Wednesday 15 September 2021

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

On Wednesday 15th September 2021, the Government of Uganda launched the 2021-2025 Roadmap for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Uganda at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, in conjunction with the United Nations Uganda, UNDP, European Union, German Cooperation and GIZ. Implementation will cost 13 Trillion UgX. The Prime Minister of Uganda, Hon. Robinah Nabanjja said, "As Government, we have broken the 17 SDG goals into workable actions with the sole purpose of taking our people out of poverty..." The SDGs have been translated into 12 main languages of Uganda including Lugbara which featured on the banners behind the front speakers. Gertrude Rose Gamwera, the Secretary General of Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) said, "Local Government are the right hand of Government in any programme implementation so their representation in accelerating the SDG agenda is key..." Local Governments and leaders need to prepare for the localisation of SDGs.

Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative - a Nigerian who spoke fondly of Uganda as her "home", retorted that this roadmap will effect Uganda's socio-economic transformation.

SDGs also known as Global Goals, were adopted by all 192 United Nations member states in September 2015, while Uganda held the UN presidency, as a universal call of action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Through the pledge to Leave No One Behind, countries have committed to fast-track progress to bring their communities to several life-changing zeros including zero poverty, hunger, AIDS plus discrimination against women and girls. Everyone has a role to play in achieving these ambitious targets.

Also launched was the SDG Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister, whose Head is Dr. Albert Byamugisha. Their offices are at the Post Office Building in Kampala.

The Minister for General Duties, Justine Kasule Lumumba while giving her presentation commented that the new roadmap designed after the previous one launched by Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda (2018) expired in 2020 "aligned to the 3rd National Development Plan" (NDP III) or Government's Vision 2040 by over 90 percent. Uganda tries to stay on track by using the Parish Development Model (Lowest Economic Planning Unit of Uganda) backed by the Local Government Act which makes government more responsive and accountable to people plus generates data for planning while making the country better for all humanity including expatriates, tourists and refugees. In terms of performance, "Uganda was the 18th out of 52 countries on the African continent..." 

The 17 SDGs [in Lugbara (Translate)]:

1. No Poverty [Ovuzu Alio kokoru/ (Alio yo)]

2. Zero Hunger ['Bani Ovuzu Abiri kokoru/ (Abiri toko)]

3. Good Health and Well-being [Ovuzu Rua Alaru beri pi Geri onyiru/ (Alata Muke)]

4. Quality Education [Onita Onyiruri isuzu/ (Imbata Onyiru)]

5. Gender Equality ['Ba dria ni Ovuzu trotro e'yo 'yeza ndundu 'diyi ma alea/ (Agupi oku be Trotro)]

6. Clean Water and Sanitation [Yi Alaruri pi Alata 'baza angu ama ageyia ri ma alea ri pie/ (Yi Ala azini Alata 'baza)]

7. Affordable and Clean Energy [Okpo ndundu 'bani eco ayu azi 'yezu Aje nyapi were 'diyi/ (Okpo 'Bani eco jera azini Ondikokoru)]

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth [(Azi Ala azini Jeba ma Zota)]

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure [(Okalamvu, Akiri azini Afa 'bani si ri)]

10. Reduced Inequalities [E'yo 'yezu opendu siri ma Omgbo omvizu/ (Trotroako Isizaru)]

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities [Pari Aku amborua 'diyi azini 'Ba ongulumua 'diyi be/ (Aku ambo azini Enyati 'Bani eco tambara)]

12. Responsible Consumption and Production [Geri kililiru E'yo 'yezu 'diyi Afa 'bani ede 'diyi ma ayuta pie dria/ (Nyaza azini Ofuza Kililiru)]

13. Life below Water [(Idri Yi iti-a)]

14. Climate Action [('Yeta Angu mile ni)]

15. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions [(Asindriza, E'yo liza azini Otita kongolo)]

16. Life on Land [(Idri Nyaku dria)]

17. Partnerships for the Goals [(Tiicima Golo ni)]



Thursday 16 May 2013

Departmental Heads and their Contacts

[S/NO. NAME, Title, DEPARTMENT, CONTACT NUMBER]

1. SAM. V. OGENRWOTH, CAO, CAO’S OFFICE, 0782674511

2. KISIMBE GRACE, Deputy CAO, CAO’S OFFICE, 0772387960

3. MONICA EDEMACHU EJUA, ACAO, CAO’S OFFICE, 0772515561

4. SHAPHAN ANDEKU, District Planner, DPU, 0772394429

5. ACHAN STELLA, DPO, DPU, 0782569470

6. ENIMA CHRISTOPHER, DFO, FISHERIES, 0772614836

7. TABU SABO NANCY, DLO, LANDS, 0779574999

8. ADIRIBO EDISON, DFO, FORESTRY, 0772567190

9. AZIKU GAD, DSS, SURVEYS, 0752623423

10. MEGWE JANE, A.D.I.O, INFORMATION, 0772909486

11. AMAYO JINO, CFO, FINANCE, 0772516233

12. ANDAMA STEPHEN, SPO, PERSONNEL, 0752994875

13. TOLEA FRANCO, CDO, COMMUNITY DEV., 0782702855

14. ENG. PARIO LAWRENCE, Exec. Engineer, ENGINNEERING, 0772513927

15. DR. ANGUZU PATRICK, DHO, HEALTH, 0772696200

16. CAROLINE ARUBAKU, DAO, AGRIC., 0772694403

17. JIMMY BAMURU, DPC, PRODUCTION, 0772288179

18. OLERU JEMA, DNC, NAADS, 0777458666

19. DR. TOA GORDON V., DVO, VETERINARY, 0772636778

20. OGWANG CYPRIAN, DCO, COMMERCIAL, 0772474948

21. OBOKO AYIGA E., DMO, MARKETING, 0712292025

22. DRAVU RONALD, HIA, AUDIT, 0772516222

23. ANGUYO RICHARD, SPO, PROCUREMENT, 0775993652

24. TEMBO N., DEO, EDUCATION, 0772837510

25. ALBERT ORIJABO, DWO, WATER, 0772358967

26. CANDIRU JOSEPHINE, Ag. Labour Officer, COMMUNITY DEV., 0775624648

27. OBITRE STEPHEN, Ag. DWO, WATER, 0772666800

28. SR. J.N. ACIRO MUNDUGA, DFP, HEALTH, 0772515712

29. ANDIANDU JOAKIM, D. Env. Officer, ENVIRONMENT, 0774926267

30. MWAYITA BRUNO, Deputy CAO, CAO’S OFFICE, 0782487040

31. EZATI BITO FRAFRA, Sports Officer, EDUCATION, 0777711719

32. RONALD OCAATRE, Health Educator, HEALTH, 0772515112

33. ONAMA KALISTO, Health Inspector, HEALTH, 0755633661

34. CEMA PHILLIAM, Dist. Entomologist, PROD, 0772312698

35. PALWAK ROMEO, Land Officer, LANDS, 0772357871

36. INZIKURU TEDDY, Prob./Welfare O, COMMUNITY DEV., 0752612550

37. ANGUZU ROBERT BEST, Physical Planner, 0752654903

38. ABIRU LYDIA, Personnel Officer, PERSONNEL, 0772501928

39. ABAMILE ANSON DRAKU, Eng. Assistant, ENGINEERING, 0772612844

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Arua Survey of MDGs

Below is the Arua District Report on the Survey for establishing the level of Awareness and Knowledge on Millenium Development Goals. ACTIVITY AREAS (Sub-Counties) included: Oluko, Oli Division, Ajia, Ogoko, Rhino Camp and Rigbo targeting 10 - 15 Community Members in each Sub County. The date was 20th April 2009.

