lastly, it runs agricultural programmes on three radio stations in Northern Uganda, providing information about agricultural technologies, markets and about the ALREP activities and partners in general.

Through its partners, ALREP has established and supported thousands of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). These community based organisations generate a saving and loan system for their members, that cater for their immediate financial needs and to make long-term investments. Over 726 mature VSLAs received financial literacy training, and 220 were helped to open bank accounts. At the same time, ALREP worked with local banks to make their savings and lending policies and products favourable to small-holder farmers and their savings groups.

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Handing over IT equipment to district officials in Lango.

District production department support District PD office block District PD sub county office blocks District veterinary laboratory Weather stations Solar installations Motor cycles Computers and accessories Refrigerators Tsetse traps 22

# 6 14 1 5 44 100 69 8 1,150

Support to district local governments comprises of

office infrastructure, functionality items (computers and furniture), transport and internet connections, weather stations, and agricultural supplies. ALREP enhanced the capacity of district technical staff in planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and integrating environmental issues in programmes and projects management. Finally, districts receive support for operational and monitoring activities to assess the implementation of ALREP.

What’s next?

By the end of 2014, ALREP will expire. By then, the

small holder agricultural sector in Northern Uganda will have received a significant boost. Over 100,000 households will have been touched by ALREP, and will have made another important step towards selfsufficiency and prosperity.

Building on the successes of ALREP, the Office of the Prime Minister is consulting with the European Union to ensure continuation of support to the agricultural sector in Northern Uganda, to bring it back at par with Uganda at large.

ALREP boosts food security and incomes in Teso sub region The Northern Uganda Agricultural Livelihoods Recovery Programme (ALREP) is one of the special programmes of the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP)

funded by the European Union and implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister. ALREP covers 15 districts in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub regions. In Teso sub

region, the programme operates in Amuria and Katakwi districts.

ALREP’s objective is to enhance livelihoods and agricultural incomes of the farming population.

Hon. Christine Amongin Aporu, Minister of State for Teso Affairs

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of the work by ASB was done through Labour Intensive Works, thereby injecting cash in the local communities.

ALREP supported the production departments with computers, motorbikes, office furniture, constructed market stalls in Toroma, sub county offices in Asumuk, Wera, Ngariam and Kapujan, boreholes and cattle crushes in Ngariam, Omodoi and Magoro. ALREP also helped to establish village savings and loans associations, linking some of them to banks.

The programme will close in March 2015.

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Since its start in 2010, ALREP’s focus in Teso is on farmer training, farm input supplies, water infrastructure, roads, and support to the production departments of the Amuria and Katakwi Local Governments. Through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ALREP has supported 350 farmer field schools in Amuria and Katakwi, where over 11,000 farmers receive agricultural training, and are provided with oxen and improved seeds and farm inputs.

One of ALREP’s partners, Arbeiter Samariter Bund Deutschland (ASB), has supported communities in Amuria and Katakwi by rehabili-

Hon. Aporu commissioned 8 market shades and water harvesting facilities in Toroma Sub County in Katakwi District,

tating community access roads, desilting of 2 dams, building 51 household water storage jars, and distributing high value seeds. Most

Recently, the Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Hon. Christine Amongin Aporu commissioned a number of projects in Katakwi and Amuria.Many other projects have been completed and will be commissioned in the near future.

The total value of the thus far completed projects is UGX 456 million. During her recent visit to Teso, the Minister was visibly impressed by the achievements of ALREP. EU-Uganda Magazine caught up with her for an interview.

“The sense of ownership by the local communities will enable them to maintain and sustain the achievements when the programme ends�Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Hon. Christine Amongin Aporu Please give the current update of ALREP activities in Teso sub-region, in terms of completed and on-going projects.

In Teso, ALREP is implemented in Katakwi and Amuria where a number of activities have been rolled out, both directly by the PMU and through partners. On 26 and 27 November 2013, I commissioned Toroma market with water harvesting facilities and three cattle crushes in Ngariam, Omodoi and Magoro Sub Counties in Katakwi District. Two boreholes in Ngariam Sub County and Acowa Sub County in Amuria District, 60 rainwater jars in Amuria and Katakwi districts as well as a Goat Breeding Unit in Omodoi Sub County. And an 8.4 km Aperur Aodot-Olupe community road in Ngariam Sub County implemented in partnership with ASB. In May 2014, I will commission two sub county production offices at Asamuk and Wera sub counties in Amuria District,

three markets in Abarilela, Morungatuny and Kuju sub counties in Amuria district, six cattle crushes in Amuria district and an animal and plant diagnostic laboratory at Amuria district headquarters.

Since the inception of the Northern Uganda agricultural livelihoods programme (ALREP) in 2010, how many people have benefitted from it?

In Teso, over 8000 households have benefited from the training in Farmer Field school approach and received inputs such as seeds, oxen and ox ploughs and income generating projects. One thousand and three hundred have received cash in return for labour in cash for work activities in road rehabilitation, de-wsilting valley dams and construction of rainwater jars. Others are employed during the construction of productive infrastructure and office facilities.

What was the level of involvement of the local community in the implementation of this rehabilitation programme? How is that participa-

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tion likely to help the local community after ALREP winds up next year?

But the good news is that, there has been a lot of local consultations right from the identification of projects and through their implementation.

Communities have donated land where some community infrastructures are constructed. Project Monitoring Committees (PMCs) constituted from local communities have played a key role of monitoring and supervision of the construction of the infrastructures. Thus there is sense of ownership by the local communities and this will enable Hon. Aporu commissioning a cattle crush in Ngariam sub county Katakwi district

26

them to maintain and sustain the achievements after the programme ends.

Some of the rehabilitation activities were outsourced to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). What were the reasons behind this decision? What kind of organizations did you work with? Were they able to meet their end of the bargain?

Contracting NGOs is in line with government policy of delivering services to the people through third parties. I wish to note that NGOs implementing the ALREP projects were selected on

competitive basis and include both local and international NGOs, which met requirement of experience working in Teso region. Moreover, these organizations were already actively operating in the region using their own funds and were recommended to us by the Districts based on their track record in the area. Thus ALREP provided additional funds to roll out more activities. Secondly the NGOs were required to make their own contribution to the overall budget of the grant.

What were the major challenges of implement-

ing a programme of that magnitude in a postconflict environment?

Certainly due to the conflicts that the region experienced, there has been a higher demand for services and rehabilitation of infrastructure than our resource envelope could afford. However, we have engaged the local leadership and communities to priotize what the use of the available funds.

Government and other development partners are also supporting other interventions.

What lessons is the government of Uganda taking from the implementation of ALREP that are likely to help in future efforts to further rehabilitate Teso?

One of the lessons we have learnt from ALREP is the positive impact of the involvement of local communities has project implementation through PMCs. These PMCs who do voluntary supervision of the works contracts ensure that there is value for money. In other words, they serve as watch dogs. This involvement of communities has also instilled in the sense of ownership by the local communities.

As the EU marks the Europe Day, and as the end of ALREP draws near, what message do you have for the European Union Delegation to Uganda? And what message do you have for Ugandans regarding the country’s relations with the European Union?

On behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister and the people of Teso region, I wish

to congratulate the Head of Delegation of European Union in Uganda for reaching this milestone and to thank him for the EU support to Teso region. I wish to state that the EU-Uganda partnership through ALREP is making a significant impact especially in supporting the less privileged persons in Teso region. A number of achievements have been registered in the region, particularly in Amuria and Katakwi although a lot needs to be done. I therefore appeal to the EU Delegation to Uganda to consider

Hon. Aporu inspecting the goats that had been brought for cross breeding, in Omodoi sub county – Katakwi district.

new project funding in Teso region under the 11th EDF and to extend the support to other districts of Teso. I wish the EU member states in Uganda, happy Europe Day celebrations.

Hon. Aporu pumping water at a borehole she commissioned in Angelebwal Parish – Acowa sub county - Amuria district, funded by ALREP. Next to her is Beatrice Arach the ALREP programme cordinator

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A big thank you to the European Union

Dr. Fina Opio, Executive Director, ASARECA

On behalf of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), I wish to thank the European Union for supporting several agricultural research and development initiatives implemented through ASARECA. ASARECA brings together scientists from agricultural research institutions in 1 member countries to collaborate on research and development issues that affect their respective countries. In doing so, the scientists work with farmers, seed companies, policy makers, agro-processors, international research organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that the research addresses their needs to improve agricultural production and increase incomes. The countries are Burundi, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

A

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s a leading, committed and consistent development partner, the European Union has to date provided ASARECA funds to the tune of 33 million euro. Besides financial support, the EU continues to offer unwavering technical support through technical advice and knowledge sharing among others.

