By Bazio Doreen.

The Crown Prince of Dubai, His Royal Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum, has pledged to build schools, a specialized hospital, provide tricycles, and promote solar-powered technologies to empower the women, men, and youth in Adjumani District.

The pledge was presented by Dr. Jjingo Robinson, a Financial Coordinator at the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by the UN Women Country Representative in Uganda, Ms. Paulina Chiwangu, and Hon. Rosaline Rose Birungi Kamuli, a representative from the Office of the Ugandan President, while meeting district leaders during a courtesy meeting at the district headquarters as part of a monitoring visit organized by UN Women.

Concerns raised.

Hon. Kaijuka Richard Arthur, the District Vice Chairperson, informed Dr. Jjingo that Adjumani Hospital is currently grappling with the lack of a gynecologist, and thus the district leaders welcome the idea of partnering to construct a specialized hospital and that they shall avail land for this noble cause.

Mr. Taban Peter Data, the Resident District Commissioner, thanked UN Women for supporting and empowering women in Adjumani. He also observed that while building schools, especially a university, would be the most appropriate move, it is worth noting that in many schools across the district, there are inadequate teachers and facilities for pupils and students. He also observed that procuring tractors for refugee women groups would encourage many more to embrace commercial agriculture amidst the ever-dwindling food rations.

Mr. Abdul Ramathan, who represented the Refugee Desk Officer OPM-Pakele, noted that UN Women has supported women to embrace leadership, adding that 10 out of 19 Refugee Welfare Officer Chairpersons are women. He said that helping women improve their self-esteem and confidence has increased women’s participation in refugees’ political elections from 45% in 2016 to 63% in 2023. He, however, noted that these women still face the challenge of transport due to the long distances.

Response.

In response, Dr. Jjingo tasked the district to come up with a detailed proposal and concept paper on the ideas discussed within a week so that the United Arab Emirates can consolidate the long-term partnership through UN Women. In the meantime, Dr. Jjingo promised that the UAE is willing to provide tricycles and tractors to support farmer groups and motorcycles to ease mobilization by women leaders. He also said skilling refugee youth on solar-powered technologies would create employment opportunities and make them self-reliant.

About the project.

The trio was in the district to specially monitor the Leadership Empowerment Access and Protection (LEAP) Project that is being implemented by Overcomers Women Activists/Co-Act, Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, and Refugee Law Project. The LEAP project has been supporting women in the thematic areas of: leadership skills, women’s rights, psychosocial support, peacebuilding, child protection, teenage pregnancies, agriculture, adult education, and GBV. 

The LEAP project has so far reached out to 23,493 beneficiaries, mainly women in Ayilo and Nyumanzi Refugee Settlements. The LEAP project has been running since December 2021 and ends in 2025. The UN Women has been operating in Uganda since 2012, mainly focusing on reducing gender inequality.

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By Bazio Doreen.

The Vice President of Uganda, H.E. Major (Rtd) Alupo Jessica, is set to visit Adjumani District in March 2025. Her Excellency will be visiting the district on the invitation of Miss Jewel Michaels, the 2024 Miss Teen Pearl of Africa, to launch the Jewel Michaels Foundation for Education in Adjumani.

During the visit, the VP will interact with pupils at Pakele Girls and Ofua Central Primary School and patients at Ofua HC III. The VP is also expected to meet with technical and political leaders from the West Nile region.

According to Queen Jewel, the main objective of setting up the foundation is to prevent teenage pregnancies and other factors that hinder mainly girls from going to, staying, and completing school. In Adjumani, teenage pregnancy stands at 15.7%. Between 2020 and 2024, Adjumani District reported 1,785 cases of teenage pregnancy and child marriage. According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), in the last decade, over 1.2 million children dropped out of school. In Adjumani, the school completion rate is only 48%.

Queen Jewel also says her foundation shall, among other causes: create a running scholarship scheme for underprivileged children to go, stay, and complete school; support small-scale household projects of chicken and goat rearing; as well as undertake cross-country study tours for children to learn from Uganda’s development site. 

Miss Jewel also represented Uganda at the Miss Teen Universe 2024 pageant in Delhi, India, where she was the second runner-up. Miss Jewel, 14, is the daughter of Major General (Rtd) Michael Ondoga and Lucy Batcher, a sister to VP Alupo. She is also a vocalist, guitarist, and sportswoman.

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By Bazio Doreen

Adjumani District has received 200 ICT devices from the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) and Ministry of ICT under the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF), now known as the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) pilot project.

The devices were given to households and stakeholders in Aliababa Village, Subbe Parish, and Ofua Sub County, which the District Executive Committee chose following a request from UCC to select one village for the project. 

According to Mr. Matsiko Emmanuel, the UCC Gulu Regional Manager, the UCUSAF was majorly set up to contribute to the realization of universality in access and use of communications services in Uganda through the establishment of communications projects in areas that are left unserved or underserved by the market operations.

UCUSAF has since evolved to have a broader mission of achieving digital inclusivity beyond rural and urban demographics. UCUSAF is currently implementing its 4th strategic cycle under the strategy to achieve “Digital Inclusivity through Sustainable Interventions and Impactful Collaborations.” The gadget comes with two solar panels, one behind the device and another small one that can be erected in the compound of the beneficiary.

While flagging off the exercise, Mr. Taban Peter Data, the Resident District Commissioner, appreciated UCC for considering Adjumani among the 38 districts under phase IV of the project. He, however, rallied the beneficiaries to jealously guard the devices against thieves.

Mr. Emmanuel, however, told beneficiaries that UCC had already locked the device to prevent it from being stolen. He, however, said that the commission shall frequently visit the households to check the progress of usage. He added that the main objective of the pilot project is to enhance the usage of digital devices and services.

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By Bazio Doreen.

Adjumani District leadership has convened a meeting with all health facilities in charges in the district to strategize how to maintain service delivery amidst the halting of funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This follows an executive order by H.E. Donald Trump, President of the United States, directing that all funding through USAID should be halted.

Hon. Anyama Ben, the District Chairperson, says the need to re-strategize is critical to evade the collapse of the health system set in place, avoidable deaths, and bridging the funding gap. While providing a temporary solution, Chairman Anyama offered fuel for six months for the transportation of samples to Kampala.

Impact in Adjumani.