Q1. People’s understanding of development was basically change for better economically, socially, politically, infrastructural development and reduction of illiteracy. Others looked at development as having more or increment in all aspects. A small thing multiplies to create much.

Q2. Activities mentioned by communities as items to foster development were mainly:-
(a)
- Construction of Classrooms in schools & building of teachers' Houses
- Opening of Community Access Roads
- Health Centres
- NAADS Programme
- GTZ Programmes in Rigbo & Rhino Camp
- Hygiene and Sanitation Programmes

(b). These activities were tagged to development for the following reasons.
School classroom construction was seen as a useful tool that solved the problem of inadequate classrooms hence providing comfortable learning conditions that can enable the future leaders' generation acquire knowledge and skills for better livelihood. All the communities interviewed showed that education is the key to success.

- Community Access Roads were looked at as items that make communication easy.

- Farmers who produce in bulk can easily be accessed; the road network connects villages for easy transportation of people goods and services.

- Health centres were looked at as centres for repairing health such that people have better health hence adequate time for development issues and poverty eradication.

- Hygiene and sanitation programmes in Rigbo and Ogoko were said to ensure better health and avoidance of common intestinal worms and infections like cholera and meningitis.

- The communities looked at NAADS as a venture to eradicate Poverty through training of farmers on Garden preparation, crop planting, weeding, harvesting and post harvest handling and group marketing.

Communities also termed NAADS as promoter of improved technology, supplier of improved seedlings and animal husbandry.

- In Sub Counties of Rigbo and Rhino Camp, GTZ was accorded as a supplier of high breed goats and seedlings. A store for farmers’ produce was also built at Rigbo Sub County headquarters by GTZ for safe storage and bulk/group marketing.

Farmers mentioned that most development activities were done to improve communication, health, education level and reduction of poverty.

Majority of community members are aware of development programmes in their jurisdictions and they tag these activities to development.

Q3. Few people have heard about Millennium Development Goals and the few who have heard do not entirely know what the MDGs is all about.

Out of the six Sub Counties visited, In Ogoko a young man gave a rough idea on the MDGs. In Rigbo out of the 10 people in the focus group three had fair ideas on MDGs. In the remaining four sub counties of Oluko, Oli Division, Ajia & Rhino Camp the communities knew nothing and had never heard of Millennium Development Goals.

The MDG goals were explained to the interviewees and when asked if there will be development in their jurisdictions if the goals are achieved.

A general consensus was reached, and all persons interviewed looked at poverty, environment, health & education as the stumbling blocks to development, once realized can lead to livelihood improvement, socially, economically, emotionally, politically and in all other aspects.

On how best awareness can be created on the MDGs, the suggestions were:-

- Through massive sensitization of communities during church services, evening gatherings market days and any vital public gathering

- Intentional move to get Trainer of Trainers (TOT’s) to spread the gospel of MDGs

- Need to train key stakeholders, Sub county Leadership, parish level leaders, LC 1s Religious and opinion leaders was emphasized for easy spread and knowledge of communities on the MDGs.

- At Sub County, parish level meetings are to be conducted for that purpose.
- Introduce it as a subject/teach MDGs in schools mostly from upper primary.

About the role of community in MDGs the following was mentioned.

- In general members who attended the focus group discussions looked at themselves as persons who could take the lead in spreading the MDGs.

- Parents agreed to take Universal Primary Education serious.

- Husbands confessed their lack of cooperation to their expectant mothers and promised to change if health and livelihood is to improve for mothers and infants.

- Hardwork, personal effort to eradication of poverty and hunger was also advocated for.

- Leaders who attended the discussions promised to spread the MDGs and educate people to work towards what is expected of them by 2015.

- Political Leaders vied for ensuring financial transparency and accountability value for money in all activities intended to benefit the rural poor.

Conclusion:

Though communities are aware of development programmes, most do not tag the activities to MDGs and they do not know what is expected of them in the remaining six years (2009-2015).

Therefore much emphasis be put to sensitise communities on Millennium Development Goals and community roles in the activities be clearly spelt out if the MDGs are to be achieved by 2015.

Other Programmes

NORTHERN UGANDA SOCIAL ACTION FUND (NUSAF)

NUSAF is a government of Uganda project funded by GOU, an IDA credit from the World Bank and contribution from the beneficiary communities. The project aims to promote reconciliation and contributing to poverty reduction in the 18 (Now 29 with new districts) districts of Northern and Eastern Uganda covering all the district of West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Teso and Karamoja Regions.
Development Objective/Mission
The programme’s development goal is to improve the livelihood of the people in Northern Uganda and empower communities by enhancing capacity to systematically identify, prioritise, and plan for their needs within their own value systems. This programme also aims to enable communities to implement sustainable Development initiatives that improve socio-economic services and opportunities.

Specific Development Objectives

Strengthen community participation, leadership development and encourage mobilisation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
Improve quality of and access to social services and community initiated infrastructure.
Provide employment opportunity to able bodied individuals in food insecure households.
Provide support to vulnerable groups
Support community reconciliation and conflict management through local institutions and civil society organisations
Provide institutional support to build capacity to manage the project, disseminate information, monitor and evaluate activities as well as strengthen the local government institutions that provide technical support to the project

The NUSAF District Office was fully operational after the staff was recruited and commenced work in February 2004. The district also accessed office equipments and facilities including computers, furniture and transport facility. To date NUSAF in Arua operates in 3 Districts namely Arua (18 sub counties), Maracha/Terego (13 sub counties) and Koboko (5 sub-counties). While Koboko is fully operational and independent, Maracha/Terego is still run by the mother District Arua.

Implementation arrangements

Several stakeholders have been involved in the implementation of NUSAF activities including the communities and groups who demand and implement through their Community Project Management Committees(CPMC) , Community Facilitators who support communities with Participatory Rural Appraisal(PRA), and monitoring, the Civil Society Organisations that support PRA, appraisals, supervision and monitoring. The District Technical Planning Committee /Sub -county Technical Planning Committee under the supervision of the Chief Administrative Officer are responsible for appraisals, supervision and monitoring, the District Executive Committee(DEC) is responsible for approvals and monitoring. The elders /CRCM fora have also been effective in supporting sub-projects in implementation including capacity building support in form of training.

Sector Interventions

NUSAF Interventions cover all sectors including Health, Education, Water& Sanitation, Community Services and production. NUSAF Interventions target beneficiaries under three main Components namely Vulnerable Group Support (VGS)/Youth Opportunities Programme (YOP) targeting several vulnerable groups, Community Development initiatives (CDI) covering social infrastructural activities and Comity Reconciliation and Conflict Management (CRCM).

Sub-counties of Intervention
NUSAF Operates in all the Sub-counties of Arua district.

Conclusion
The initial project life span of five years expired and the one year extension also ended by March 2009. A revised approach to the project is being considered and is likely to start in July 2009.

ARUA DISTRICT NGO NETWORK (ADINGON)

Background
Arua District NGO Network (ADINGON) is a network of Non –Governmental Organisations (CBOs) and Private Sector Organisations operating in Arua District. The Network was established in 1996 and registered as a Non Governmental Organisation.