Notable results

Because of this support, ASARECA has developed and promoted several agricultural tools and practices that are suited to the needs of farmers and to the unique conditions of Eastern and Central Africa (ECA). These include, among others, disease and pest management practices, improved varieties and

seeds, livestock feed production and conservation, water management practices, soil fertility management, agronomic practices (seed selection, planting and crop management), storage, value addition and marketing techniques and agricultural policies. Over 2 million farmers in ECA have benefited from these innovations. As a member of ASARECA, Uganda has

benefited as well and I will highlight just a few: Innovations and management practices were introduced to farmers in Uganda to deal with pests and diseases such as Striga, a deadly weed that attacks cereals; the Brown Streak and Mosaic diseases of cassava; Bean Anthracnose disease; Wheat Rust and Banana bacterial Wilt diseases. In Uganda, adaptability studies confirmed that Striga resistant varieties developed in

Sudan could be grown in the country. Ugandan scientists used information resources produced through ASARECA to control the spread of cassava brown streak disease as they laboured to develop resistant clones.

Crops of high nutritive value such as orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), quality protein maize (QPM), millet and sorghum and other nutritionally enhanced

foods as well as related value addition techniques were promoted. OFSP was promoted in Gulu district, where farmers were empowered to produce and sell OFSP value added products such as juice and confectionaries. ASARECA also promoted QPM in the districts of Lira and Gulu where acute malnutrition was reported following the years of LRA insurgency.

Through improved feeding and breeding, milk yields

A farmer displays a good cassava harvest.

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more than doubled in the various project sites in the sub-region. In Uganda, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) working through ASARECA has promoted smallholder crop-livestock integration practices to improve efficiency and the quality of milk production in addition to land and water management technologies. As a result, incomes for farmers in Masaka and Ngora district have increased drastically.

Harmonized seed policy regulations for variety release, certification and plant variety protection were developed for East Africa. As a result, the production and movement of good quality seed between countries using tissue culture has been enhanced. Local seed production in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania tripled from 43,000 to about 122,000 tonnes between 2002 and 2008. In Uganda and Kenya, exports increased from less than 1,000 to more than 3,000 tonnes in the same period. Private sector involvement in variety breeding and release has increased, hence, the number of high performing seed varieties on the market have increased.

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In addition, it may now much easier for Ugandan farmers to participate in crossborder trade in potatoes and cassava, following the approval of standards for the two commodities by the East African community. This follows ASARECA ef-

Top: Food and nutrition are key in ASARECA interventions Right: Children celebrate a good banana harvest

Uganda that can be cited briefly. We welcome you to familiarise yourself with ASARECA work through our website www.asareca.org.

forts to bring together stakeholders from the East African countries to agree upon the standards.

These are just a few of the ASARECA initiatives in

On behalf of ASARECA and all Ugandans who have benefited from the EU support, I would like to wish the European Union happy Europe Day celebrations.

We pledge to continue working with you to improve livelihoods of small holder farmers in the region.

SPGS is a Uganda Government project under the Ministry of Water and Environment funded by the European Union and the Governments of Norway and Uganda.

EU Championing a successful blend of Conservation and Investment in Uganda through the SPGS Model Since 2004, Sawlog Production Grant Scheme (SPGS) has supported the establishment of at least 42,000 ha of Hon. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, Minister of Water and Environment.

standard tree plantations across the country some of which are directly visible on hillsides like after Lyantonde and before Malongo trading centre on Mbarara-Masaka road. The SPGS model is a combination of profitable investment,

Bueno Dickens Sande, SPGS Project Manager.

sustainable land management and forest conservation.

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SPGS Grant for investment and conservation framework

natural forests by providing communities with an alternative source of wood and wood products for their own use and/or sale for SPGS is a forestry incentive-based initiative by the European incomes.

Union, Governments of Norway and Uganda to support the twin objectives of conservation and investment. It is a Commercial forestry is With the grant incentive, more private tree farmers are perfect example of successful subsidy for public private not only an effective tool getting involved in commercial tree farming. It should partnership, delivering tangible sustainable land use and for rural development be noted that commercial forestry investment is world forestry conservation results. SPGS subsidizes private and climate change over supported through incentives for private farmers. sector to grow trees commercially according to agreed mitigation, but a long standards. term strategy for natural The SPGS model has changed the old mind-set in forest conservation.

Uganda that tree planting or afforestation is a responsibilThe subsidy grant is an incentive for long-term investment ity of the government. in large scale forestry plantations. Large scale plantations supported by SPGS currently are estimated at 42,000 ha. SPGS also supports small-holder communities, who have so far established Table 1: Summary of area planted with SPGS support (2005-2013) 4,968.9 ha on small scale woodlots and community planting (see Table 1 on Category of planter Phase 1 Phase 2 Total planted area) making a total of 47,076 ha. Many more Ugandans have been planted (Ha) Planted (ha) planted indirectly supported through practical training courses, publications; profes(ha) sional technical advice, regular field information exchange meetings, regional Small-Medium (25-500 ha) 10,000 21,256 31,256 tours, seminars and SPGS supported linkages with renowned scientists and Large scale (501-3000 ha) 10,851 10,851 forestry authorities.

Community and woodlots 484 4,484.9 4,968.9 Forest plantations contribute directly to the conservation of the remaining

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(0.5-25 ha) Totals (ha)

10,484

36,591.9

47,076

SPGS context for forest conservation and investment in Uganda Uganda has experienced a steady loss of forest cover for the last 100 years or more.

Among other factors, is harvesting tree products such as timber and fuel wood. The consequences of this is timber shortage and an environmental catastrophe.

By enabling various beneficiaries plant their own trees to meet their needs for forest products, this reduces pressure on natural forests. If all timber and non-timber products and services are met without degrading the forest, then the natural forest is conserved

Beneficiary and social analysis There is a range of beneficiaries from the SPGS project, including private sector institutions such as UTGA, large forestry companies as well as individual tree growers. In addition, there has been an increase in employment in the forestry sector (see graph below): -

12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 2004-2010 Employed 25% Permanent

2010 -2013 75% Temporary

(Source: SPGS)

0

Below: Timber like this requires both machines and labour to process leading employment in the industry.

Figure Diagrammatic representation of SPGS intervention framework towards conservation of forestry in Uganda.

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SPGS Commercial forestry’s contribution to the green economy Clim

ate ch and ange m ado i ptio tigatio n n

Carbon Storage

Reducing pressure on Natural Forests

Green Economy

Restoration of degraded landscapes Protecting watersheds

Fuelwood

Rural Employment Attracting investment

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Tax Revenues Poverty Eradication

l ra ru nd t t a en en m tm op es vel Inv de

Timber (Local use and regional export

SPGS- A public- Private Partnership that is achieving results for both conservation and investment

SPGS contribution to sustainable land use and conservation in Uganda

A hilly landscape before SPGS supported interventions

Increased productivity of originally unproductive land There is an overall increase in forest plantations throughout the country. With SPGS support, there has generally been an increased awareness of commercially viable investment and an alternative use for land that is not suitable for crop farming.

SPGS has played a key role through supporting restoration of previously degraded landscapes.

The same hilly landscape with SPGS interventions

If Sustainable Land Management (SLM) is “the use of land resources, including soils, water, animals and plants for the production of goods to meet changing human needs, while simultaneously ensuring the long-term productive potential of these resources and the maintenance of their environmental functions�, then SPGS has played a key role through restoration of previously degraded landscapes. The planted trees on hilly

landscapes (see landscape photos above: Ntungamo District Rwoho barehills) have additional environmental benefits such as erosion control, which is one of the most important aspects of sustainable land management. This demonstrates the critical merger of long term productivity of the ecosystem functions (land, water and biodiversity) and increasing productivity (quality, quantity and diversity) of goods and services.

To find out more about SPGS, please visit our informative (and frequently updated) website www. sawlog.ug Email us at info@sawlog.ug or visit our office on Plot 92 Luthuli Avenue, Bugolobi, Kampala, Tel: 0312 265332/3.

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EU saves 1800 Households in Kotido

A

“We had to drill boreholes to prevent communities from fetching water from the unprotected sources like wells,” he noted.

Ochien added that what has been done is to move to areas where water shortages were high and target these communities to get the new boreholes.

A housewife commended KALIP for the boreholes constructed, saying the burden of fetching water had been reduced because the borehole now lies besides her home.

Statistics show that before the introduction of the Karamoja Livelihoods Programme (KALIP), funded by the European Union and started implementation in 2010, disease attack was at its highest but it has since reduced significantly.

“We have drilled nine boreholes so far but plans are underway to have more in place,” he said. He further says they wanted to ensure that all communities get access to safe clean water.

“We used to wake up at 3.00am to travel over 15 kilometres in search of water during the dry season,” she said. “Also, on several occasions, we would share water sources with animals, an issue that is now forgotten.”

Micheal Longok, a resident of Longaro south in Kaabong district, thanked KALIP for the timely interventions in their area. “The drilling of boreholes has saved our goats from travelling long distances in search of

She said the boreholes have ended all the misery that used to be a part of thier daily lives in their families due to failure to cook, wash and have a bath among other things.

Jimmy Ochien, the KALIP Programme Coordinator said the reduction of the diseases is a result of the efforts put in place to ensure people get safe water.

36

water,” he said, adding that with the well built troughs on every borehole, animals drink water freely.

t least 1800 households in Kotiko, Sinat, Longaro South and Kapalu in Kotido and Kaabong districts are experiencing a new lease of life following the construction of boreholes. A total of nine boreholes have been drilled to serve at least 300 people per borehole.