According to Mane Dolorence, the HIV focal person, immediate re-alignment of programming is key because the withdrawal of the funding support will affect: 28 staff at Adjumani Hospital, Mungula HC IV, Pakele HCIII, and Dzaipi HCIII; operation of the ART Clinic, male circumcision, and outreaches; delivery of ARVs, condoms, and lubricants in isolated critical areas; HIV prevalence among young people (2 new infections per day); data compilation on HIV/AIDS, Leprosy, and Tuberculosis (TB); monitoring of viral load for HIV patients; delays in TB diagnosis and transportation of 83 TB drug-resistant drugs to Arua for monthly review.

Recommendations.

Dr. Drametu Dominic, the District Health Officer, says that the Ministry of Health has already met with all his counterparts countrywide, and it was agreed that the withdrawn services should be integrated into routine government programming and encourage the affected staff to mentor government workers on the skills required for continuity of service delivery during the 3 months the United States will be reviewing their support to developing countries under the USAID. 

The meeting also suggested other interventions like: fast-track the recommendation/resolution passed by the Uganda AIDs Commission directing local governments to allocate 0.5% of their total budgets to finance interventions towards HIV/AIDS prevention; lobbying support from other donors; allocating funds to maintain one hub rider (transporting samples); encouraging patients of the affected interventions to contribute towards continuity of the services; encouraging health facilities to commit/contribute resources in a pool (District Health Office) for continuity of critical services; and encouraging health facilities to redistribute resources according to emerging priorities.

General challenge.

In the health sector, USAID funding has been instrumental in combating infectious diseases, improving maternal and child health, and strengthening health systems. Programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) to thousands of HIV-positive individuals. The withdrawal of funding will lead to interruptions in treatment, putting patients at risk of drug resistance and increased mortality. There are currently more than 1,416,800 people on ARV treatment across 2,051 health facilities. The suspension of services will mean immediate disruptions in care for thousands of individuals dependent on consistent medication.

Among the most affected are pregnant women living with HIV, who rely on PEPFAR for treatment to protect their health and prevent mother-to-child transmission. In Uganda alone, 41 newborns are estimated to contract HIV every day during the stoppage. Over 90 days, this could lead to more than 3,690 babies being born with HIV, many of whom will also go undiagnosed due to the suspension of infant HIV testing services. These infants face a significantly higher risk of mortality if they do not receive immediate treatment.

Beyond direct beneficiaries, Uganda’s healthcare workforce is also severely impacted. The country has 20,809 PEPFAR-supported healthcare providers, including 923 doctors, 1,622 nurses and midwives, 756 laboratory staff, and 12,551 community health workers. With stop-work orders in effect, many facilities will be left understaffed, making it difficult to provide even basic medical care. This will not only affect HIV services but also disrupt the broader healthcare system, straining already limited resources

USAID has supported immunization, malaria, and TB campaigns. Rural clinics will likely face shortages of vaccines, essential medicines, and health care staffing, resulting in a resurgence of preventable diseases. Maternal and child health services also face disruptions, potentially increasing maternal mortality rates.

END.

By Bazio Doreen.

By Bazio Doreen.

At least 4 out of 10 households in Uganda are moderate or severely food insecure, according to Uganda’s 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NHPC) report. Uganda also currently sits at 95th position out of 125 countries according to the 2023 Global Hunger Index. In West Nile, 48% of households are severely food insecure according to the NHPC report. In a region that is already prone to drought, the situation is further worsened by the hospitality of hosting the largest number of refugees in the country. With many households now receiving only 30% of food rations mainly cooking oil and grain; refugees in West Nile are now embracing agriculture as a resilience and coping mechanism – with solar irrigation offering a much-needed helping hand.

Testimonies.

In Terego District, Joseph Nakuni, 38, farmer and a resident of Alivu Village, Ndapi Parish, Omugo Sub County – an extension of Rhino Refugee Camp, says with a co-funding of shs 580,000/= for irrigation kits that cost shs 2.8 million in total, their Group started growing bio fresh potatoes after intervention from Danish Church Aid (DCA), an NGO. Building on the inspiration of the group earning shs 18 million in the first year of harvest, Nakuni also started his own 1.5 acre garden from which earns at least shs 3 million every season with the help of solar irrigation equipment which he got under UGiFT after paying shs 2 million as part of a co-fund.

“DCA was initially looking for farmer groups to grow bio-fresh potato which is nutritious for malnourished people and can be used to make potato flour for making porridge, chapati, and cakes. Seeing the opportunity in solar irrigation, I also started my farm. Last season, I got shs. 1 million from selling tomatoes, shs. 700,000 from selling cabbages, shs. 500,000 from selling watermelons and shs. 800,000 from sweet potatoes,” Nakuni explains.

Another farmer and refugee in Morobi Refugee Camp, Obongi District, Edward Lubang, 52, says embracing solar irrigation and establishing his garden, has enabled him to not only effortlessly fulfill his family’s basic needs but they are now healthier. Unlike 3 years ago, Lubang invested a capital of shs 300,000/= but now earns at least shs 15 million from growing vegetables which by affordability have a ready market thanks to a solar water pump received under the government’s Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program (UGiFT) which has a 25% co-funding requirement depending on the nature of farm and equipment required.

“I started when the plot of land I had was less than a quarter acre but right now I can hire more than two acres to grow vegetables. Feeding at home is no longer a problem, my children eat better, and I bought a tricycle and cattle. My target now is to raise shs 20 million in the next dry season,” Lubang says.

Similarly, in the nearby Maaji 1 Refugee Settlement in Adjumani District, Alumai Michael, 38, a refugee, and beneficiary of Ayuda En Accion says with improved access to water, they have been able to prioritize growing tomatoes and cabbages which earns them between shs 3 and 4 million each season. According to Alumai, who is the Chairperson of Atetapkwe Itego Youth Group which started in 2021, the group currently has 10 members, with 4 of them refugees. They got a solar water pump of shs 4,140,000/= from Sun Culture at a cost of shs 1,656,000/= as part of a co-fund with Ayuda en Accion.

“Initially, the women in the group used to fetch water from the nearby stream for us to water which made us get losses in cassava growing because it wasn’t sustainable. With the solar pump now available, we have since transitioned to vegetable growing which is more profitable and promising,” Alumai revealed.

When Palm Corps intervened in Madi Okollo district to uplift the lives of refugees through smart agriculture, by giving out solar water pumps to refugees in the camp, YK Duku, a resident of Odubu Zone, Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, took advantage of this donation and ventured into vegetable farming and was fortunate enough to supply tomatoes to Arua Main Market. He says he used the proceeds from the sale to acquire a motorcycle which has not only solved the challenge of transporting his produce but is a source of additional income. 