ADINGON seeks to strengthen the capacity of the Civil Society Organisation in Arua District (Including Terego and Maracha) to meet their obligation through sharing of membership capacity building, lobbying and advocacy, and networking so as to contribute to the Social transformation of the people of Arua District.
The membership of the network was originally restricted to only indigenous community based organizations operating in Arua District. However the AGM held in December 2006 resolved to open up the membership of the network to all NGOs operating in Arua District both local and international. The constitutional reforms were made to this effect.

Vision

“An empowered, equitably developed and democratically stable society where citizens enjoy a sustained higher standard of living”.

Mission

To be a platform and collective voice for civil society in Arua district to promote good governance and effective service delivery through policy advocacy and lobbying, budget advocacy and monitoring, anticorruption campaign, capacity building and networking and collaboration for the greater good of the people of Arua and West Nile at large.

Core mandate:

Policy lobbying and advocacy
Budget advocacy and monitoring
Anti corruption campaign
Capacity building for CSOs
Networking and collaboration.

Strategic Objectives

To influence government policies and programme action to make them pro poor through civic engagement.
To influence the budget process in the district through increasing citizen participation in the district planning and budgeting process.
Assess the impact of budget allocation to the livelihood of people through budget, monitoring and budget assessment.
To monitor the implementation of public services in the district through community based monitoring system.
To promote transparency and accountability in public offices
To stimulate citizens participation in the democratic processes and to hold their leaders accountable
To enhance networking, information sharing and coordination among CSO’s and other development actors in the district.
To build the capacities of CSO’s in the fields of management, advocacy and policy research and resource mobilization as will be deemed necessary
To promote productive partnerships and collaborative actions amongst development actors in the district for sustainable development.
To deliberately establish data bank and information centre for civil society in the district.
To promote a health image and responsible leadership in civil society for greater influence and impact.
To engage in any other lawful activity incidental to the realization of the above objectives.

Strategic Programme Areas

Policy analysis and advocacy
Capacity building/Institutional development for MOs
Networking and Information Sharing
Mainstreaming gender, HIV/AIDs, Environment, Human rights
Research, documentation and dissemination

Developments and Achievements

Establishment of ADINGON Office next to the court-Pearl close on Farmers House
Establishment of functional secretariat
Organisational capacity assessment for ADINGON
Network self understanding i.e. Why a Network?
Network self understanding actualization
A constitutional reform was done
Action research on NUSAF accountability
Advocacy on improving NUSAF accountability in 6 Sub Counties of Arua, Maracha/Terego Districts.

Planned Activities

Research and community education on local government development planning process and programme
Institutional development of MOS.
Formation of district leaders forum
Formation of quarterly LG-CSO Foras on thematic areas (Health, Education, Health etc)
Development of proposals and concept notes.

Major constraints to implementing programme
Weak member organization 60% of our members are have not moved from the traditional service provision NGO mentality to active soft ware challenges of the communities they represent.
Weak alliances between the NGOs and media on one hand and the LG on the other.
Infiltration of civil society by people with different agenda e.g politics
Do not dependence to support programmes and activities.
Misunderstanding of the network as donor/service provider by member organizations.

Conclusion:
The responsibility of the development of Arua District Local Government should rest with the people of Arua through active participation in the cause. We in the civil society would like to pledge our total support in the promotion of transparency and accountability. As stakeholders, ADINGON is rising to reclaim its rightful place in the community of Arua to ensure good governance and effective service delivery.

We pray that this meeting should be taken seriously in order to reduce disease, poverty and ignorance in Arua District.

DOCTORS WITH AFRICA - CUAMM

Name of organization
Doctors with Africa-Cuamm

Mission statement
“Doctors with Africa-Cuamm was the first NGO working in international health field to be recognized in Italy and it the largest Italian organization for the promotion and protection of health in Africa. It works with a long-term developmental perspective.
To this end, in Italy and in Africa, it is engaged in training, research, dissemination of scientific knowledge, and ensuring the universal fulfilment of the fundamental human right to health” – (Organization Statute 2006)

Type of organization
International NGO

When registered and how long it has been operating in Arua district
Registration in Uganda: 1990
Presence in Arua District: 1985

Subcounties in Arua district where organization is implementing activities
Doctors with Africa-Cuamm interventions are not sub-county based but rather district and diocese based. The following interventions are ongoing:
- Disability in West Nile: support to CBR (community based rehabilitation) workers in Rhinocamp and Rigbo subcounty, to physiotherapy and orthopaedic services in Arua Hospital and community outreaches, to epilepsy clinics in lower level health units (Rhinocamp HC IV, Olujobo HC III, Bunyababa aid post, Offaka HC III, Okollo HC III, Bondo HC III, Logiri HC III, Opia HC III, Ajia HC III, Aroi HC III), to primary eye care outreaches and to the blind unit of Arua Demonstration School, sensitization, advocacy and lobbying initiatives for people with disabilities in collaboration with local stakeholders.
- Support to Diocesan Health Services of Arua and Nebbi Diocese: support to the diocesan health office of Arua (payment of salaries and running costs, procurement of vehicles and other office equipment, funding of trainings, supervision) and, mainly indirectly through the diocesan health office, of the lower level health units of Ediofe and Adumi Oje (training, supervision, provision of drugs and equipment)

Sectors in which organization’s activities fall
Health with minor involvement in education and social services (in the field of the rights of people with disabilities)

Main beneficiaries of the organizations programs
Intermediate beneficiaries: Diocesan Health Offices and health units, health department and units involved with disability related activities (including mental health)
Final beneficiaries: general population, people with disabilities

Key achievements in the last 3 years
Disability:
- training of 12 CBR workers still active in the community
- establishment of a functional orthopedic workshop for the production of prosthesis and other devices
- support to the physiotherapy department (procurement of equipment, training, support to community outreaches)
- establishment and support to epilepsy clinics in 10 lower level health units (training and supervision, provision of drugs)
- collaboration with ADUPED in various sensitization and advocacy lobbying activities
Diocesan Health Services
- functional Diocesan Health coordination offices

Major challenges faced in implementing programs in Arua district
- Decreasing interest of donors in the West Nile region
- Little interest of donors in health system strengthening approach (in favour of vertical and output related projects)
- Absence of direct involvement in the district health activities after the end of the UNICEF project

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE (CIFOVUP)

Brief Back Ground CIFOVUP is a young people’s organization built around the concept of togetherness as a sustainable means of enhancing effective participation of young people in development. This concept is based on the belief that young people are themselves the best resource of promoting their development and that of the communities they live in, and that they must be both architects and agents in meeting the challenges and solving the problems faced in today’s world.

Youth development work has in the past been and in many cases is still centered on social welfare approach. This views young people as presenting problems, which need to be solved through the intervention of older people. This app[roach is limited, perceiving young people as passive objects upon which interventions must act rather than as active subjects participating in the shaping of their lives and that of their communities. It tends to be based on the range of negative assumptions about the young people that they are, at best unable to take care of themselves and others, and at worst responsible for crime and violence. This view tends to perpetuate the very problems it seeks to solve.

Formation of CIFOVUP

Community Initiative for the Empowerment of Vulnerable People (CIFOVUP) is a Community-based organization. It came into full operation in 2006 but the inception was way back in 2005. The idea of forming this CBO was the brainchild of a group of University Students and other students in higher institutions of learning who have graduated and those still studying. Its membership involves youths in various professional disciplines from various institutions . This idea was conceived after realizing the fact that the Government had numerous Poverty Alleviation Programmes targeting communities and on one hand, the communities are willing to participate in these programmes.