Cows enjoy cool water at a valley dam in Kotido constructed with funding from EU

Farmer groups under the APFS now irrigate crops in Abim.

Laying a water way to a valley dam in Nakapiripirit district.

Under cash for work project, youth dig up a valley tank in Moroto.

EU donates post-harvest infrastructure in Karamoja

O

nce a cereal crop is harvested, it may have to be stored for a period of time before it can be marketed or used as feed or seed.

The length of time cereal can be safely stored will depend on the condition it was harvested and the type of storage facility being utilised.

in Kakuloi village, Rengen Sub County in Kotido district. The EU funds channeled through KALIP to Mercy Corps have allowed over 20 grain stores and 70 drying slabs to be constructed. Maria Nate said with the help of grain stores and drying slabs, she has been able to fight post harvest challenges.

explained, adding that they keep the revenue to ensure good maintenance of the slab.

However, grains binned at lower temperatures and moisture contents can be kept in storage for longer periods of time before its quality will deteriorate. The presence and build up of insects, mites, moulds and fungi, which are all affected by grain temperature and grain moisture content, will affect the grain quality and duration of grain storage.

“I used to lose a lot of food due to poor storage and drying but with the support of KALIP, losses have been reduced,” she noted.

She explains that not only have the slabs helped in keeping the food dry but it also keeps the food from getting contaminated especially with soil. A member of the user committee said the constructed grain stores are a great step in food preservation in Karamoja.

Today, this is not the case with the communities

Maria Nate said drying with slabs is now popular and in some cases they have been able to generate income by rendering drying services of cereals. “For those who are non members in case they want to dry their cereals or any type of food usually a small fee is charged,” she

She further explains that before, it was an up-hill task to keep the food dry in the wet season but currently, it takes just a few hours to have it dried up.

“We no longer make losses on the food we harvest,” he said adding that before they could leave sorghum in the fields to dry.

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EU rehabilitates and constructs rural Infrastructure in Karamoja aramoja, a less developed sub region for over four decades, had a fairly low supply of water for production infrastructures. However, with the intervention of the EU –KALIP funded project, water sources have been rehabilitated and other new ones constructed in the last six years. Construction and rehabilitation of the infrastructure was part of the wider development in the sub region.

K

desalting the valley tank to an average depth of 1.3 metres. Philip Omara one of the residents who benefits from the valley tank said the gift has put a smile on the faces of the people.

Some of the projects include,

Irrigation ponds

Valley tanks

At least a total of 44 ponds in Napak district have been completed with eight handed over to the local

“We now have water in our village throughout the dry season,” he said, adding that Karamoja is experiencing a severe drought but this not the case in Abim Sub County.

governments in Ngoleriat Sub County.

Work on Kulo-Abim valley tank in Abim Sub County, Abim district has been completed. The facility is now being used by the communities after

38

Nadunget feeder road rehabilitated by EU funding thru KALIP.

Road works in Abim, Moroto and Napak districts

Above: Water pond desilited by KALIP in Kotido thru EU funds.(1) Left: Kaigenoi valley dam in Amudat built with funding from EU.

At least 136 kilometres of distributed sections of roads have been completed in the above districts under Cash for Work Project (CFW). Soon the roads will be handed over to the local governments in this quarter.

Some of the roads that will be handed over include; Otumpili-Bithing and Gulutworo-Atunga in Abim district.

UGANDA NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY

EU Supports Northern Corridor Strengthening The European Union (EU) is funding 92 per cent of the cost of the reconstruction of Mbarara-Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna section of the Northern Corridor route. The project commences at 36km and runs up to 160 km, a total distance of 124km, under two separate contracts/lots. Lot two runs from 36km to 95km and lot three from 95km to 160km.

Completed Kampala-Northern Bypass

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The Northern Corridor route whose reconstruction has largely been funded by the EU over the past few years, forms part of the main international route connecting Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This runs from the Kenyan border via Kampala to Rwandan border, an approximate length of 650km, which is currently the country’s most important road link, both nationally and internationally.

The execution of the civil works for the two contracts/ lots is by one contractor, M/S Reynolds Construction Company Ltd at a combined cost of Euro116,

40

932,221.40. The EU is committed to paying 92 percentage of the cost, which is the equivalent of Euro107, 577,643.69 and Government of Uganda, the balance of 8 percent equivalent to Euro 9,354,577.71.

The works on both lots commenced on 03 August, 2011 and were originally scheduled to be completed on 03 August, 2014 (36 months). Owing to unforeseen underground conditions and heavy rains, the completion dates are to be extended to January 03 and February 03, 2015 respectively, for lots two and three.

First phase of Kampala Northern bypass completed.

The reconstruction works involve widening the existing road to class 1b paved road with 7m carriageway width and 1.5m paved shoulders. The pavement structure of the reconstructed road carriageway consists of 200mm of mechanically modified sub-base, 300mm of crushed stone base, 90mm of asphalt binder course and 60mm of asphalt wearing course.

The shoulders are reconstructed to a similar pavement layer structure but with the omission of the asphalt binder course which is replaced by increasing the thickness of the crushed stone base.

Completed Jinja-Bugiri road

Artistic impression of the 2nd phase of Kampala-Northern bypass.

Trucks passing through a section of the Mbarara-Ntungamo road that is under construction.

A completed section of Masaka-Mbarara road

EU responds to Uganda’s need to keep its vital roads/brigdes communications open Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) network has 510 bridges, most of which were built before 1960 and are characterised by low load carrying capacity in the face of the much bigger loads of this decade.

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UNRA’s main corridors are; Kampala - Uganda/ Kenya border (Malaba), Kampala-Masaka-MbararaKabale-Uganda/Rwanda border, Kampala-MubendeFortportal-Uganda/DRC border, Kampala-Luweero-Karuma-Gulu-Uganda/Sudan border and Karuma-Pakwach-Nebbi-Arua-Koboko-Uganda/ Sudan border. The condition of most of the bridges along this primary corridor is good. Along the secondary corridors, the conditions of most bridges are fair to good although some are very poor.

UNRA’s tertiary corridors consist of roads recently taken over from local governments and are in a bad state and need urgent attention. Their hydraulic capacity, the openings and height clearance are low. In heavy rains, the openings cannot flush all the flood water; hence, overflow the approach roads that are washed away and the bridges are damaged and need to be closed for some hours or days.

Because of age and low load carrying limitations in the face of heavier and more frequent loads they can no longer sustain heavy loads; thus, the need for reconstruction or replacement.

European Union recent support The European Union (EU) has responded to Uganda’s need to keep its vital roads communications open, that were threatened by the el-nino rains of 2007, by supporting the upgrading of the bridges at Aswa on

Gulu-Kitgum Road and Awoja along Mbale-Soroti Road.

They were advanced in age, narrow; they had become structurally weak and were overflowing during heavy rains, thus cutting communications.

With EU funding support, the new constructions are now wider at 7m for vehicular carriage way and 1.5m walk ways on either side and have much higher clearance to cope with the floods.

Aswa bridge was completed in March 2012. With Awoja completed in September 2013, the EU contributed 51.3% and Uganda 48.7%. Aswa Bridge is about 60% cost of that of Awoja; the foundations requirements were different hence the substantial costs variation margin—two sites are never alike.

The two bridges were reconstructed on completely new alignments. The new substructures, superstructures and deck were designed to accommodate better traffic carrying capacity, enhanced safety and much

bigger hydraulic capacity to accommodate floods.

The stratagem Awoja bridge lies on the corridor through Soroti used by freight transiting the Kenya, Northern Uganda, Sudan-Congo route. Its construction has relieved the Jinja corridor of congestion, saves on time by about six hours, well, over 150km distance and nearly a day of motoring. Aswa, on the other hand, is the main link between Gulu and Kitgum town in Acholi sub-region making it very important.

Benefits to UNRA Infrastructure development calls for substantial expenditures; hence, it is relieving when the EU comes on board to support UNRA activities; especially, as the people are demanding better infrastructure everywhere; the pressure to deliver is on the increase.

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UNRA’s strategic policy is to build its local capacity through training of graduates and other professionals.

With the opportunities through these projects, the skills and knowledge the engineers acquire ploughs into UNRA’s human resource capacity and helps improve the service delivery.

Bridge construction is a unique area of engineering; it requires specialised skills as each site in its own right is unique, only the superstructure can be replicated save the uniform width and walkways but the substructures are unique.

Supportive hand UNRA carries out a needs assessment annually where it comes up with a programme to replace the obsolete structures whose hydraulic and load carrying capacities no longer meet the current network needs.

Studies have been carried out on 109 bridges across the country; 68 bridges have been found to be in a

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At the closed steel truss bridges at Pakwach, Kazinga, very bad shape and their final designs are being drawn Okollo and Ssezibwa, rogue truckers overload in excess so that they are replaced. The bridges are found along of the specified height and collide with the top the entire network of Karamoja, Mbale, members of the bridge structures.

Bunyoro, West Nile, Acholi, West and South West sub-regions and Central Uganda.