“When Palm Corps intervened, we were 50 who showed interest but later, others lost it. However, a few of us continued to get knowledge which has transformed our lives now. World Food Program only provides us with Posho, beans, and cooking oil which is insufficient amidst other basic needs,” Duku observed.

Women are also starting to appreciate the benefits of solar irrigation. For Zumura Viko, a resident of Rakatura Village, Kululu Sub County, Yumbe District; her fortune was struck by luck.  Among the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA)’s 30 members, she benefitted from a motorized borehole established for Umaruku Farmer Field School by Welthugerhilfe, an organization working in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement. While they started farming in 2021, their efforts were frustrated by a lack of ready access to water due to the unreliable rainfall patterns. The group now earns at least shs 6.5 million from vegetable sales each season.

“To get clean water, you would have to walk about 10km away from the village so we looked at watering crops as a waste of water. Apart from growing cassava and simsim as a group, I tried to plant some tomatoes and onions around my home twice but because of the unreliable rainfall patterns, they all dried up and I got nothing because I couldn’t water them due to the challenges of getting water,” Zumura revealed.

Background of interventions.

In 2022, Uganda launched the Sustainable Energy Response Plan for Refugees and Host Communities 2022-2025 (SERP) to enable all host and refugee communities to attain universal access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy for socio-economic transformation in an environmentally sustainable manner.

In efforts to implement the SERP, several NGOs have embraced Solar Irrigation Interventions since 2022 to create for the refugees hope away from home. The different partners implementing Productive Use of Sustainable Energy/Productive Use of Energy projects in West Nile include Mercy Corps, JICA, Welthugerhilfe, Palm Corps, Fermi Nature, Food and Agricultural Organization, Lutheran World Federation, GIZ, Self Help Africa, Action Against Hunger, and Food for the Hungry.

Besides the SERP, the government has drafted and developed the Uganda Solar Water Pumping Report (July 2019); National Irrigation Policy (November 2017); District Development Plans;  and National Road Map on Scaling Up Productive Use of Solar Energy and Revised Energy Policy for Uganda (2023). The government has also further implemented programs like the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP), Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Irrigation Development and Climate Resilience Project (IDCRP), and the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program Project for Uganda (UGiFT). Though with unique challenges on either side, the government and NGOs haven’t been able to achieve the anticipated level of uptake.

 Challenges.

The journey hasn’t been rosy. According to Andama Alexander, Project Manager, Palm Corps – Adjumani District, during the time they made interventions, they realized that many refugees prefer fully funded solar water pumping kits. Many refugee households also have low, irregular, or seasonal incomes, which affects their ability to pay for off-grid solutions. On average, 60% of their monthly income is spent on food expenditures, followed by other necessities. This makes most refugee households unable or unwilling to pay for energy products in one lump sum with service providers wary of extending credit due to the risk of consumer default. This is not unique to them alone.

Laze Dennis, Sales Manager – Sun Culture, Adjumani, testifies that out of the 28 solar water pumps so far given out since July 2024, 21 were taken on credit adding that refugees only picked interest because of the subsidization based on their previous 2 years’ experience in Uganda. Previously, between January and June 2024, there were no refugees interested until NGOs came in with a subsidy.

Government programs aren’t spared either. According to Francis Abiriga, the Madi Okollo District Agricultural Officer, and also the Focal Person for the UGiFT Micro Scale Irrigation project, says that the usage of solar irrigation by small-scale farmers still stands at 1% due to the high cost of co-funding under interventions for both NGOs and government.   Under UGiFT for example, the program is conditioned by a 25% high co-funding rate which some farmers cannot afford. The government pays between 25% – 75% of the total cost of the equipment depending on the acreage and nature of the farm with a maximum cost of shs 7.2 million. This means that a farmer may pay between shs 2 million and shs 8 million. Abiriga also believes that the provision of tractors and subsidies to the community would increase production and peaceful co-existence between the refugees and the host community.

However, even with the subsidies in place, some projects were futile. Annet Lekuru, the Executive Director – of Fermi Nature Uganda, Ma’di Okollo District, says some projects haven’t been sustained due to:  vandalism, poor attitude of refugees towards farming, the conflict between the landlords and refugees, and lack of skills among the farmers to operate the solar pumps. Scalability has also been a challenge as some service providers and NGOs lack the capital to expand to other refugee settlements, which requires policymakers to intervene.

Enhancing uptake.

According to Paddy Bakengana, the Program Manager – Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA), the institution intends to run a solar energy uptake campaign in all refugee settlements starting in November 2024. With support from GIZ, which will be paying up to 60% of the cost of technologies for beneficiaries, the institution intends to demonstrate the way how solar technologies work to improve uptake. This is key for sectors like Agriculture where Paddy estimates that only 5% of small-scale farmers have access to solar technologies/equipment.  

Currently, the USEA is also advocating for the introduction of incentives to solar energy beneficiaries by January 2025 – something similar to carbon credits. This move, Paddy believes will not only increase uptake but counteract myths that solar technologies are facilitating climate change by polluting the environment. But this is not enough, there is a need for innovation and creativity to scale up awareness and build credibility in the sector.

In agreement, Erasto Kivumbi Muwanga, Livelihood Officer, UNHCR Sub Office, Pakele–Adjumani, observes that refugees are used to handouts from UNHCR, OPM, and other partners and thus dialogue is needed for mindset change. Sensitization on the available projects should be taken to settlements instead of relying on radio talk shows alone.

About SERP.

The SERP has pillars of Standalone solar-powered off-grid solutions; Energy-efficient appliances for the grid and off-grid use; Smart financing, subsidies, and supplier incentives; Solar kiosks and solar power hubs/centers; and Solar thermal systems (e.g. for cooling or drying fruits, vegetables, and herbs).

The SERP is linked to the Final Water and Environment Sector Refugee Response Plan by contributing to the achievement of this plan’s objectives to reduce the overexploitation of resources, improve access to sustainable energy, and improve the sustainable management of water supply in refugee settlements. The SERP also overlaps with the Jobs and Livelihoods Integrated Response Plan for Refugees and Host Communities by supporting an increase in affordable on-grid and off-grid energy solutions to increase business competitiveness in refugee settlements and host communities.

West Nile has 314,624 refugees according to the 2024 Uganda National Population and Housing Census report. 79.1% of households are involved in agriculture. 3.5% of households practice irrigation. About 40% of the world’s food production is currently facilitated by irrigation. In a world that is warming up quickly, irrigated agriculture is becoming more and more crucial for both food security and climate resilience.