Having recognized the fact that there is no sufficient and effective mediation that could enable communities to access these services , build their capacity, make them produce results and subsequently ends of development, it necessitated an intermediary organization to re-organise,mobilize, capacity build and empower the vulnerable people to realize and use existing government, private sector and international NGOs’ programmes to improve their status hence creating independence thereby achieving development.

The continuous meetings been held by the promoters led to the formation of the Community Initiative for the Empowerment of Vulnerable People (CIFOVUP), registered with Directorate of Community Services Arua, Registration NO 0148 in January 2006 and registered with Directorate of Board, Registration No. 5914/6683 in October 19th 2006.

Mission statement
To empower vulnerable to be enterprising and use locally available resources effectively for self reliance.

Sector of Intervention
Peace and conflict management
Health
Environment
Capacity Building
Advocacy and Lobbying
Economic Empowerment
Agriculture
Research

Sub Counties in Arua where the Organisation is operating
Offaka
Vurra
Pajulu
Oluko

ARUA DISTRICT FARMERS ASSOCIATION (ARUDIFA)

TYPE OF THE ORGANISATION: NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION
SECTOR: AGRICULTURE
AREA OF OPERATION: ARUA AND MARACHA-TEREGO DISTRICTS.

Background Information

Arua District Farmers Association (ARUDIFA) was formed as a result of the formation of Uganda National Farmers Association (UNFA) of Uganda National Farmers Association (UNFA) now referred to as Uganda National Farmer’s Federation (UNFFE) in 1997. The idea of formation was conceived as a result of the sensitization workshop in Mukono DFI attended by District Production Officers in Uganda. Participants from Arua district came back and mobilized farmers at parish levels. The farmers came together and had elections right from parish levels and up to the district. Hence the formation of Arua District Farmers Association.
This association was then registered on 27th April 1998 as a company limited by Guarantee
The first major activity was resource mobilization in terms of membership from members. This was mainly for office operations since they were still operating in the office given them by Directorate of Production and Marketing of Arua district Local Government.

Later, the association applied for land to the Arua Municipal Council and where given their own plot on which it has an office block to date.

Vision
An empowered farming society with improved food security, nutrition and increased household incomes in Arua District.

Mission statement.
Farmers are supported to increase and add value to their production/productivity and to secure market.

Objectives.

To impart knowledge and skills involved in good agronomic practices and post harvest handling to 10,000 farmers in 5 years for increased production.
Farmers have added value to their produce especially for rice, simsim, maize and coffee.
To build the capacity of the farmers for better marketing of their produce/ products and be linked to potential markets.

The organization entered into Partnership Agreement for funding with DANIDA in 1999. This was made possible because of the Farmer’s Organization Component (FOC) of Agricultural Sector Programme Support (ASPS).
The main sector funded were activities relating to farming for increased production/ productivity, value addition and enhancement of marketing of farmers produce and products.

This funding encouraged more numbers to join the association and to date the membership stand at four thousand (4,000).
Training was carried in both Blue and Yellow Farm Management. A total of five hundred farmers (500) benefited from the training and are given certificates.
Two hundred and thirty four thousand (2340) farmers’ Epurpur sorghum was sold in Juba to the time of 30 metric tons. This boosted their income.
Farmers were introduced to growing sesame 11 which increased their production. They were linked to 0lam Uganda limited. The price was 1100 per kilogram as opposed to 600 per kilograms before introduction.
Farmers are trained in Agronomic practices, post harvest handling and marketing. This enabled the farmers to lay new-strategies for marketing their produce/ better negotiations skills, improved quality of produce and enabled them to get fairly higher price.
ARUDIFA established good working relationship with Arua District Local Government. This good relationship resulted into the Local Government paying to ARUDIFA shillings five Million towards the purchase of double cabin pickup to facilitate movement in the Organization.
ARUDIFA has been working in collaboration and partnerships with many NGOs, both International and National. These include SNV, CARE, ADINGON, Olam and many others.
ARUDIFA participates in government programs as and when they are available – The example is the implementation HIV/ AIDS program under Aids Integrated module (AIM) and was awarded with a certificate of merit.
World food programme in the year 2000 gave support to the farmers through ARUDIFA inform of tools.

Challenge
. The organization has limited source of local funds which is Marjory from members in form of annual subscription fee and membership fee. This has caused a lot of dependency on Donor funds (DANIDA) this limits the performance of the association.
.The Salary rate paid to staff is low and is not paid promptly.
. The number of employed staff is not enough to cover all the farmers in the district
. Failure to reach all the farmers in the District results in to low membership renewals.
. In ability to maintain the Double Cabin motor-vehicle in movable condition.
Low level of house hold income makes it difficult for farmers to afford and use the new technologies such as improved seeds, agro-chemicals, new tools and equipments.
The high dependency rate at house hold levels caused by extended family traditions results in high consumption of what is produced.
High expenditure for family welfare in most cases leaves very little money to be ploughed back in farming
Peoples attitude towards free things remain high as politicians seek votes from farmers. Some of the members expect ARUDIFA to work as politicians do and so distribute things like seeds for free.

Intervention for the next two years
About 85% of the population of Arua District is engaged in agricultural activities for survival. Although most of the population is engaged in farming activities, production, capacity is very low. This makes farming as a business difficult since the profit margins received are low. Most of the produce/products realized end up being consumed and so have very little for sale to earn money. Often the qualities they sell are not well processed and therefore earn low prices.

Farmers have no organized markets where they can collectively bargain for better prices. This subjects them to the scrupulous middle men take the advantage to cheat them.

Access to improved seeds and other inputs is an issue of concern for most of the farmers.

There is need for a continuous education of farmers and linkage to improved farm inputs.

The need to impart skills and knowledge in agronomy, post harvest handling, marketing soil and water
Conservation, good animal husbandry practices is emphasized because of changes in climate and environment in general.

Pests and diseases control in to processes of production affects the crops very much and this reduces the expected output (Yields). These are common in crops like cassava, maize vegetables, groundnuts and many other minor crops.

The ARUDIFA interventions focus on improving production and productivity of farmers on enterprises which have ready markets and are profitable with low financial investments and low risks, ARUDIFA provides knowledge and skills to her farmers through trainings on the recommended practices involved in crop and animal production soil and water conservation, post harvest handling and marketing.

ARUDIFA will continue to establish viable market linkages by carrying out market research both national and international. This will enable the farmers to pool up produce to address the market.

The production of both food and cash crops will help to improve the nutrition status of the farmers and their households. Practical demonstrations will be set for farmers to copy.

The organization will encourage the farmers to see and practice agro-processing as a method of adding value to their products. For example simple preservation of certain products/produce that they have realized such as fruits vegetables etc.

The Organisation will lobby and advocate for changes in policies that are likely to effect agricultural production negatively both at local government levels and national levels and will advocate for the poor and the violence farmers.

ARUDIFA will continue to carry out some research in order to get enough information for solving problems that may exist in PMA policies at designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation levels.

ARUA DISTRICT UNION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (ADUPED)

Background:
The idea to have this union was conceived earlier by people with disabilities ad existing group or associations of people with disabilities movement in Arua. Due to inadequate support they were unable to manifest this idea. However, this union was finally given birth on 18th October 1997 to address issues geared to capacity building, collaboration, networking and soliciting for funds in order to accomplish its stated mission and objectives.

Mission:
Creation of unified Voice of Funds in order to advocate for equalization of opportunities, involvement and participation in policy planning and implementation disability programmes in close cooperation with Government.