With EU funding support, A freight company TransEast, has been colliding with the bridge the new constructions In need of public support at Pakwach and Okollo until are now wider at 7m for vehicular carriage way UNRA alerted the Police to step UNRA needs public support. and 1.5m walk ways on in. Pedestrians too need to know Uganda government is makeither side and have much that walkways are for their safety ing substantial investments higher clearance to cope and should use them. in public structures; UNRA, with the floods. in this financial year, is building The vandalisation of guard rails for scrap 32 bridges of which 12 have been is costly; scrap dealers need to cooperate with completed, 12 under procurement while authorities and help to arrest the practice. Amenities eight constructions are on-going. put in place to enhance functionality, safety, information need to remain in place.

Once roads are improved motorists need to desist from driving beyond the speed limits at the approaches to the bridges, ripping off the guard rails and demolishing the information signs.

Quarterly road works update At Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), we are not only passionate but also highly committed to deliver on our assignment and we are constantly repositioning ourselves both internally and within the road sub-sector environment to ensure that we meet the expectations of our stakeholders.

While implementing our mandate, we are mindful that Uganda’s Development hinges on the condition of the road network in terms of increasing competitiveness, and improv-

ing accessibility to markets and social services like education, healthcare and administrative services.

As you travel up country, you can see that a number of our roads are under construction.

A number of roads have also been completed.

Most important, you will note that our National roads are in a better condition today than they were five years ago. Below is our quarterly major road works update for the period of January-March 2014.

Ongoing major projects There are over 1,700km of major roads currently under construction. These roads include; Road Project

Km

Status

Nyakahita-Kazo (Funded by AfDB/GOU)

68

Completed in February 2014.

Kazo – Kamwenge (Funded by AfDB/GOU)

75

Completed in March 2014.

Fort Portal – Bundibugyo-Lamia (Funded by AfDB/GOU)

103

Completed in March 2014.

Malaba/ Busia – Bugiri (Funded by GOU)

82

99% of the works done and the road will be completed June 2014 45

Kampala-Entebbe Express Highway with a spur to Munyonyo (Funded by China EXIM bank/ GOU)

51

20% of the works done and the project will be completed in Dec. 2017.

Gulu-Atiak road (Funded by WB/GOU)

74

60% of the works done and the project will be completed in June 2015

Mbarara – Kikagati – Murongo Bridge (Funded by GOU)

75

75% of the works done and the project will be completed by Dec. 2014

Hoima-Kaiso-Tonya road (Funded by GOU)

92

80% of the works done and the project will be completed by Dec 2014

Vurra – Arua – Koboko – Oraba (Funded by WB/GOU)

92

60% of the works done and the project will be completed in Dec. 2014

Nakapiriprit – Moroto road (Funded by GOU)

93

30% of the works done and the project will be completed in June 2015.

Tororo- Mbale- Soroti (Funded by GOU)

152

65% of the works done and the project is expected to be completed by June 2014.

Jinja-Kamuli-Mbulamuti (Funded by GOU)

57

65% of the works done and the project will be completed in June 2014.

Mbarara-Ntungamo (Funded by EU/GOU)

59

75% of the works done and the project will be completed by Dec. 2014.

Ntungamo-Katuna Road (Funded by EU/GOU):

74

60% of the works done and the project will be completed by Dec. 2014.

Kawempe-Luwero-Kafu (Overlay) (Funded by GOU)

166

80% of the works done and the road will be completed in June 2014.

Mukono – Jinja (Funded by GOU)

52

65% of the works done and the road will be completed in June 2014.

Ishaka – Kagamba (Funded by GOU)

35

35% of the works done and the project will be completed in Dec. 2014.

Kafu-Kiryandongo (Funded by GOU)

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20% of the works done

Atiak –-Nimule (Funded by JICA/GOU)

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10% of the works done

Mbarara-Bypass (Funded by EIB/GOU)

40

10% of the works done

Kamwenge-Fort Portal (Funded by WB/GOU)

65

10% of the works done

Mpigi-Kanoni (Funded by GOU)

64

The works on this road commenced in February 2014

Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi/Kisoga-Nyenga (Funded by GOU) 74

Contractor mobilising.

Bridges

46

Awoja bridge (Funded by EU/GOU)

Completed in March 2014.

Atiak-Moyo-Afogi bridge works (Funded by GOU)

80% of bridge works done.

New Nile Bridge (Funded by JICA/GOU)

Contractor mobilising.

Total

1,723

Upcoming projects A total of 1,740km of roads are due to commence. The following roads will commence in 2014/15: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Road Name Kanoni-Ssembabule-Villa Maria (Funded by GOU) Musiita-Lumino-Busia/Majanji (Funded by GOU) Kiryandongo-Kamdini-Gulu (Funded by GOU) Pakwach-Nebbi (Funded by GOU) Kigumba-Masindi-Hoima-Bulima-Kabwoya (Funded by AfDB/GOU) Masaka-Bukakata (Funded by BADEA/OPEC) Expansion of Kampala Northern Bypass (Funded by EU/EIB/GOU) Ntungamo-Kakitumba/Mirama Hills (Funded by DFID/TMEA/ GOU) Olwiyo-Gulu-Kitgum-Musingo (Funded by GOU) Design and Build of Mubende-Kakumiro-Kibaale-Kagadi (Funded by GOU) Kyenjojo-Kabwoya (Funded by WB/GOU) Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishasha-Kambuga/Kihihi-Kanungu-Kambuga (Funded by AfDB/GOU) Kapchorwa-Suam (Funded by AfDB/GOU) Design and Build of Seeta-Namugongo-Kiira-Matugga-Wakiso/ Najjanakumbi-Busabala (Funded by GOU) Mukono-Kayunga-Njeru (Funded by GOU) Kyenjojo-Fort Portal (Funded by GOU) Ishaka-Rugazi-Katunguru (Funded by GOU) Sironko-Namusi-Muyembe (Funded by GOU) Nansana-Busunju (Funded by GOU) Mbale-Nkokonjeru (Funded by GOU) Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi/Kamonkoli (Funded by BADEA/ OPEC/GOU) Total

Km 120 104 123 50 135 41 17 37 223 107

Status Contract Awarded. Works will commence in June 2014 Contract Awarded. Works will commence in June 2014 Contract Awarded. Works will commence in May 2014 Procurement ongoing. Bids under evaluation.

Procurement ongoing. Bids under evaluation.

Procurement ongoing. Bids evaluation completed.

Procurement ongoing. Bids evaluation completed.

Procurement ongoing. Bids evaluation completed.

Three Contracts Awarded for this road. Works will commence in June 2014 Procurement ongoing. Bids under evaluation.

105 112

Procurement ongoing At project preparation

73 84

At project preparation Procuring design services

94 50 55 32 47 20 111 1,740

Procurement ongoing Procurement ongoing Procurement ongoing Procurement ongoing Procurement ongoing Procurement ongoing Procurement ongoing

UNRA CUSTOMER CARE CENTRE

In our effort to help serve our customers better and obtain feedback from all our stakeholders, we have installed a Customer care hotline and email to be able to listen to you better.

Talk to us!

031-2233111 or 041-4318111 | Email roadinfo@unra.go.ug | Website http://www.unra.go.ug

“Ours by Right”: Participation of youth in democratic governance 2011 – 2013: Supported by the European Union In July 2011, The European Union delegation to Uganda approved a project proposal by the British Council to fund a youth governance project. The project was designed and subsequently implemented by the British Council, with Uganda Youth Network as an implementing partner. The project was aimed at enabling newly elected youth councillors and CSO leaders participate meaningfully in social accountability. This would strengthen the democratic process in the project districts of Apac, Nebbi, Pallisa and Bushenyi. The project was responding to key issues that are pertinent to improving the capacity of the citizenry and the leaders to meaningfully participate in governance.

48

Florence sensitizing youth on government programs and mobilizing them for youth day celebration

successes in the four districts of implementation:

Florence in her produce store

The overall objective of the project was to contribute to strengthening accountability in Uganda through promoting and enhancing meaningful participation of youth and youth leaders in the democratic process. The main target groups were the youth councilors and leaders at district and sub-county levels and youth leaders in civil society. District political and technical leaders were equally involved in the project because of their critical role in democratic processes and control of resources at district level.

Project Success By the time of its conclusion in October 2013, Ours by Right Project had registered a number of

• 111 elected youth leaders and 148 youth civil society organisation leaders (CSOs) were able to acquire knowledge and skills to be active in raising issues of concern to the youth at both sub-county and district levels • The project created an accountability forum where youth leaders demand accountability from senior leaders. This forum enabled the youth councillors and CSO leaders to come together with the decision makers to discuss issues that affect youth; including resource allocation and service delivery. They would hold each other to account.

• It increased young people’s participation in budget and resource allocation, and in monitoring of budgets and service delivery • It has helped build a critical mass of young talented leaders with the skills and knowledge required to strengthen social accountability in Uganda • It equipped the participants with knowledge and skills to engage in income generating initiatives so as to determine their economic independence

“The benefits of this project to me are countless because other skills and knowledge got from the training will determine my tomorrow both politically and economically… I now know the power of collective lobbing and advocacy. It is now a walk over to me. Within the project time, I managed to influence budget increment for youth development at the District from UGX 3M. To UGX 5.8M this financial year 2013/2014.

I can now debate from a very informed perspective.