In Uganda, 33% of the population is unable to meet their basic needs due to the absence of sufficient access to energy. Until recently, access to energy was not prioritized in interventions with displaced populations, as securing food and shelter was a more pressing need. However, increasing access to energy for productive use is now considered a key part of achieving long-term resilience and self-reliance within the refugee and host populations, which is one of the main pillars of Uganda’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).

This story was produced with the support of the African Media Excellence (ACME) in Partnership with the Charles Steward Mott Foundation.

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By Bazio Doreen.

As Uganda explores avenues for economic growth and diversification, fish farming, or aquaculture, continues to emerge as a highly promising sector. With the country’s vast water resources covering 18% of the surface area, favorable climate, and increasing domestic and international demand for fish, Uganda offers a compelling investment opportunity in fish farming. Over the past decade, fish farming in Uganda has seen substantial growth.

With arguably one of the largest markets in Northern Uganda, the estimated 340 fresh fish traders in Adjumani District on average sell 1,354 tonnes of fish each year, 113 tonnes per month, and 28 tonnes per week. Fresh fish farmers in Adjumani source their fish mainly from the lake and river (Albert Nile) and middlemen. In the nearby Moyo and Obongi districts, which are separated from Adjumani by the River Nile at Laropi and Palorinya landing sites, respectively, the two major markets for fish in the Ma’di Subregion, there is an extremely lively trade in both fresh and processed catches from the river. Consignments are delivered every day to these markets from the landings of Laropi, Palorinya, Obongi, Liri, Ara, Pamujua, Magburu, and other more minor sites by scores of petty traders who carry their loads by foot or on bicycles. 

The value of the fresh fish market in Adjumani is estimated at shs 7.1 billion ($1,936,789) with an average price per kg at shs 5,241/= ($1.43), revenue per week at shs 147,877,950/= ($40,350), and revenue per month at shs 591,580,230/= ($161,399). Unfortunately, even with this seemingly vibrant business, 59% of the fresh fish produced is not exported. Traders mainly sell to the domestic market, where households are the main customers. Only 41% is exported to the DRC and South Sudan.

A 2023 study conducted by Ayuda en Accion, an NGO, reveals that only a third of fish traders in Adjumani use a fridge/freezer (powered by electricity) for storage and preservation, a move that is further frustrated by unstable power supply until recently when West Nile was connected to the national grid.

Solar energy thus provides an alternative. If the traders are to opt for solar-powered fridges, they would have to part with a weekly installment payment of shs 29,320/= ($8) on a pay-as-you-go down payment of shs 348,152/= ($95) against an average weekly income of shs 542,366/= ($148). Fish farmers can afford solar fridges on a pay-go model as the weekly loan service fee of shs 29,320/= ($8) is just 5.5% of their weekly revenues. But solar-powered technologies could even offer more opportunities to increase income by reducing post-harvest losses that are estimated to be between 5% and 10%.

Solar-powered technologies would favor both the storage of fresh fish and the drying of fish for exportation. Only 30% of traders use the fridge for storage, as most traders prefer other storage methods like drying (3%), covering with polythene (6%), open-air (9%), ice (12%), smoke (21%), and freshwater (18%).

Due to the usage of traditional methods, the Adjumani market can’t satisfy the high export demand for smoked fish, especially catfish, to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Up to 98% of dried fish is sold locally. To exploit this big export opportunity, there is thus a need for innovative renewable energy solutions like solar dryers.

With the sale of 41 tonnes per week, 166 per month, and 1987 tonnes annually, there is a high market size and value for dried fish. The current modes of drying, like smoking by charcoal (37%), salted sun drying (42%), and smoking by firewood (21%), used by traders, can’t sustain the big export market. With solar dryers, it would take less than roughly 24 hours to smoke fish and even reduce further the costs of between shs 5,000/= to shs 10,000/= of the finished product.

However, beyond the East African borders, the aquaculture sector can even be more ambitious. With the right infrastructure and quality standards, Ugandan fish can access lucrative international markets with the European Union, United States, and regional markets presenting export opportunities and thus contributing to foreign exchange earnings.

But a quality finished product that can compete on an international market starts with caution and creativity right from the point of production. As fish farmers set out to cast their nets far and wide, they need to start embracing solar lanterns, which could help avert challenges posed by kerosene lanterns, which can be both expensive and dangerous, thus increasing incomes by saving fuel expenses.

These enterprises represent a clear opportunity for the deployment of either community mini-grids or standalone solar systems. However, access to energy in general, let alone renewable energy in Uganda, is still low. Only 38% of Ugandans have access to some form of electricity. Although solar energy has picked up lately, it stands at a mere 8%.

Despite this, it is promising that of the 400 off-grid solar companies in Uganda, 55% serve the aquaculture sector through technologies for lighting, refrigerators, and solar water pumps. Until Uganda’s agriculture and aquaculture sectors are modernized with sustainably powered technologies, the country risks missing its development targets of reducing poverty, boosting prosperity, and creating jobs, especially for women and youth.

Apart from being the 7^th highest inland fishery production in the world, the aquaculture sector in Uganda supports the livelihoods of over 5.3 million people and directly employs over 1.2 million people. Most importantly for Adjumani, which hosts about 244,374 South Sudanese refugees, fish from the river is the only regularly available source of animal protein for the displaced, who otherwise depend heavily on the assistance of relief agencies for the provision of basic needs.

This article was produced with the support of the African Media Excellence (ACME) in partnership with the Charles Steward Mott Foundation.

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By Bazio Doreen.

According to estimates by USAID’s Uganda Off-Grid Energy Market Accelerator Report, farmers could increase their income by 30% through value addition and efficiency if they employed the productive use of energy (PUE). However, the adoption of PUE technologies by the agriculture sector has so far been limited, with even less uptake among refugee households. Beyond mere sustenance of livelihoods, agriculture offers refugees additional opportunities to cultivate hope and generate extra income thus contributing to the economic development of their host communities.

In 2022, Uganda launched the Sustainable Energy Response Plan for Refugees and Host Communities 2022-2025 (SERP) to enable all host and refugee communities to attain universal access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy for socio-economic transformation in an environmentally sustainable manner. Indeed, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and various development and implementing partners have been able to create hope away from home for the refugees in fulfillment of the SERP.

Beneficiaries’ testimonies.