Sector of Intervention:
Health, Education Employment, Agriculture appliances accessibility.

Sub-Counties Where Aduped Operates Are As Follows:
River Oli Division
Oluko Sub-County
Arivu Sub-County
Ogoko Sub-County
Vurra Sub-County
Aroi Sub-County
Adumi Sub-County
Offaka Sub-County
Ulleppi]

Achievements Over The Last Three Years:
Formation of nine 9 sub-county unions whose capacities have been build through trainings at both District and National level.
Capacity building and working in collaboration with District Associations like Arua District Union of Women with Disabilities (ADAWID), Arua District Association of the Blind (ADAB), and Arua District Association of the Deaf (ADAD).
Existence of internal administrative structures like Executive committee (E.C.), project management committee (PMC) that always discusses and resolves administrative issues.
Through regular sensitization, other associations at both District and sub-county level have benefited from various projects and institutions e.g. ADAWOD from Abilis, Mobile Technical Authority (MOTA), River Oli Division from NUSAF, Euata PWD/Onduparaka from FINCA and individual PWDS inconjuction with non PWDS in NAADS etc.
Regular sensitization either by verbal or radio talk shows has created community awareness resulting into some positive change e.g. presence of ramps in some public places, delivery of services to some PWDS like employment.
Participated in fund raising activities for support of PWDS e.g. ADUPED fundraised massively for Raphael for carpentry tools last year.
Lobbied for wheel chairs and received eleven (11) from NUDIPU and sixty (60) from USDC and some from CUAMM direct to the beneficiaries.
Advocated for funds from NUDIPU for sub-county union capacity building.
Through sub-county union meetings, able to here some positive changes like PWDS planning for their needs and sharing with sub-county Authorities in other sub-counties.
Lobbied for the use of sign language interpretation in Christ the King Church Arua.
Advocated for two (2) employment for PWDS i.e. one in Gaagaa Bus Services and other Nile Petrol Station.
Assessment and placement of Deaf for tailoring in ADAWOD has resulted in to sign language being taught.
Community Based Rehabilitation by CUAMM through collaboration with ADUPED.
USDC/CUAMM corrective surgery programs for PWDS are at time linked up by ADUPED.
VCT service lobbied for PWDs to know HIV/AIDS status in November 2007 which was successful.
Improved relationship with District e.g. collaboration in work, meetings, and national days.
Hosted Disability National Days celebrations like World Sight Day and National Sports Day.
Receivable of Constituency Development Fund of one million from Hon. MP Nockrach William Wilson who is MP for PWD Northern Region.
Business Development Support (BDS) benefited twenty three (23) PWDS i.e. 9 in tailoring, 4 in carpentry and joinery, 4 in kitting, 2 in Metal Fabrication, 3 in motor vehicle mechanics, 1 in phone repairing, and some self reliant through use of skills acquired.

Challenges:
Phasing off USDC program like plastic and corrective surgery for PWDS is a challenge to ADUPED.
Inadequate financial and material support from NUDIPU and government.
Not many NGOS/CBOS mainstream Disability issues in their programs
Disability policies included in government plans but not much implemented.
Communication gap among PWDS beneficiaries, hence limiting mobility
Duped has no independent income source apart from NUDIPU BDS and DSI FUNDS.
BDS mostly benefited urban areas than rural areas and yet demand is higher in rural area than urban areas currently.
Lack of computer for ADUPED making secretarial services expensive and yet little funding by NUDIPU for existing programs.


ARUA RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ARCOD)

Introduction
ARCOD is a local NGO, established under Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2002, its registration No: is: S - 5914-3980. The offices are situated at Uganda Red Cross Building, Plot 76 Avenue Road Arua with branch office at Yole Trading Center, 17 Kms Rhino Camp Road in Nyadri District.

ARCOD plans to implement activities within her 2006 – 2010 strategic Plan.
To promote African Red Bird Eye Chili as a commercial enterprise alternative to tobacco farming in Arua district.
To promote agro-forestry farming so as to enhance sustainable livelihood and environment conservation in Arua district.
To advocate for tobacco control (tobacco farming and use) so as to ensure environmental justice; social, economic and health are restored in Arua district.
To carry out advocacy on good governance so as to ensure peace, justice and unity prevails for equitable and sustainable exploitation of resources for development.
To establish and develop a one stop training center for integrated sustainable farming in Arua district.

Vision
Is that the rural poor have access to knowledge & financial resources to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life.

Mission
Is to emancipate the rural community for poverty reduction, economic development and protection of the environment.

We do this through:
Provision of focal point for information, training, advice, awareness, counselling, informal discussions, communication, development; and techniques of sustainable agriculture.

Mobilization of Resources for alleviating problems affecting the grass root communities and their development thereby strengthening self help organizations.

1A: Integrated Rural Development Initiative (IRUDI) – Chili Project.

We are actively operating in 6 sub counties of Bileafe, Manibe, Vurra, Logiri, Tara and Odupi (Imvepi). However, some farmers in other sub counties i.e. Oluko, Arivu, Omugo, Yivu and Katrini have shown interest and are due to take up the project this season 2008. In Vurra and Logiri sub counties, the enthusiasm is apparent and the project is being scaled up with assistance of local government and CBOs i.e.Vurra Patriotic Entertainers Group - VUPEG and Logiri Action for Development - LOCADE respectively.

A total of 10 community chili nursery centers have been established between January and February 2008. The seedlings are due for transplanting in April 2008. We expect to harvest a total of 20 metric tonnes of dried Red Bird Eye Chili.

Due to financial constraints, training of farmers on the best farming practice and post harvest handling of chili; and media promotion has not been conducted as yet. Your support to bridge this gap shall improve the quality of the initiative.

B: Environmental Conservation/Tree Nursery Raising

We have established a community tree nursery center at Yole village along river Ottu through the support of World Food Programme-WFP food for work component. So have far we raised 30,000 of 200,000 seedlings of Kaya anthoheca, cassia, Tectona gradis, Terminalia ssp. The seedlings are due for distribution for transplanting in the 2nd quarter of 2008. The biggest challenge here is the seeds which are not freely accessed contrary to the supply of the seedlings to the targeted communities and schools in Arua and Nyadri districts.


C: Good governance advocacy project
We are in partnership with CEFORD in implementing the advocacy project under DFID on community governance in Katrini and Yivu sub – counties in Nyadri district.

The thematic areas of the project included rights awareness, policy development and policy monitoring. Baseline survey was successfully conducted and currently we are carrying on the formulation of parish development plan for the 14 parishes in Katrini and Yivu sub – counties.

D: Tobacco Control.
Stakeholders meeting have been going on as scheduled by the Uganda National Tobacco Control Association (UNTCA) and Tobacco or Health - ToH forum. However, at district level a task force is being formed to address tobacco control in the West Nile region.

Constraints/Challenges:
Lack of funding is the main challenge of the projects. This has hindered:-
Training of farmers in best farming techniques and post harvest handling of chili.
Hand outs; the farming communities are used to free offers as such change of attitude is difficult.
Provision of ultra violet solar drying sheets. Farmer are used to hand outs thus wanted free supply of U.V solar sheets proves a challenge to us.
Environmental disaster of climatic change wind storm during March 2008 destroyed some UV solar drier houses.
Logistical/transport facility.

Way forward
Partnership with key stakeholders for opportunities and complements to realize our objectives. Kindly avail us such opportunities for holistic development.
Continued sensitization of the farming community on the benefits and bio - trade opportunities.