Before the project, I had only moved one motion in Council but immediately after the training, I have now moved four motions and the motions I moved were supported by the whole Council…. The project made me realize that I can only succeed in my political career when am economically empowered” and also when I lead by examples…. I now have five hectares of cassava because I benefited as market oriented farmer in NAADS. I also bought some cassava cutting to add on, I have two hectares of simsim and a small produce store as a beginning of my journey to realizing my goal.” Acuma Florence, Female Youth Councillor, Apac District.

The project successes can be attested to by what the participants had to say:

49

“As a result of the lobbying and Advocacy skills gained during the training - After the first training under the project, I engaged the NUSAF District Technical Officer to increase the slots of Youth benefitting from NUSAF, he did not object however, challenged me to mobilize and encourage the youth to always participate in meetings conducted to determine the beneficiaries, I then mobilized the youth sub county to sub county in pallisa district, as a result, out of the NUSAF 2 beneficiaries in the financial year 2012/13, 67% were youth compared to 20% in 2011/12.” Abbey Beru, Project Beneficiary, Pallisa District The “Ours by Right” training gave me the “extra touch” to enable my voice to be heard and I have since initiated Nebbi Youth CSOs Network where have been elected as the Secretary Board of Directors and am engaged fully in its management. Without the “Ours by Right” training, I wouldn’t have that confidence or the self-esteem to do my leadership/management work. I greatly valued the training…. it has definitely changed my life and my confidence and knowledge have grown. Ofoyrwoth Gerry, Nebbi District.

Youth Venture Capital Fund beneficiary (left) supervising

“…Unlike before the project, I am now aware of most of the laws and policies governing youth for example , The Uganda Constitution, Local Gov’t Act and the National Youth Policy …. From the training in Social Enterprise, I have managed to start up a small Poultry farm (Local breeds).

My inter-personal skills have improved .Am now a better companion at home & workplace…” Agumenaitwe Penelope Apophia, Female Youth Councillor, Kyeizooba Sub County, Bushenyi District.

Florence in her simsim garden 50

The District Leadership in the four districts were key partners in the implementation of the project and this is what they had to say had to say about OBR The youth are now serious. They are asking questions about programmes and how government operates. They also raise matters relating to youth during council meetings. They are more confident and performing very well in their roles as councillors. For example the speaker of Mitoma sub-county is a youth and he is doing very well handling council business.

He comes here to our offices to lobby for support. He is very active and his council is very happy with him” DCDO, Bushenyi District “The project has helped to reduce the habit of youth seeking hand-outs. They now want knowledge and skills. They are no longer after allowances. Now council meetings are attended very well because of the example shown by youth councillors” Speaker, Bushenyi District Local Council.

“As a district and in response to young people’s demands, we have resolved that every year, we shall identify 5 science students to be sponsored by the district. There is a Committee constituted at the district to oversee this initiative. In 2012/2013, 6 senior leavers (1 for humanity and 5 for medicine courses) were identified to benefit from the district scholarship programme......................” Onono Christopher, Pallisa District LC Vice Chairman

Thinking outside the box. Youth being challenged to be assertive as they demand for their rights knowing tht they have responsibilities too.

“This kind of sitting and discussing is very healthy for the governance of the district. It makes each of the stakeholders accountable to each other and should be encouraged.” Deputy District Chairperson, Nebbi District “.............the youth leaders of Apac should clap for themselves, it is due to their lobbying and advocacy abilities as a result of “Ours by Right project” that they managed to lobby the district and influence the allocation of more resources to youth activities and projects.......” District NAADS Coordinator Apac District

Enhancing meaningful participation of youth and youth leaders in governance and democratisation processes.

51

Action for development (Acfode)

Strengthening institutions and communities in promoting Women’ Rights in Northern Uganda and West Nile region

52

W

hile Uganda has over the years made significant strides in eliminating discrimination against women and girls at all levels because of the ratification and implementation of a number of national and international gender sensitive laws, the vice largely continues to persist in the different parts of the country.

Women’s rights violation has further been worsened by ineffective implementation and monitoring mechanisms of the existing laws and policies. Among these; the 1995 constitution, the Domestic Violence Act, the National gender policy, the Maputo Protocol, and CEDAW. On paper, laws offer maximum protection to women yet in reality they have not benefited from these policies. Men are still favored as a result of customary and traditional practices that still lag behind women’s rights hence leading to regular violation of their rights. Vast majority of women and girls particularly those in rural areas continue to be denied opportunities to participate in leadership and decision making processes, face difficulties in accessing justice due to bribery, corruption, high costs of bringing cases and lengthy legal procedures.

Women are also unable to own, inherit land and property, have limited access to community/social and

economic management opportunities, face domestic violence, land grabbing, widow inheritance, early and forced marriages, negative traditional beliefs and lack of control over their sexuality among others.

Despite the positive advances regarding women’s rights, policies need to look at the full range of women’s experiences and situations. It is therefore against this backdrop that Action for Development (ACFODE) in partnership with British Council and with the support from European Union is implementing a new project “Action for strengthening Institutions and Communities in Promoting Women’ Rights,” in Northern Uganda and West Nile regions.

In line with European Union’s overarching goal of strengthening the democratic governance of participating nations, the project aims at consolidating the participation of women in the social, economic and political life in support of a society where women and men are valued equally and have equal access to opportunities, resources and government development programs.

To effectively promote women’s rights in the four (4) districts i.e. Apac, Pader, Nebbi and Oyam, the project target group involves; district leaders, women councilors, social actors (religious leaders, cultural leaders, school teachers, and police officers), women groups and Civil Society Organizations.

The two-year project focuses on reversing the situation and increasing appreciation and recognition of women’s rights by working with women, and different stakeholders to create awareness, empower women and create opportunities for their economic, social and political development. Among the activities the project intends to conduct are; women’s rights trainings using the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) manual, leadership trainings, social enterprise trainings and capacity building for CSOs. As a result of the project interventions, there will be better understanding of women’s rights and the need to protect and promote them using the CEDAW manual, enhanced capacity to engage in gender and human rights processes as well as increased participation in livelihoods using the social enterprise approach.

The project is funded by the European Union.

Through combined efforts with different institutions and communities, social, political and economical values around women’s rights and their full equality will be upheld.

Project team: British Council: Peter Brown- Country Director Carol Nyaika- Head projects and partnerships Deborah Asikeit Tumusiime- Project Manager Emily IkirizaProject officer Peter Mbowa- Accountant ACFODE: Regina Bafaki- Exectuive Director Rebecca Akello-Project officer Joyce Nabaloga- Finance Manager

53

The Sustainable financing of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park (RMNP), Uganda Project Objectives, broad activities, project sites and target groups

W

orld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is implementing “Sustainable Financing of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park (SFRMNP) Project� in the Rwenzori landscape covering the districts of Kasese, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Kabarole. This project focuses on the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) in western Uganda, specifically the 995 km2 Rwenzori Mountains National Park (RMNP), a global biodiversity hotspot. The Rwenzori provides key ecosystem services – carbon storage, forest resources and water supplies.

54

The forest sequesters 17.6 mt of CO2 and the forest resources supply around 805,000 people living in areas adjacent to the park. Internationally the Rwenzori is renowned as a (challenging) hiking destination, although its tourism potential is yet largely unrealized.

SFRMNP aims to achieve effective conservation of the Rwenzori mountains through two key approaches: firstly through developing a sustainable financing mechanism that realizes the potential value of the natural resources and engages the private sector that currently contributes little or no funding to maintain-

ing the natural resources on which they depend, and secondly to contribute to improved incomes and poverty reduction for the poor populations in the foothills of the Rwenzori through their engagement in management of the natural resources and in receiving benefits from their effective management.

The overall objective of the action is: Biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park (RMNP) are secured and contributing significantly to local livelihoods by 2020.

Broad activities include:

Project sites The project is implemented in Western Uganda, covering the districts of Kasese, Kabarole, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo.

Activity 1

Support the development of a national level framework for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)

Activity 2

Support district Environment and Natural Resources departments in the revision of environmental ordinances and development of associated bye-laws relating to PES

Stakeholders

Activity 3

Support the RMNP Authority to conduct an economic evaluation of the park (valorization) and develop a Business Plan

Activity 4

Support the RMNP Authority in a review of the current access and benefit sharing arrangements with communities

Activity 5

Promote the role of the private sector in the RMNP Stakeholder Forum and their commitment to the sustainable financing strategy identified and agreed in the RMNP Business Plan

Activity 6

Work with Tronder Power, Hima Cement (LaFarge) and other key water users to develop PES arrangements based on Corporate Social Responsibility and supplementary water user fees

Activity 7

Develop a coordination mechanism for community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives, including a marketing strategy

Activity 8

Conduct awareness and promotion of the potential for diversification of tourism

Activity 9

Support the development of diversified community-based tourism initiatives, including marketing and linkages with the commercial tourism sector

Activity 10

Support the development of nature-based enterprises

Activity11

Develop a communication, awareness raising and coordination strategy and monitor delivery

Activity 12

Liaise with existing/ongoing initiatives in PES and sustainable financing of protected areas, sharing lessons learned and allowing for the development of synergies

The Private Sector: This includes all those that benefit from the natural resources in the project area to carry out daily business.