Since 2023, Ayuda en Accion (AeA), has been able to give out 163 solar water pumps through its partners, Tulima Solar and Sun Culture in Adjumani, Obongi, and Lamwo districts. Under Tulima Solar, the solar pumps are given out at shs 900,000/= for host communities and shs 720,000/= for refugees but with shs 70,000/= if paid in installments while Sun Culture gives them out at shs 2 million for host communities (AeA pays 50% for the farmer) and shs 1.6 million for refugees (AeA pays 60% for the farmer). The Pilot of the project was done in 2023 and now phase II which started in July 2024 is expected to end in December 2025.

According to Mr. Alumai Michael, 38, a beneficiary under Sun Culture and Chairperson of Atetapkwe Itego Youth Group in Maaji I Refugee Settlement, Ukusijioni Sub County – Adjumani District, with improved access to water, they have been able to prioritize growing tomatoes and cabbages which earns them between shs 3 and 4 million each season. The group started in 2021, and currently has 10 members, with 4 of them refugees.

“Initially, the women in the group used to fetch water from the nearby stream for us to water which made us get losses in cassava growing because it wasn’t sustainable. With the solar pump now available, we have since transitioned to vegetable growing which is more profitable and promising,” Alumai revealed.

Alumai demonstrates how the solar water pump works. Photo by Doreen Bazio.

Similarly, in Yumbe District, with support from Welthugerhilfe, an organization working in the Bidibidi Refugee settlement; Umaruku Farmer Field School has seen their fortune change. Started in 2021, the group consists of 30 members and besides farming, the group members also participate in the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA).

Yassin and another group member in their garden. Photo by Elema Robert.

Mr. Yassin Ayimani, 43, the Chairperson of the group and a resident of Rakatura Village in Kululu Sub County, in Yumbe district, says, they first selected cassava production as their main enterprise but they always got losses because they mainly depended on rainwater. The choice of cassava was because it can survive in the hot sun as long as it sprouts. They have since transitioned to tomatoes and cabbages and haven’t looked back.  

“When Welthugerhilfe brought the idea of motorizing our borehole, we were very excited because they also shared the plan of supporting us with irrigation equipment if we secured an acre piece of land near the water point. The irrigation system is helping us to benefit a lot because the vegetables can be planted at any time and there is a ready market for them, unlike cassava. In the first harvest, we realized Shs 6.5 million from the sales of tomatoes and cabbages and the money has been put in our VSLA so, we have about Shs 14 million including our money for the savings,” Ayimani excitedly narrated.  

In Ma’di Okollo and Adjumani, Palm Corps, between 2019 and 2022, gave out solar pumps to 25 groups (15 – 21 members) in each district. In Ma’di Okollo, it was implemented in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement while in Adjumani it was done in Maaji and Pagirinya Refugee Settlements.   

Duku demonstrates how to use the solar pump at Odobu Zone in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement. Photo by Victor Andama.

YK Duku, a South Sudanese Refugee at Odubu Zone, Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, narrates that, in 2023, he supplied tomatoes to Arua Main Market. He says he used the proceeds from the sale to acquire a motorcycle.  

“When Palm Corps intervened, we were 50 who showed interest but later, others lost it. However, a few of us continued to get knowledge which has transformed our lives now. World Food Program only provides us with Posho, beans, and cooking oil which is insufficient amidst other basic needs,” Duku observed. 

Challenges.

Refugee households lack available land for farming amidst the ever-dwindling food rations and support from the World Food Program and other partners respectively. Moreover, Northern Uganda and West Nile are prone to drought. Many refugee households also have low, irregular, or seasonal incomes, which affects their ability to pay for off-grid solutions. On average, 60% of their monthly income is spent on food expenditures, followed by other necessities. This makes most of refugee households unable or unwilling to pay for energy products in one lump sum with service providers wary of extending credit due to the risk of consumer default.

Andama Alexander, Project Manager, Palm Corps – Adjumani District, reveals that during the time they made interventions, they realized that many refugees prefer fully funded solar water pumping kits.  At the end of the 4-year project, only 21 refugees benefitted out of 375 beneficiaries. This is not unique to them alone.

According to Laze Dennis, Sales Manager – Sun Culture, Adjumani, out of the 28 solar water pumps so far given out since July 2024, 21 were taken on credit adding that refugees only picked interest because of the subsidization based on their previous 2 years’ experience in Uganda. Previously, between January and June 2024, there were no refugees interested until AeA came in with a subsidy. However, there is still also evident competition from fuel pumps.

Similarly, according to Rodrick Okello, Sales Manager – Tulima Solar, which serves Lamwo, Obongi, and Adjumani districts, only 2 refugees in Adjumani (out of 7) have taken the solar pumps since May 2024.  However, 18 have been sold in the Lamwo district and 110 in the Obongi District. He observes that the low uptake among refugees is because they think it should be free of charge.

 However, some of the projects were futile as they have since collapsed. Annet Lekuru, the Executive Director of Fermi Nature Uganda, Ma’di Okollo District, says some projects haven’t been sustained due to:  vandalism, poor attitude of refugees towards farming, the conflict between the landlords and refugees, and lack of skills among the farmers to operate the solar pumps. Scalability has also been a challenge as some service providers and NGOs lack the capital to expand to other refugee settlements, which requires policymakers to intervene.

Government Effort.

Besides the SERP, government has drafted and developed the Uganda Solar Water Pumping Report (July 2019); National Irrigation Policy (November 2017); District Development Plan IIIs;  and National Road Map on Scaling Up Productive use of Solar Energy and Revised Energy Policy for Uganda (2023). Government has also further implemented programs like Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP), Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Irrigation Development and Climate Resilience Project (IDCRP).and The Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program Project for Uganda (UGiFT). These however, also have their own challenges as they aren’t any different from those of NGOs.

 Francis Abiriga, the Madi Okollo District Agricultural Officer, and also the Focal Person for the Micro Scale Irrigation project, says the program is aimed at increasing solar irrigation accessibility to the citizens but this has been conditioned by high co-funding rate which some farmers cannot afford. Abiriga says the 25% rate is too high which the government should review in order to have solar irrigation promoted among the communities. Currently, Abiriga says the usage of solar irrigation at community level stands at 1%, which is against the efforts put to conserve environment. Since government programs entirely target the citizens, Abiriga also believes that provision of tractors and subsidies to the community would increase production and peaceful co-existence between the refugees and the host community.

Enhance uptake.

To provide some sort of explanation on the low uptake from refugees, Erasto Kivumbi Muwanga, Livelihood Officer, UNHCR Sub Office, Pakele – Adjumani, observes that refugees are used to handouts from UNHCR, OPM and other partners and thus dialogue is needed for mindset change.