NATIONAL COMMUNITY OF WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA)

Background Information:
National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA) is Non-Governmental organization registered under the National NGO Board and legally is a limited company by guarantee.
NACWOLA came into existence in Uganda in July 1992 with a group of women from 27 countries worldwide met at the 8th International Conference in Amsterdam – Netherlands. At this conference the women founded the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, (ICW). This network was founded in the response to desperate lack of information available to HIV positive women at the time, which propagated a profound sense of isolation. At this important conference, Uganda was represented by three HIV positive women. These were the Late Catherine Etyang, Margaret Nalumansi and Kate Nalugya. On returning home, these ladies realised the need to form a network that would unite HIV+ women nationally; hence they founded the Uganda chapter in 1992.
Inception of NACWOLA – North Western region was in 1994 and began with 04 HIV+ woman who saw the need to share experiences and challenges faced in fighting stigma and discrimination. These women realised the importance of working and relying on each other as a support group which has contributed in restoring hope in their lives.
The organization has since expanded its activities to 5 other districts and the membership presently stands at 300. Initially, the organization received support and funding from Arua Hospital and the district. Today NACWOLA has received support and works in close collaboration with 06 partners namely: MSF, WFP, MMN, CARE, OWOH and TIDES. As a means of promoting pillars of sustainability, NACWOLA has built its own office structure and began income generating activities to boost the income of members. These activities include: bee keeping, goat rearing, horticulture, poultry farming and crop growing.
Based on the above background the members have been encouraged to own the organization and the spirit of voluntarism has been enhanced.

Mission Statement:
The Mission of NACWOLA is to improve quality of life and to promote positive living for women living with HIV/AIDS and their families through Psycho-social support, Economic empowerment and access to essential services in Arua and the West Nile Region.

NACWOLA’s intervention is in the area of social services and health where it operates in seven (07) Sub-Counties of Oluko, Dadamu, Adumi, Arua Hill, Upper Madi, River Oli, and Offaka.


Achievements:
The capacity building being given to the members and staff is s strength and opportunity for better performance in future beyond the project. Already is improvement in capacity for monitoring, reporting and evaluation of project activities.
The ability of the organization to absorb and account for the funds that were received is another strong element. This is a sign of growth and development and is an opportunity for stronger future partnerships.
There is a high recovery rates among patients who have been attended by NACWOLA volunteers during admission on the hospital wards. This has not only given hope among to the patients but also shown the level of commitment of the members.
The issues of women empowerment and poverty alleviation are high on Millennium Development Goals agenda. This will be a propelling factor to mobilize more energy to consolidate the objectives of this intervention.
The availability of transport has helped to expand the geographical coverage of community outreaches by taking services nearer to the vulnerable hared to reach communities.
The Arua leadership and local communities appreciate NACWOLA’s fight in HIV/AIDS hence it is easy to lobby their support in times of need such as provision of technical service.

Challenges:
As a team the implementers are aware of the skills gap in reporting and documentation this needs to be addressed in order to increase efficiency.
NACWOLA management team still needs more knowledge and skills and commitment to meet the expected standards for effective reporting
As an organization doesn’t have a data management system in place, this jeopardizes our efficiency and effectiveness in planning and monitoring. The level of literacy of the members is still low thus the speed of conceptualization of the issues in the capacity building through the trainings is a little slow in most of the members which needs constant monitoring.
The delay in release of funds affecting the implementation of activities.

Proposed development strategy for the next one year:
A significant out come of community outreaches is the increase in voluntary counseling and testing in the targeted communities. Unfortunately, in many of the hard to reach communities there is no easy access to the services desired. This will be an advocacy point for NACWOLA in the next implementation period.


WEST NILE RURAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (WENIRUDA)
West Nile Rural Development Agency (WENIRUDA) is an initiative of West Nile Youths of various levels of education and professions within and in the
Diaspora. The organization was founded in 2005 with an aim of fostering sustainable development among the people of West Nile Sub-Region.

Aware of the fact that the West Nile sub-region is faced with enormous problems which among others include: abject poverty, illiteracy, HIV/AIDS, environmental degradation, insecurity, governance problems, cross boarder issues and conflicts, lack of initiative, information and collective commitment by the people. Inspired by the fact that solving the above issues rest in or hands (the Youths as people of West Nile.) the founders of WENIRUDA saw it necessary to come together to form a collective body so as to partner and join others to collectively address some of the above problems prevalent in the sub-region.

West Nile Rural Development Agency has got two main focus/intervention areas these include:

Good Governance:
This is one of WENIRUDA’s core objectives where is seeks to play advocacy in enhancement of good governance through Anti-corruption campaigns, democracy and Human rights, conflict management and resolution, capacity building and Gender main streaming. Good governance can be seen as the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage society’s affairs at all levels. It compromises the mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate their differences.

Good governance ensures that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voice of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision making over the allocation of development resources to promote effectiveness and capability hence the following principles are central in realizing Good Governance.

a) Participants
b) Transparency and
c) Accountability.

Community Services: This is the second core objectives of WENIRUDA in ensuring its vision of “a society transformed for sustainable Development”. This area focuses on quality and effective delivery of basic needs/services to the needy community members so as to empower them and help them n the process of eliminating poverty.

This is an area that will help test whether or not good governance is adhered to

Education
Health
Agriculture/Life stock
Environment

The Vision of WENIRUDA:
The vision of WENIRUDA is a society transformed for sustainable development.

The Mission of WENIRUDA:
The mission of WENIRUDA is to be an agent of change in fostering sustainable development through good governance and community service provision.

The Core Objectives of WENIRUDA:
Weniruda stands of two core objectives:

To play advocacy role in good governance through anti-corruption campaigns, democracy, rule of law, human rights, conflict resolution, capacity building and gender mainstreaming.
To improve livelihood of communities through provision of quality services in agriculture, education, public health and best practices of environmental management.

The Specific Objectives of WENIRUDA:
To gather and disseminate concrete, reliable, and up-to-date information on policies, legal framework and practices affecting Human rights good governance and Democracy.
To increase mobilization of people and create awareness on their roles and the roles of the leaders to hold government accountable.
To provide a platform for the youth and the general public to advocate on the issues of corruption.
To build the capacity of the staff to deliver quality services and that of the communities for sustainable development.
Creating awareness and strategies of preventing conflicts among the youth and communities, that take the form of strikes and gender based violence respectively.
To promote education standards and increase accessibility
To promote sustainable agriculture extension and advisory services, basic inputs and market research.
To improve the health conditions of the people through sensitization and creating awareness on HIV/AIDS, sanitation and reproductive health.
To protect the environment through the best practices of environment management like afforestation, use of energy saving technologies and wetland protection.

Values of WENIRUDA:
Transparency and accountability
Integrity.
Equal opportunity and diversity
Collective commitment and shared responsibility
Participatory approach.

The Guiding Principles of WENIRUDA:
Being visionary
Determination to succeed,
Fearlessness,
Perseverance,
Creativity and critical thinking.

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Arua Vision

Arua District Local Government has a Vision to have a healthy, productive and prosperous people by 2017. It is also hoped that by 2015, most of the United Nation's 8 Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) will be achieved.

With the resourceful information posted on this Blog and Website (@www.arua.go.ug), it is hoped that those involved in Arua's development are well informed about the issues affecting the district and the measures being taken to alleviate the problems.