Community level: Village Environment Teams/ Community Environment Workers, Village Environmental Committees, women groups, youth groups District level: District Environment/Natural Resources Officers, Production Officers, environment officers, fisheries officers, Population officers.

National Level: Ministry Water and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries, NEMA, Population Secretariat, Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities among others.

Project Funders: Address European Union

The French GEF

WWF Uganda Country Office Plot 2, Sturrock Road, Kololo, Kampala | P.O.Box, 8758, Kampala Tel: +256-414-540064/5 | Fax: +256-414-531166 Email: kampala@wwfuganda.org | Twitter: @wwfuganda

55

Sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene educations: a prerequisite for post-conflict resettlement programmes says WaterAid Uganda

Access to safe water drinking water and sanitation is a human right to all and must be given priority in post conflict resettlement programmes. Photo: WaterAid/James Kiyimba

56

WaterAid, an international NGO that has been operating in Uganda since 1983, is implementing a 5-year safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme worth €2.744m targeting 110,986 direct beneficiaries in five rural post conflict districts of Masindi, Pallisa/Kibuku, Amuria, Katakwi and Napak.

The project titled “Equitable and sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene for poor communities in post-conflict areas of Uganda” commenced in 2011 and targets 21 sub counties of Bwijanga and Budongo in Masindi district; Tirinyi, Bulangira, Ogule and Gogonyo in Pallisa/Kibuku districts; Apeduru, Acowa, Asamuk, Kapelebyong, Morungatuny, Orungo and Wera in Amuria district; Katakwi, Magoro, Ngariam, Omodoi, Ongongoja and Usuk in Katakwi district; and Iriir and Lorengecorwa in Napak district.

The project goal is to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on WASH in Uganda and to the peace, recovery and development plan for the poor, marginalised and underserved communities in northeast Uganda, which

were greatly affected by more than two decades of armed conflict perpetuated by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a conflict that only ended by 2006 and the inter-tribal conflicts instigated by the Karamojong cattle rustlers.

Implementation approach To maximise the project impact and achieve sustainability, the project is implemented using the Districtwide approach (DWA), supporting decentralization efforts at district local governments’ level whilst also demonstrating best practices and technological options that require scaling up to effect the whole sector.

Under the district wide approach, WaterAid Uganda signs tripartite agreement with the local governments and the local implementing artner NGOs of s: Wera Development Agency (WEDA), Church of Uganda Teso Diocese Development Organisation (COUTEDDO), Health through Water and Sanitation (HEWASA), and Karamoja Agro-Pastoral Development Programme (KADP).

The project integrates service delivery, advocacy (at district and national levels) and capacity building. For service delivery, the project uses technologies such as borehole drilling and/or rehabilitation; rainwater harvesting at institution and household level (targeting vulnerable households such as the disabled, elderly and people infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS); and sand dam construction. Using Umoja approach – a community-led hygiene and sanitation improvement approach that builds on the strengths of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) and the Households Cluster system – communities are mobilised to accelerate community action in scaling up sanitation and hygiene improvements.

57

Summary achievements

The table below provides a summary of key achievements over the last 3 years of project implementation and the case study that follows illustrates how the project is empowering many communities in the project area to use the knowledge acquired to improve their own sanitation and hygiene conditions.

Summary of Cumulative outputs for the Pos-conflict project over the three implemented years Facilities by technology Facilities

Target over Cumulative Total HEWASA Project Lifetime Over 3 years (5 years)

COU-TEDDO

KADP

9

9

3

15

36

44

39

19

11

10

79

98

0

0

7

0

7

21

Sand Dams

0

0

1

0

1

1

Rain water harvesting jars Institutional Latrines

22

27

0

0

49

71

8

7

0

6

21

29

Number of People benefiting from Safe Water Supply 28,618

18,435

6,630

12,098

65,781

36,786

Number of People benefiting from improved Sanitation and Hygiene

30,493

14,123

60,822

203,297

74,200

New Deep Boreholes installed with Hand pumps Rehabilitation of Deep Boreholes

58

Achievement

WEDA

Ferrocement Tanks (10,000 Litres Capacity)

6

Implementing partner NGOs

97,859

Case Case Study: Study: Turning Turning the the impossible impossible into into possible possible –– TheThe Karimojong Karimojong can can change change their their hygiene hygiene andand sanitation sanitation situation situation Beliefs Beliefs and customs and customs among among the Karimojong the Karimojong

the region. the region.

Regarding Regarding sanitation, sanitation, Karamoja Karamoja Agro-Pastoral Agro-Pastoral majority of theofpeople the people of Karamoja of Karamoja Development Development Programme Programme (KADP) (KADP)majority regionregion generally generally practices practices poor poor with funding with funding support support from from sanitation sanitation and hygiene, and hygiene, as a result as a result European European UnionUnion (EU) (EU) WaterWater defecation defecation is widely is widely practiced practiced Facility Facility through through WaterAid WaterAid Uganda Ugandaopen open by majority by majority of households of households in thein the is implementing is implementing a Water, a Water, Sanitation Sanitation region.

Besides, Besides, there there was also wasthe also the and Hygiene and Hygiene (WASH) (WASH) programme programmeregion. long held long belief held belief by thebyKarimojong the Karimojong aimedaimed at improving at improving accessaccess to to community that the thatuse theofuse latrine of latrine sanitation sanitation and hygiene and hygiene for 39,000 for 39,000 community breaches the tradition the tradition of notofmixing not mixing peoplepeople in households in households in Iriiri in and Iriiri and breaches faecesfaeces with in-laws with in-laws in theinsame the same pit. pit.

Lorengechora Lorengechora sub counties sub counties in Napak in Napak Pregnant women women and children and children were were district, district, Karamoja Karamoja sub-region sub-region over aover Pregnant a also forbidden also forbidden to usetothe uselatrine the latrine periodperiod of 5 years. of 5 years. because because of theofbelief the belief that unborn that unborn The Karimojong The Karimojong are deeply are deeply rootedrooted children children wouldwould fall into fall the intopits theand pits and in their in their traditional traditional cultures cultures and their and their die. All die.these All these life-long life-long held myths, held myths, semi-seminomadic nomadic way ofway life,ofalways life, always on on beliefs, beliefs, customs customs and traditions and traditions movemove in search in search for water for water and pasture and pasture seemed seemed like an like uphill an uphill task for taskany for any for their for their animals animals a situation a situation that that development development partner partner to change to change in in leads leads to inter to inter clan conflicts clan conflicts withinwithin the mindsets the mindsets of local of people. local people.

Karamajong Karamajong elders have elders become have champions become champions of sanitation of sanitation and hygiene and practices hygiene practices in their in their communities. communities.

Photo: WaterAid/KADP/Stephen Photo: WaterAid/KADP/Stephen Abura Abura

59

Action by KADP: To bring about improved sanitation and hygiene practices in Napak district, WaterAid Uganda started by enhancing the capacity of KADP the local implementing partner NGO staff to use participatory approaches for hygiene promotion such as Umoja approach( a community led sanitation and hygiene approach). This led to triggering of communities on community led total sanitation (CLTS) and thereafter clustering of homesteads in each village into groups of ten households to jointly work together to improve their sanitation and hygiene conditions.

KADP started implementation by entering into strategic partnership with the local government leadership, both at district and sub county level, in order to take full advantage of their technical expertise such as district department of health, community development, water, environment and education. KADP also made use of existing formal structures e.g. the Village Health Teams (VHTs), local councils ones (LC1s) and informal structures like Karimojong elders and opinion leaders who make and manage traditional laws and ensure they are strictly followed.

As part of Umoja approach, KADP established structures within the communities such as hygiene educators at village level, cluster heads that manage clusters of homes (5-15 households) within a village and hygiene sub committees to take a lead role in all aspects of project implementation. Mobilization was conducted by KADP staff who emphasized 60

8

regular feedback and reporting on progress by the community structures. This contributed to empowerment of the leadership at village level to stir and own the development process in their communities and also ensure sustainability of the project.

This was followed by hands-on training for the cluster heads and hygiene educators conducted by KADP staff while the sub county leadership helped to build Synergies and this enabled us to achieve rapid results. Communities were taken through real practical sessions such as conducting demonstrations on how to construct latrines and hand washing facilities because people learn more when they physically see and hear from their own community leaders (such as the cluster heads, hygiene educators , opinion leaders and elders).

Regular participatory monitoring and provision of immediate feedback by KADP,district and sub county local staff helped to fix some of the loopholes in the progress of work on the ground. The clustering of 5-15 households in each cluster encouraged competitions between clusters; every healthy household striving to be the best. The clustering approach also enabled the disabled and vulnerable members of the community (such as the elderly) to be helped to construct latrines. The receptive attitude of the targeted communities provided a spring-board for the attainment of Open Defecation Free status (ODF).

The impact and results After one year of active work in communities, 1,007 new latrines were constructed contributing to the increased number of latrine coverage in Napak district from 18.2% to 22% . Seven out of the sixteen-targeted communities (villages) with EU-funding have been declared open defecation free by Napak district local government. These seven communities include Rapada, Nakwakwa, Katulatiang, Kochito, Kaurikiakine, Naloret, and Kokipurat.