In agreement, David Okello, Project Manager, Ayuda En Accion, also says sensitization on the available projects should be taken to settlements instead of relying on radio talk shows alone. This he says is key because the refugees are vulnerable, and can’t afford the pumps. However, access to subsidies or co funding would be help increase uptake.

Rodrick also says subsidies will enable to increase the number of sector players/service providers from the current 5 – 6 to the ideal 25. He also says, there is a need to map out areas with high vegetable production potential. This is very important for sustainability of the projects when the partners/NGOs/government phases out.

In efforts to implement the SERP, a number of NGOs have since embraced Solar Irrigation Interventions since 2022. The different partners implementing PUSE/PUE projects in West Nile include: Mercy Corps, JICA, Welthugerhilfe, Palm Corps, Fermi Nature, Food and Agricultural Organization, Lutheran World Federation, GIZ, Self Help Africa, Action against Hunger, and Food for the Hungry.

The SERP has pillars of: Standalone solar-powered off-grid solutions; Energy-efficient appliances for grid and off-grid use; Smart financing, subsidies, and supplier incentives; Solar kiosks and solar power hubs/centres; and Solar thermal systems (e.g. for cooling or drying fruits, vegetables, and herbs).

The SERP is linked to the Final Water and Environment Sector Refugee Response Plan by contributing to the achievement of this plan’s objectives to reduce the overexploitation of resources, improve access to sustainable energy, and improve the sustainable management of water supply in refugee settlements. The SERP also overlaps with the Jobs and Livelihoods Integrated Response Plan for Refugees and Host Communities by supporting an increase in affordable on-grid and off-grid energy solutions to increase business competitiveness in refugee settlements and host communities.

In Uganda, 33% of the population is unable to meet their basic needs due to the absence of sufficient access to energy. Until recently, access to energy was not prioritized in interventions with displaced populations, as securing food and shelter was a more pressing need. However, increasing access to energy for productive use is now considered a key part of achieving long-term resilience and self-reliance within the refugee and host populations, which is one of the main pillars of Uganda’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).

This story was developed and published through a story grant funding from Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC).

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By: Amacha Goli.

Adjumani, (UG):- The countdown for the election of the Lopirigo of Madi is on following the successful endorsement of the Constitution of the Madi Cultural Institution (Opi Madi Dri i) and the Electoral Guidelines by the clan chiefs in a meeting held at Adjumani district council hall on August 6, 2024.

During the heated meeting, which was co-chaired by Mr Ramadhan Mawadri and Mr Anyama David, District Community Development Officers (DCDOs) of Adjumani and Moyo respectively, the chiefs have unanimously agreed to have the elections conducted on August 23rd, 2024, following a resolve on the elections’ guidelines that MADCEF prepared.

Five clan chiefs have shown interest in contesting for the seat of Lopirigo (Paramount chief) the head of Madi Cultural Institution.

Amacha Goli, DailyExpress’ Bureau chief in West Nile and Board Member Media4All, Uganda brings to you the profiles of the five chiefs who have confirmed their interest in vying for the coveted position of the Lopirigo of Madi Cultural Institution.

The Interim Lopirigo of Madi Opi Drani Stephen Izakare.

The Interim Paramount Chief Opi Drani Stephen Izakare chief of the Palanyua clan, would not disclose details of his academic profile to our reporter. Still, sources close to his throne reveal that during his primary school days, he was among the devoted parishioners of Kampala Miracle Centre it was from there that a foster parent from England identified him and took them to England for further spiritual nurturing.

He was elected in 2011 to serve for 5 years as interim Lopirigo of Madi. He assigned the task of revitalizing the Madi cultural Institution by preparing the ground for the election of a substantive Lopirigo an assignment he failed to accomplish and instead indulged in agendas targeting personality progress amidst further dissolute gaffes.

Opi Drani commands some degree of exposure based on his long spell in Europe and his cross-culture collaborations’ after he was elected in the executive committee of Africa Union (AU) Cultural Institutions Association.’

Opi Drani is the nephew of the first Lopirigo of Madi  Opi Izama Angelo of the Palanyua clan, following the constitutional amendment of 1963, that recognized other cultural institutions in Uganda, district councils were then instructed to ensure that each district has a paramount chief, and that was when Madi district council approved Izama Angelo as Lopirigo of Madi.

Izama Angelo is the father of the Supreme Court Judge Christopher Izama and the grandfather of former Daily Monitor journalist, now Board member of Uganda Investment Authority Izama Angelo.

Opi (Chief) Suru Simon Baru of Pakele Chiefdom.

The Chief of Pakile Chiefdom Opi Suru Simon Baru the VIII is 66 years old, he holds a diploma in Gender and Development with a summative wealth of working experience both in the government and private sector, he worked in the Uganda police force in the regime of president Idi Amin Dada.

After the fall of the government of President Amin, he joined civil service and briefly served as parish chief, he was elevated to the position of sub-county chief and deployed in the greater Pakele (Pakele sub-county, Pakele Town council, Ofua sub-county and Itirikwa sub-county), and then rose to the post of County chief and deployed in East Moyo County.

Opi Suru then joined politics and was elected the LCIII chairman of Ofua sub-county and upgraded to district local Councilor in the then Moyo district council, He left politics and joined refugees Operations serving as the deputy refugees desk officer OPM in Adjumani.

Back to politics and represented the people of Ofua Sub County in Adjumani district council before retiring to serve his subjects in Pakile Chiefdom when Madi Elders Forum led by Mama Angela Kaba (RIP) plotted the advocacy for the restoration of Madi Cultural Institution in 2010.

He participated in the pacification of Apaa conflict when he was named a member of the Madi peace team that was headed by the former prime minister Hon. Rukuhana Rugunda the team successfully completed the task assigned to them and handed over the report to President Yoweri Museveni.

He is married to a Madi woman with a number of children who are actively involved in their own capacities in the development of the district and Uganda.

Opi (Chief) Avuku Simon Kutulungu 1V of Metu Li.

After the death of Chief of Metu Li, Daniel Kutulungu III, there was a vacuum which was recently filled by Opi Avuku Simon Kutulungu the IV, he was installed by a council of Pamujo Elders on June 22, 2024, in a low-key ceremony that was witnessed by the Moyo assistant RDC Mr. Julius Nyerere.

Opi Avuku Kutulungu IV, went to the prestigious Kings College Buddo for his Advanced Level secondary education and joined Makerere University where he obtained a degree in Social Works and Social Administration (SWASA).

Opi Avuku secured his first job with New Vision Printing and Publishing Corporations (Vision Group) as principal administrative officer serving for 10 years, a task he handled dedicatedly and with an excellent record.