Feel free to contact the Local Government on any issues of your concern or dealings. Located on Arua Avenue, opposite Catholic Centre and adjacent to the Arua Central Police Station, you will be attended to by dedicated civil servants.

For GOD and my Country!

Facebook Description:
Established on 14th June 1914, Arua Town (the Ancient Capital of Pan-Africanism) is 64 Km away from the Sudan Border, 39 Km South of Koboko Town, 14 Km East of the Congo Border and about 530 Km from Kampala (Distance according to Gaagaa Coach's first female driver Kenyan Alice Nyambura). Widely regarded as the Capital of West Nile and a business hub linking Northwestern Uganda to Sudan, Congo and the rest of the world, Arua is home to mainly the Lugbara tribe and other smaller groups like the Madi, Kakwa and Alur.

During the 1945 African Chiefs/ Heads Conference in Manchester (England), the Pan Africanism Association was formed and ARUA was chosen as its Head Quarters in the independent Kingdom State of Lado. Ghanaian Kwame Nkrumah (His First Name was Francis ) became the Secretary and Kenya's First President Jomo Kenyatta (His Real Name was Johnston Kamau) became Assistant Secretary while the Agofe/ King Atabua was Chairman. [WARNING: This King is not recorded in African History. He was assassinated because he asked USSR (Russia) to raise the question of Lado Independence at the United Nations in 1947]

In 2005, Uganda was included among third world countries allowed to export honey to the European Union. Consequently, a factory for natural bee products that meet EU standards was set up in Arua. The factory provides a ready market for honey from local farmers. Arua is the hive to one of the World's Best Honey (and won a Gold Medal at the 2000 Lisbon Expo in Portugal). Also, the farmers here produce 50 percent of Uganda's tobacco. It is home to World Champion Athlete Dorcus Inzikuru, the first female gold medalist from Uganda. The World Famous President Idi Amin Dada (a Kakwa with a Lugbara Mother) has a house in Arua District and made it famous...

Welcome to the Little City named Arua; it's inside Uganda’s Sunshine District: Area Code 0476, something like the Toronto of Ug*. Some natives fancy calling it 'California' (USA - United States of Arua which comprises the break-away Districts of Moyo, Koboko, Yumbe, plus Nyadri or Maracha and Terego). You can see Mount Wati from atop Arua Hill which has a fantastic panoramic view of the municipality (while you enjoy tinned fish from Morocco or the Barifa Forest breeze with your partner on the Lovers' Rock - East Side of the hill) plus will find abundant Mangoes everywhere during harvest season, Maize from Vurra, White Ants, Honey, Ope (Lugbara for 'Guinea Fowls' which are reared most by people in Arua compared to anywhere else in Uganda), Green Fields, Nice People, Fresh Air, Good Food, Rocks, and Picturesque Thunderbolts… The Beauty of the Golf Course can get you closer to GOD.

'Sunday Magazine' inside Uganda’s Best Selling Newspaper 'Sunday Vision' on 18th September 2005 called Arua a 'Sleeping Giant awakening'. Meanwhile, Joel Obetia the West Nile Diocesan Archbishop on Christmas Day 2007 prophesied that, “In five years time, Arua will be a city…” That is by 2012, the whole world should fathom Arua as the Sweetest Place on Earth two years before its 100th Anniversary.

Requirements for City Status include: Ability for quality service delivery, enough water resources connected to the national grid and a population of over 500,000 people. Arua somehow meets the standards including the old one of having a cathedral. Arua has more than two cathedrals already. The only problem is that the advancement is not extended to a wide area but it is happening steadily even despite local opposition. Tourism is a major investment in terms of financial dividends and as the government tries to promote it in Arua, there is no limit this small Northwestern town will not reach.

To get to Arua, you can either fly Eagle Air, United Airlines, Challenge Air, West Nile Air, Royal Daisy to the Idi Amin Aerodrome (Uganda's Second Busiest after Entebbe Airport) or ride in a matatu/ coach (Nile, ANKK, Gateway, Regional, Gaagaa, KK Transporters) most of which passengers board on Johnstone Street behind King Fahd Plaza. Travellers who prefer Posta Bus services can board from the Main Post Office in Kampala. No railway network was constructed up to Arua Town from Pakwach or Congo (despite plans in the ancient times) so you will miss that experience here. Crossing the Albert Nile from Adjumani might require a ferry though. The journey can be quite enchanting especially at places like Karuma Falls, Pakwach or Paraa Ferry Crossing (Pure Paraa-dise, allow me to quip here!).

Rhino Camp used to be the home of white rhinos that were unfortunately wiped out but there is a (wildlife) game reserve at Ajai. Currently, the reserve is experiencing fast growth in Hippos, Colubus Monkeys, Velvet Monkeys, Baboons, the Bush-buck, Uganda Kob, Water-buck, Warthogs, Statunga, Leopards and bird species. Ajai offers campsites at Tangi Gate, about 200 metres away from the banks of the Nile that flows gently in this area. Lugard's Fort in Maracha County is of national significance and could be developed in order to diversify the tourism products in the Northern Region. Barifa Forest which encloses the Dorcus Inzikuru Sports Ground is also a major attraction. You may be surprised to find that the Arua Kids League (AKL) has more technical talent than the Kampala outfit KKL sometimes. Other Places of Interest include the heavenly Catholic Media Centre that houses Radio Pacis plus Vineyard in Ediofe - West Side, Hotel Pacific, Slumberland, Heritage Group of Restaurants and Guest Houses, Kuluva Hospital, 'Aci Engine' (WENRECo Power Station), 'White Castle' with swimming pool in Ewuata - 5 Km outside Arua, Falls on rivers, Night Spots like Discotheques, Picturesque meanders at Ragem Beach, Fort Wadelai near the Albert Nile, Emmanuel Cathedral in Mvara - East Side, Ediofe Cathedral (which will celebrate 100 Years in 2012), Mount Wati, the West Nile Golf Course and much more...

Sunday 7 June 2009

Overview of Arua District

BACKGROUND: HISTORY

Arua is one of the 80 districts of the Republic of Uganda. It is one of the 21 districts of the Northern Uganda Region; and one of the 7 districts of the West Nile Sub Region. Arua District was curved out of the then West Nile and Madi District which was founded in 1912 during the colonial period. In 1953 Madi District comprising of the current Moyo and Adjumani districts was granted a district status leaving West Nile as a District. In 1973 West Nile was given a provincial status but reverted back to a District in 1979 with Nebbi being curved into a District of its own. Arua District got its name from Arua town. In 1979 when the Ugandan president at the time Godfrey Binaisa declared that all districts/ provinces acquire their names from their regional capital so that is how Arua district inherited the name from Arua town. In 2001 Yumbe District was curved out of Aringa County of the then Arua. Koboko District was similarly curved out of Koboko County of the then Arua District. In 2006, a District comprising of the counties of Maracha and Terego was curved out of Arua though its political organs are not yet operational due failure to resolve on the location of the district headquarters. Arua District as of now comprises of the counties of Ayivu, Vurra, Madi-Okollo and Arua Municipality.

Key Development Challenges

INTRODUCTION:

This chapter presents some of the development challenges facing Arua District. It gives an analysis and explanations regarding service delivery levels in the district. It further highlights key investment priority areas for collaboration.
Arua District local government is mandated to deliver quality services to the community so as to realise improved quality of life for the populace. However, the district is faced with a lot of development challenges in realizing its development goal. The development challenges are discussed as below.