The open free defecation villages have become a centre of excellence and have attracted government to learn how they attained open defecation free-status in such a short time period of one year.

Evidence of this is that, in 2013, Napak district local government celebrated the World Water in Lorengechora because of this great achievement and impact.

In 2013, there was an out-break of Hepatitis E in Napak District. Of the cases referred to the main Hospital of Matany, there was none from the KADP targeted communities. This is for the simple fact that Hepatitis E causal organism (Virus) is transmitted in human faeces and it is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. And yet the communities that have had KADP’s interventions had latrines and were no longer practicing open defecation.

Lessons learnt /how we managed the process •The capacity of staff who are the project implementers should be built to enable them acquire the right skills and knowledge to deliver on projects effectively.

•Coordination and collaboration with the district line departments and sub counties leadership provided a fertile ground for success and future sustainability •The use of local leadership/community leaders provided social acceptability of the project by the community.

•Empowering communities through creation of structures within the community to take lead role in all aspects in the project implementation can yield rapid results and sustain projects •The District WASH sector coordination meetings are very important in mapping out areas of operation to avoid duplication and wastage of resources.

Challenges

Conclusion and Recommendation

•The onset of implementation problems emerged when Moroto – Soroti road was severely damaged by floods. The access road from Iriiri to the project site was completely damaged. This became a hard-to-reach area and therefore required strong commitment from KADP staff as well as strong cars.

The misconception has been demystified with the reality of change in the life of the Karimojong in Iriiri and Lorengechora sub counties in Napak district. The world has become dynamic to the extent that no one wants, including Karimojongs, to be left behind in all aspects of development. This case of the ODF villages in Karamoja is a sign that the negative traditional beliefs can be transformed to promote development in the region. The Karimojong can also do what people in other parts of Uganda do. Therefore, the Karimojong can change! I wish to make the following recommendations.

•Too much enthusiasm from the neighboring communities who also needed assistance from KADP amidst a fixed and tight budget; however, some of them were able to adopt the project.

•Differences in the implementation modalities where some partners give handouts such as construction of latrines in “Manyattas”’, which sometimes make the target beneficiaries to challenge KADP staff on the same.

•The nature of our soil textures especially in the targeted areas affected the implementation of some facilities such as construction of pit latrine because either they are rocky or loose (collapsing).

•There is need to consolidate the success stories/achievements. Therefore we appeal to the donors and other well wishers to support KADP to consolidate on this achievement.

•There is also need for up scaling and expanding to other new areas to respond to the demand generated by other communities. This also needs additional resources to be able to accomplish.

•There are opportunities to link sanitation to energy production through generation of bio-gas, as the number of pit latrines increases.

For more information contact: WaterAid Uganda, Plot 90, Luthuli Avenue, Bugolobi

P.O. Box 11759, Kampala Tel: +256 - 414 - 505795/ 7 Email: wauganda@wateraid.org Website: www.wateraid.org/uganda

61

BUILD PROJECT TRANSFORMS LIVES IN NORTHERN UGANDA BUILD has been expected to ensure: 1) Increased income resulting from the involvement in Labour Intensive Work and increased saving and investment in income generating activities; 2) that farming communities’ post-harvest losses reduced by 30% by the end of the action; 3) that targeted communities have adequate, protected and accessible water for production; 4) that essential livestock health and management infrastructure are fully functional; and 5) Community transport infrastructures are operational.

Over the last two years, BUILD has implemented interventions like construction of access roads using cash for work methodology, building of valley dams, provision of carts, and building of cattle crushes as a means towards improving the lives of the people.

B

uilding Infrastructures and Livelihoods for Development” (BUILD) is a 2 years project and amongst those implemented according to AVSI’s method of work. It is implemented by AVSI Foundation, in partnership with CARITAS GULU, in 12 Sub Counties in Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader and Agago districts. Its purpose is to rebuild productive infrastructures in support of farming, while increasing farmers’ access to funds and production, enhancing tools and technologies. Within the PRDP and the NDP framework; and it aims to contribute to the overall objective of ALREP: to support the war affected population of northern Uganda to engage in productive and profitable agricultural and agribusiness activities that ensure food security and increased household income.

62

Seven kilometersof community access roads were constructed in each of the twelve sub-counties in Lamwo, Kitgum, Pader and Agago districts. These access roads are meant to link the farmers to either the trading centers or in some cases, health centers. And because the

construction is on cash-for-work basis, to provide those involved in the cash-forwork project incomes with which some of them could start village savings and loans associations. Many later borrow money from these associations to start up small businesses.

Valley dams were constructed in each of the four districts augmented with the provision of treadlepumps to farmers so that they can pump water from the dams to their gardens. This would make it easier to carry out all year round farming.

600 carts - 30 per sub-county – were provided for farmers to transport produce from farmers’ homes to the trading centers.

24 cattle crushes where livestock are to be taken for vaccination against diseases were constructed.

In March 2014, BUILD will organizetrade fairs in all the sub-counties and train the communities on how to write business proposals, keep records, customercareand saving.

Summary of all infrastructures and activities under BUILD project per Sub County in Kitgum and Lamwo s/ no

Subcounty

Market stall

Cattle crush

store

Carts [human traction]

Carts [animal traction]

VSLA/ BST trainings

Treadle pumps

Protected springs

Valley dams

Granaries

Roads

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

lm

p

Trade fair

lm

p

lm

2

1

1

Akwang

0

0

2

2

1

1

22

22

3

3

2

2

1

0

0

0

1

0

10

0

7km

2

Layamo

1

1

2

2

0

0

22

22

3

3

2

2

1

0

0

0

1

0

10

0

7km

8km

2

1

3

Amida

1

1

2

2

1

1

22

22

3

3

2

2

1

0

1

0

0

0

10

0

7km

6.1km

2

1

4

Paloga

0

0

2

2

1

1

22

22

3

3

2

2

1

0

0

0

1

0

10

0

7km

2

1

5

Madi opei

1

1

2

2

0

0

22

22

3

3

2

2

1

0

0

0

1

0

10

0

7km

2

1

6

Agoro

1

1

2

2

1

1

22

22

3

3

2

2

1

0

0

0

0

0

10

0

14km

2

1

Total

4

4

12

12

4

4

132

132

18

18

12

12

6

0

1

0

4

0

60

0

12

6

NB: For protected spring for Lamwo District is also one but which sub county to take is not yet assessed.

TESTIMONIES BY SOME OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROJECT “During the construction of the road, people from far and wide gather in the same area. As they work, they also engage in small talks about the challenges they face. The listening party might offers solutions, which could see to the cultivation of long term friendships,” says Mr. George Oketta-Yot, a senior citizen in Akwang sub-county, Kitgum District.

“The cash for work policy meant we were paid whenever we participated in the construction of community access roads. I saved some of my earnings with a village savings and loans association, which later loaned me Shs50, 000, which I used to start a tomato business,” says Ms Pascal Aduwa, a farmer in Madi Opei sub-county in Lamwo District. Ms Aduwa borrowed Shs50, 000, which she has since repaid. Her business is booming. She makes a profit of Shs18, 000 weekly. She can now afford to spoil her children with clothes as well as to pay the Parents Teachers Association Shs10, 000 annual fee

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Ms. Margaret Achola at the Madi Opei subcounty stalls in Kitgum

My primary objective is to improve and enhance the visibility of EU to Uganda- Gyezaho Emmanuel Davies Gyezaho is the new Press and Information Officer for the Delegation of the EU to Uganda. He took over office in April 2014 This is your first interview as spokesperson of the European Union Delegation to Uganda.

Please briefly tell us about yourself and this opportunity that you have got to serve as spokesperson for the EU Delegation in Uganda.

I have been a journalist for 10 years; reporting politics and the economy, covering elections at home and abroad, and investigating policies and people in power. My stories have been published over a broad spectrum of news outlets in Uganda, the East African region and internationally. It is a privilege and honour to serve the Delegation of the European Union to Uganda as Press and Information Officer.

Please give some detail on what unique professional experiences and attributes you bring to your new role at the EU Delegation in Uganda.

64

I join the Delegation with a wealth and breadth of experience in communications and media rela-

tions. I have researched, published and consulted for leading civil society agencies and development organisations in Uganda including UNFPA, MIFUMI and the MasterCard Foundation. I have helped produce documentaries for leading international media including Aljazeera, Channel 24, and Insight TV. I bring print and broadcast experience to press and information management and come with a good network of sources in the region and beyond.

The role of the information office at the EU Delegation in Uganda has largely involved reacting to information in the public domain about the EU. And yet the EU does a lot of work in nearly all parts of the country. Is there a plan to become more proactive than reactive in the dissemination of information so that the contribution of the EU to Uganda’s development becomes more visible?