 He decided to return home and joined local government as town clerk, Moyo town council. He made some strides in the development of Moyo Town Council, he laid the foundation for the construction of the current office complex. For reasons he could not disclose, Opi Avuku left Moyo town council after serving for 5 years.

Opi Avuku was engaged by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and held the position of Manager of Administration for 10 years, Opi Avuku is 58 years old, a family man, married to a Muganda lady and happily settled with children.

The reigning Palaro Clan chief, Opi Zackary Beka.

The reigning Palaro clan Chief Opi Beka Zachary was born on  November 5, 1956. He is a clan chief who has been in the spotlight of Madi Cultural Institution, In January 2024, he invited Gen.Muhoozi Kainerugba (MK) for his installation ceremony but MK was represented by Kitgum woman MP Hon.Lilian Aber, the minister of state for relief in Office of Prime Minister.

Opi Zackary is a product of Lodonga TTC(PTC), graduating as a grade II teacher, his first assignment was in Odu Primary school in Pakele sub-county in the present-day Itirikwa sub-county where he had a very brief stint and later forsaken the profession.

 He later pursued a diploma in stores management during his 12 years stint as a fuel clerk with LWF and AAH both Implementing partners of UNHCR, During his tenure as fuel clerk, he maintained a glaring record until his contract ran out in 2007, Opi Zackary is amongst the visibly few well to do chiefs in Madi sub-region as he is overseeing a huge chunk of land and a reasonable herd of cattle.

Opi Akuti Moses Chokiri Debele IV of Adropi Elu clan.

The towering Opi Akuti Moses Chokiri Debele was born on May 18, 1964, he attended his elementary education at Biyaya primary school in Adjumani town council and could not advance till the opportunity presented after joining the Born Again churches.

Opi Chokiri attended theology school of the African Ministry in Entebbe in 2003-4 and attained a diploma in Theological studies.

He was elected treasurer of the Association of born again churches in Adjumani a position he held for 7 years before taking up the call to lead the people of the Adropi Elu clan.

Opi Chokiri is a farmer and a soft-spoken public speaker whose inspirational public speaking is in the epoch where most of the leaders in our country and Madi sub-region indulge in irrational and non-inspiring public communication.

The Madi people have been without a Cultural Institution for about 50 years after the government banned all cultural Institutions in the country following the 1966 Buganda crisis during the tenure of President Milton Obote.

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By Marko Taibot

The Bishop of Ma’di and West Diocese, Rt Rev Bishop Collins Andaku, has called up education stakeholders to support the sector to eradicate poverty and ignorance in the community. The Bishop made the call while presiding over the 20th anniversary of Mummy’s care Nursery and Primary in Adjumani. The Bishop lauded the proprietors of the school for investing in education observing that it would go a long way in transforming the lives of many people both refugees and nationals in the district.

“This is the best investment done for the people in this land, an institution where you are investing for the future of our land, an investment which is going to fight ignorance, fight poverty and moral decadency in society,” Andaku said. He added that “there are many people who are investing in things that destroy mankind, but this school is going to transform lives of many in the region.”

The Bishop also challenged the parents saying they are very key to the success of the education of their children before appealing to parents to always teach their children to be God-fearing as a core value of being successful in life.

Mr. Onesimus Dralega, the proprietor of the school while addressing the stakeholders pointed out that 20 years ago, reading with proficiency was a challenge and even learners in Primary Seven were struggling to read during examinations.

“I was one day invited as a chief guest to celebrate the best performance and at that time the best candidates passed in division three, and the whole district performed very poorly, we then said what could be done to improve performance, I did a pilot study and asked the authorities of the town council to allow me to start an early learning center,” Dralega said

He also noted that at the time they opened the school, there were only 4 learners and that brave parents had risked sending their children to them but now they boast of more than 500 with about 40% of the learners being refugees.

The Adjumani District Chairperson, Hon. Ben Anyama, applauded the school founders for opening Mummy’s Care Primary School which according to him has helped in decongesting some of the government schools that have high enrolment due to the presence of the refugees.

“Our schools are now congested, the classrooms are not even enough, the private sector has done a tremendous job by opening the private schools,” Anyama said.

According to the Head Teacher of the school, Mr. Justine Alule, the school has been performing well because of the motivation of the teachers, effective time management, and consistent study habits. The school started presenting candidates in the Primary Leaving Examination in 2015 when the school had no examination center number where 32 learners were presented and 27 passed in the second division and 5 division in three. Adjumani district has got 172 primary schools and 134 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. Celebrating 20 years of academic performance is a significant milestone for Mummy’s Care Primary School. It is a proud moment for the entire school community, including learners, teachers, and parents. Such achievements reflect dedication and commitment to education.

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By Bazio Doreen.

82% of refugee households in Adjumani face mental health issues commonly referred to as ‘riak-nhom’ (disturbed mind) in Diinka (The most prominent South Sudan Language) according to findings in a 2021 Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Baseline Assessment report done by Alliance Forum for Development (AFOD). A 2021 World Bank study also stated that refugees in Uganda are ten times more prone to experience depression symptoms with incidences much higher among females. As some of the victims share their experiences, it is now evident that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and other partners in Adjumani have created hope away from home for refugee women and girls facing mental health issues especially due to limited access to basic needs.

Beneficiaries’ testimonies.

One such beneficiary is Christine Kiliha who used to be among the 14% of refugees in Adjumani who abuse drugs. Kiliha, 36, a South Sudanese refugee living in Pagirinya, married, mother of 8, reveals that she started abusing drugs after failing to cope with the challenges that come with having a husband who is less supportive amidst the ever-dwindling food ration and limited access to other basic needs. Unfortunately, Kiliha, only received help from Lutheran World Federation (LWF) after she had miscarried and was in dire need of psychosocial support. All this was happening amid memories of how she almost lost her life when she first got pregnant at 13.

“I got pregnant at the age of 13 but out of fear to disclose, I continued to do manual labor until my father discovered my secret. My father threatened to kill me and I had to stay away from home for two months. I started marriage on a bad note and am now worried that my daughter is already facing the same at 11,” Kiliha narrates.

For Dudu Betty, 37, a widow, South Sudanese living in the Borooli settlement, and mother of 4, it was tough to cope with the sudden loss of her husband to a fatal accident. This she recalls made her have a miscarriage because she couldn’t take the thought of having to suddenly fend for her 4 children and the other 3 that her husband had brought into the home when they got married. This burden was however lessened when she attended group sessions organized by LWF with other widows.