POOR FARMING PRACTICES:

Over 80% of the district’s active labour force is engaged in agriculture and most of them are in rural areas. The goal of production department is to improve the livelihoods of the people through transformation of farming from subsistence to commercial farming. The department also aims at improving household food and income security. However, this goal has not been realised due to insufficient extension services, most farmers are still small holders who produce on small plots and using traditional tools that is responsible for poor yields. There is limited farmers’ access to improved planting materials. Above all the farming community heavily rely on natural weather which is not easily predicted. There have often been situations of late start of rain which often affected agricultural production. This unreliable rainfall both in quantity and timing is still a big challenge to farmers as it often results into crop failure and loss of livestock during adverse weather conditions hence household food insecurity. The Government of Uganda has focused on increase of production and productivity in the agricultural sector as one of the major ways of improving the livelihoods of the population. This is expected to address the challenges of low household incomes and food insecurity.

INADEQUATE AND LIMITED ELECTRIFICATION:

A greater part of Arua District lacks electricity. The old thermal generator with a capacity of about 1.5MW of electricity which provides power for only a few hours a day, has for the last few months been non operational. The Nyagak hydro electric scheme from which the District is expected to benefit is far behind schedule. Lack of a reliable and sufficient source of electricity has kept the District backwards in terms of attracting investments in spite of its strategic location to the two neighbouring countries of the DRC and the Sudan; the high potential of the area of agricultural production and agro processing; and the high population which constitutes a big market for manufactured products among others. Only 0.8% of the households had access to electricity by 2002 population and housing census report. Lack of reliable power in the district is a big disincentive to investors and hampers value addition to agricultural products. The district has got a number of potential sites for hydro electricity generation. The district is now faced with the challenge of attracting investors and needs to intensify its efforts in lobbying from the government through the rural electrification programme to develop the various sites for hydro electricity supply in the region.

Environmental degradation and poor natural resource utilization practices
Given that the majority of poor people depend on the environment for their livelihood, the state of the environment has a huge implication for poverty reduction: Over 89% of the population of the district lives in the rural areas and depends on natural resources for their livelihood. 80 percent of the population is employed in agricultural sector. Ninety nine percent (99%) of the population rely on wood fuel for their domestic energy needs. Degradation of the environment leads to low productivity of the natural resources and consequently poverty.
The sector's efforts to improve environmental conditions contribute to productivity and poverty eradication.

PRESENT SITUATION:

Arua District has high natural resource potentials such as fairly fertile soils forests, wildlife, water resources, wetlands, and a favourable climate with rainfall ranging from 900mm to 1500mm per year. However, several factors have led to the degradation of the Environment. These factors include high population increase and unsustainable utilization of natural resources, poverty, desire to increase per capita, low levels of technology, low levels of environmental awareness, introduction of tobacco growing in the district and influx of refugees.

The above strain has resulted into a number of environmental issues
(a) Soil degradation:
Soil degradation is one of the most disturbing environmental problems affecting the district. This is particularly so in lower Ayivu, some parts of Vurra and Madi counties.

(b) Deforestation:
The District has 39 gazetted forest reserves totalling 60 425 Ha. Between 40 to 60 percent of the forests has been removed. However, deforestation is mainly taking place in communal and private lands.

(c) Poor waste disposal/sanitation:
Solid waste management is one of the major problems in the district both in the urban and rural areas. Arua Municipal Council is currently not in position to manage the waste properly as stipulated in the Public Health Act of 1964 and Local Government statute of 1997.
Equally, most households do not have disposal pits. Latrine coverage in the district is still low (58 percent). Waste is disposed of in unhygienic manner.
Water supply in Arua District is equally not very good. Only 65% percent of the people in the District have access to safe water.

(d) Wetlands & river bank degradation:
Wetlands cover approximately 2.8 percent (87 km2) of the total land area of the district. This allows water to stay in one place long enough to maximize infiltration. The water holding capacity and buffering effect of wetlands ensure that rivers and streams continue to flow during the dry season and ground water is sustained. There has however been a lot of wetlands and river banks degradation through drainage for cultivation, brick making, sand mining and burning of vegetation. Unless the above trend is reversed, the district’s wetlands will be completely destroyed in future.

(e) Loss of biodiversity
Arua district contributes very little to the wildlife resources of the county in spite of the fact that the district has Ajai Game Reserve that covers an area of 15,800 hectares and is located in the south-eastern part of the district. Ajai, the main wildlife area was initially gazetted as a White Rhino Sanctuary in 1937. Other fauna included elephants, hippopotamus, buffaloes, monkeys, baboons and many birds. By 1981, some of these animals were reduced to extinction including; (e.g. white rhinoceros, elephants, hartebeest). This was as a result of poaching. The current wildlife present in the reserve is hippopotamus, antelopes, bushbucks, warthog, and monkeys (Vervet,Potas Dorcupine Monkeys), Cane rats, Baboons, birds and reptiles. The main causes of poaching are: Political turmoil and lawlessness which prevailed in the district in the 1980; Poorly managed resource base; Ill-provided for and demoralized game workers; Lack of awareness on the importance of wildlife.
The negative attitude of the local people to conservation.
Poachers have taken advantage of all these leading to severe poaching and extinction of some animals. People should also be educated about the advantages of conserving wildlife so that they are not alienated from their conservation.
The maintenance and management of wildlife resources is often affected by varied and often opposing view points and interests especially where matters of resource allocation an accessibility are to be decided. Many times the local community surrounding game reserves are not involved in the protection of reserves. Information on community participation in the management of wildlife resources in Arua district is inadequate.
Some encroachment has been reported in the game reserves. Human activities taking place in the reserve are cultivation and grazing which is seasonal. Squatters have occupied a few localities in the reserve. There has also been legal settlement of inhabitants who were residents in the reserve prior to 1964 who were issued with certificates. There is no record of the number of livestock, huts and human settlement to show the exact impacts of human activities in the reserve. As a result of encroachment, the wildlife habitat has been disturbed. In some areas it has led to complete loss of habitat forcing animals to migrate. All these together with poaching have not only caused reduction in number of wildlife but even led to complete extinction of some species.
As a result of the above state of affairs, Arua District is not exploiting the potential of income generation and employment from the wild life reserve as much as it should have done.

GENDER INEQUALITY:
Gender imbalances still do exist in the district especially in ownership and access to productive assets such as land. Generally women do not own nor control land. They only have access to the land but the decisions on what to produce and in what quantities remain the domain of men. Furthermore, women do not control proceeds of neither what ever is produced nor what they sell in the market. This explains why many women are poorer in Arua District than men. Gender Based Domestic Violence (GBV) is also common although there is no clear statistics on this matter. The existing gender disparity still remains a challenge to development of the District. A more detailed analysis is presented in Chapter Three.

POOR ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES:
Availability and access to quality social services (health, education, extension services, clean and safe drinking water) translates directly into the quality of life of the people. In Arua district, access to quality social services is still undoubtedly limited with the following implications for the quality of life of the people.
The key actions in this Sector shall include,
• Capacity building of the Communities to demand for services in a participatory manner.
• Improve and promote social mobilisation for development planning and management at all levels amongst the community.
• Support the Youth, the elderly, and the cultural groups to participate fully in all development initiatives.
More detailed analysis and current service levels are presented in sectoral analyses.
The District intends to squarely address these challenges in the short and medium term using strategies and objectives outlined in the Arua DDP Policy 2009 - 2010 available at the Local Government offices on Adumi Road.