My primary objective as Press and Information Officer is to improve and enhance the visibility of the Delegation of the EU to Uganda. It involves providing a strong link for information and knowledge flow between our various audiencesinternally at the Delegation and externally to the public, in a timely and efficient manner. You are very right, our foot print in Uganda is much deeper than what has been publicly acclaimed. But that should not be a cause for worry. I strongly believe that our work really speaks for itself. We remain a committed partner to Uganda and enjoy a very

sectors in Uganda. From time to time, we do have healthy relationship with the government and the missions where our staff, at all levels, go out to people of this beautiful country. Public diplomacy has been (and remains) a critical driver of the EU’s engage, connect and interact with various stakeholders including the general public. There are no development cooperation and partnership with plans to stop this and you can be rest assured that Uganda. I am building on the positive blocks left we will continue to provide avenues and platforms behind by my predecessor Mr Simon Kasyate, for continued engagement. whose commendable work has provided good foundation for this What is your final message to new journey. You can expect our readers?

I would like to thank all our more engagement via new I would like to thank all our partners who have helped media platforms on build healthy and strong social media and the partners who have helped EU-Uganda relations. web. I look forward build healthy and strong On my part, I remain to working with colEU-Uganda relations. On my committed to serving leagues in the media part, I remain committed to you professionally and industry who can serving you professionally and diligently. The Press and expect absolute comdiligently.

Information Office remains mitment on my part. I open and at your disposal for remain at their disposal any communication need you for any information about may have regarding EU Delegation the Delegation’s plans, activities activities and programmes. and programmes.

Specifically, with regard to interaction between the top officials in the EU office with not just the media, but also with the general public, is your office working on plans to help those officials reach out more to the communities so that they engage with the people and appreciate the cultural differences between Uganda and Europe?

Our work covers a broad spectrum of issues and

Feel free to send me an email via EmmanuelDavies.Gyezaho@eeas.europa.eu, or give me a ring on +256 312-701035 or Mobile +256756719882/+256 712216734. Thank you.

65

Ministry of Water and Environment Climate Change Unit (CCU)

European Union

Food and Agriculture Organisation

Overview of Climate Change Unit, Ministry of Water and Environment CCU/MWE

T

he Climate Change Unit (CCU) was created in the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) in 2008 with the support of the Royal Danish Embassy, Kampala. In 2009, Cabinet under Minute No. 241 (CT 2009) approved the formal establishment of a Climate Change Unit under the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment.

66

A Statutory Order on Climate Change was drafted for a Parliamentary Resolution in order to fast track the domestication of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol (KP), as well as establishing the legal institu-

tional Framework to coordinate their implementation.

The UNFCCC and KP provide an international framework for mitigating causes of climate change and its effects at both international and national levels. Indeed it commits countries to integrate climate change issues in the national planning processes as well as sub-regional and/ or regional programmes.

The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 with an ultimate objective of “stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate

system.

The Kyoto Protocol to the Convention was adopted in 1997 to strengthen commitments of developed country Parties (Annex 1 Parties) to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% on average below the 1990 level, by the year 2012 (end of first commitment period).

For purposes of joining in the global efforts to combat climate change, Uganda ratified the UNFCCC in September 1993 and acceded to its Kyoto Protocol in March 2002.

Objective: The main objective for the establishment of the

CCU is to strengthen Uganda’s implementation of the UNFCCC and its KP. In order to meet the objective of the CCU with support from EU under the GCCA project the ministry of water and environment is implementing a project: Global Climate Change

Alliance: Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change in Uganda, funded by European Union, with UNFAO as the implementing agency.

With this support:

• Conducive environment is established for CC policy implementation and monitoring • CCU expected outcomes are achieved as identified in it’s mandate and by UNCC Policy and it’s implementation strategy

• CCU is facilitated to execute its institutional role

Results/Output of the project so far.

CCU is facilitated to execute its institutional role Results / Outputs CCU 5 years strategy, yearly work-plan and related Monitoring and operational framework established CCU Mgt structure reformed and operationalised CCU staff capacity is strengthened CCU Resource Centre and new office facility is constructed and fully functional

Status of implementation 100% achieved. Documents finalized.

70% achieved. Fund-streams Task Force system established, being rolled out.

10% achieved. Funds secured for the development of CD plan and it’s partial implementation 70% achieved. Construction on-going expected time of completion September 2014

Source of funds European Commission/FAO through attachment of Technical Assistant EC/FAO through the secondment of TA GoU EC/FAO GoU EC/FAO GoU

Conducive environment is established for CC policy implementation and monitoring Results / Outputs Key stakeholders (Ministerial Committees, Local Governments, central Government and non-government stakeholders) are informed/ knowledgeable about CCU mandate and actions plans and fully acquainted of their role vis-à-vis CC Policy Implementation Focal Points are established and assisted in relevant institutions and local district government Relevant sector policies, strategies and programmes are CC mainstreamed (sensitive)

Status of implementation 10% achieved.

- Funds secured to raise awareness in 20 DLGs, 3 relevant Ministries (MoDLG, MoF, MWE) and relevant committees

Source of funds EC/FAO

20% achieved.

No funds

20% achieved.

NDPII being CC mainstreamed, Identification of ALL relevant documents on going funds secured to mainstream CC into 3 key sector documents

EC/FAO GoU

67

CCU expected outcomes are achieved as identified in it’s mandate and by Uganda National Climate Change Policy (UNCCP) and it’s implementation strategy Results / Outputs Climate Change (CC) related meetings and event, at International (COP), national ,regional and district levels are supported and, if needed/requested, organized and chaired Awareness on Climate Change enhanced in Government Institutions as mentioned in CCP Local District Governments and Civil Societies Uganda’s Communities at large

Status of implementation 70% achieved (yearly renewable achievement).

- Delegates for COP 20 intersectional meetings (Bonn March and June) sponsored.

- Preparation of COP 20 delegation on-going 10% achieved.

- Funds secured to raise awareness in 20 DLGs, 3 relevant Ministries (MoDLG, MoF, MWE) and relevant committees

Results / Outputs CC Budgeting, accounting and work-planning is factored in relevant sectors and is harmonized

EC/FAO

Status of implementation 25% achieved.

- Mainstreaming guidelines finalized and to be launched by end of May 2014.

- Funds secured to support Energy Sector Overall CC performance measurement framework is developed 10% achieved. and implemented - Funds secured to implement overall PMF and deploy a sector PMF (Energy Sector) Climate Change research activities identified and needs for Not started. development measured; baseline for technology transfer conducted

Source of funds ADETEF JWESSP GoU

Results / Outputs CC issues are addressed and monitored in a coordinated manner

Source of funds GoU EC/FAO GiZ

Effective information clearing house service to/for all stakeholders is provided

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Source of funds JWESSP – JPF GoU

Status of implementation 15% achieved - Coordination Committees supported and chaired (CCPC).

- Fund raising for a comprehensive IMS on-going (advanced stage) - CC Actor Landscape under review 15% achieved - Resource centre under construction (completion date Sept. 2014) - GHG inventory system under development - Key institutions for provision of I&K material identified.

- Collaboration agreement established with Universita’ of Salerno

ADETEF GoU EC/FAO No funds available

UNDP EC/FAO

Publisher’s notes

I welcome Ambassador, Kristian Schmidt and Press and Information Officer of the Delegation of the European Union to Uganda, Emmanuel Davies Gyezaho; I am grateful for their contribution to the success of this year’s EU – Uganda Magazine. We look forward to many years of working with you both.

T

he EU has funded a number of projects in Uganda especially in the war torn areas in Northern Uganda and Karamoja, for which Ugandans are grateful hence our contribution by producing this magazine nine years on. It is encouraging that this publication is reaching numerous people.

people in the different parts of the country.

It has uplifted the lives of many people of Karamoja through KALIP and those of northern Uganda formerly living in camps through ALREP.

The EU has played a great role in conserving the natural forestry through SPGS; it has Justin K Ojangole facilitated a massive distribuI would confidently say that a Publisher tion of tree seedling to both the fairly big number portion of the popuprivate sector and individuals tree growers. lation now follow, are informed and appreciate the work, significance and workings of the Some projects have to come to an end, like the EU in Uganda; its funding and other contribuDemocratic Governance and Accountability tions have improved the livelihoods of so many

(DGA) programme and Economic Partnership Agreement Related Trade and Private Sector Support (EPA TAPPS) and by the time they ended, they had made a great impact.

The EU has funded the construction of roads in Uganda through the Uganda Road Fund (URF) and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA); with the improvement of roads infrastructure in the country, the economy’s future looks bright.

I am grateful to all who contributed to the success of this issue.

Justin K Ojangole, Publisher

A

REYNOLDS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (NIG) LTD

RCC wishes the EU Head of Delegation & the European Union Member states in Ugnada a Happy Europe Day

We take Pride in being a partner in the Roads Development Programs Financed by the European Union Road Projects Financed by the EU and constructed by RCC: • Kagamba-Rukungiri (35 km) - completed • Jinja-Bugiri (83 km) - completed • Masaka-Mbarara , Masaka-Kyotera (154.5 km) - ongoing • Mbarara-Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna Lot 2 and Lot 3 (124 km)

Plot 88 Luthuli Avenue, Bugolobi, P.O Box 11713 Kampala, Uganda Tel: 0312-500 500, Fax: 0414-234 362 Email: sbi@sbi.co.ug, Website: www.sbi.co.ug