“I was stressed and confused because I had just lost a stepson who was s supporting me and my husband fend for the family,” Dudu recalls.

Nabwire Martha, a clinical Psychologist with LWF, observes that they try to minimize relapses of beneficiaries into depression disorders by giving out financial grants to some of them. She also observes that this has enabled the women to become more productive because the project also empowers them to identify sources of income/livelihood. Those who were previously stigmatized are also supported to gain back their self-esteem in the community. In 2023 alone, LWF reached out to 2,902 women with funding from UNHCR and 553 women with support from other partners. LWF works in all the 19 refugee settlements in the district. However, as NGOs empower women, this comes with negative effects too. There is a risk of Gender-Based Violence, as many men feel that they are ignored or left out. The stronger and braver women leave their husbands to fend alone for the family.

Mary Candia, 44, a South Sudanese refugee from Kajokeji, widow, and mother of 7, left her husband who she reveals wasn’t supporting her to meet the family’s basic needs. She has since decided to resort to farming and doing casual work as a source of income. She also adds that the charcoal business had progressed but old age has now caught up with her and she can’t do much.

“After I lost my husband, I decided to get another man but I was forced to also abandon him because he wasn’t supportive. He couldn’t even fend for the 2 children that I had for him. When you don’t have money, it is easy to think about suicide. But that has since changed after receiving counseling. I use the little money I get for basic needs because I can’t afford school fees” Candia says.

Sr Alice Bunia, the officer-in-charge of Mental Health at Adjumani General Hospital, states that the district records at least 2,000 cases of mental health disorders and about 10 cases of suicide each year.

For Drania Unichi, from Nimule – South Sudan living in Maaji settlement, and married with two children, the case is quite different. She was abandoned by her husband when she was just 6 months pregnant. This was after they fought because he wasn’t supportive even while he is a farmer. She now does casual work and hairdressing to support the young family.

According to Alice Azunyo, a Child Protection Assistant – World Vision, under a 3-year (2022 – 2025) project funded by the Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they have reached out to 492 refugee women in Mungula and Maaji refugee settlements. Under the Problem Management Plus (PMP) Program, beneficiaries from Child Protection and VSLA engagements are identified to benefit from mental health sessions where they share their problems and possible solutions for advice and scrutiny. Alice also observes that due to the PMP program, there has been a decrease in cases of Gender Based Violence because women learn techniques to calm down emotions not only their emotions but those of their intimate partners. There has also been a decrease in child neglect and child abuse due to improved livelihoods, and reduced alcoholism. Women usually mistreat their children because they fear to attack their husbands/men.

This is very likely for women like Anzoa Gift who get married when they are helpless or vulnerable. Anzoa, 21, a South Sudanese living in Pagirinya, married with one child, was chased away from home after it was discovered that she was being courted by a boy. Unfortunately, she ended up with a man who wasn’t worth the effort. Her husband was shortly arrested for defilement. At the time, she was pregnant and had to start selling snacks to be able to start paying up the loan of her husband while he served his sentence and negotiated with the family of her co-wife. Abortion thus became an option but she was counseled out of it under a project by Tutapona, a mental health-focused NGO working in Adjumani.

“After my husband was arrested for defilement, I was so depressed because I felt so alone. I felt abortion was an option because I had entered marriage unwillingly,” Anzoa explains.

According to Asienzo Agnes, a Mental Health Field Facilitator, since 2014, Tutapona has run 3 projects in Nyumanzi, Borooli, Ayilo, Olua, Pagirinya, and Agojo settlements through a gradual process of psychosocial support and awareness, mentorship, referrals, exhibitions, and counseling that is needs-based. In 2023, they reached out to 191 women out of 340 beneficiaries.

Other interventions.

Indeed young people like Anzoa need innovative ways of helping them break barriers on mental health issues. Right to Play (RTP), an NGO working in Pagirinya settlement, Adjumani was creative enough to improve the skills and capacities of refugee and host community youth to support their psychosocial well-being and mental health through enriched access to safe sport. With funding from the Olympic Refugee Foundation, between August 2020 and July 2023, RTP in a consortium of 4 other partners has reached out to 11, 668 vulnerable youth between 15 – 24 years, in 4 refugee hosting districts through soccer, and netball. In Adjumani, RTP has enrolled 168 females, created 7 youth spaces, and 12 groups, done 12 home visits, and established 18 sports clubs.

In other similar projects, the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) and UN Women, between 2016 and 2020 implemented the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy project with about 28,225 women and girls’ beneficiaries receiving counseling, training on positive coping mechanisms and life skills after screening. Jesuit Refugee Services, another NGO, in 2023 also supported 1,387 women out of 1,744 beneficiaries to improve resilience, psychosocial well-being, and positive coping mechanisms to come to terms with past traumatic experiences and future shocks through training, sensitization and emergency support in thematic areas of child protection and Sexual Gender Based Violence. In a project that started running from December 2023 and ends in August 2025, Emesco Development Foundation has also so far treated 299 women out of 528 beneficiaries during the 36 out of 80 outreaches so far conducted in Agojo, Alere, Oliji, and Elema settlements.

Adjumani hosts about 244,374 refugees in 19 settlements. 85% (182,977) of the population are women and children.  55% of the 1,500,000 refugees living in Uganda are from South Sudan. The Refugee Response Plan (RRP) 2019-2020 emphasizes the reinforcement of MHPSS services and infrastructure as a key priority. However, according to UNHCR, as of October 2019, the RRP was funded at only 39%. Earlier this year, partners started joint efforts in Maaji and Ayilo settlements in Adjumani to be able to meet an increasing demand for mental health services. AFOD, an NGO that has been working in Adjumani since 2016 has also received funding under which they acquired 10 acres of land in Rende Village, Adropi Sub County, to construct a Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre. 

Government effort.

In April 2022, the Ministry Of Health (MOH), Uganda drafted and validated the first national mental health strategic plan (2022 -2026) which seeks to among other functions strengthen mental health response and provide comprehensive, integrated, and responsive mental health care. The subject of mental health has gained increased attention in recent years, with most initiatives focused on attempts to decentralize and integrate mental health into primary health care. Unfortunately, there are only 53 psychiatrists in Uganda, most in urban areas. The Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) working group in Kampala has been operational and meeting monthly since May 2019, with similar groups established at the settlement level. However, despite some positive reforms in Uganda’s mental health landscape, according to MOH the prevalence of mental health problems remained as high as 30% as of November 2023.

This story was published in partnership and with funding from Baraza Media Lab, Kenya.

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