By Bazio Doreen.

District leaders in Adjumani district have been tasked to strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) outreaches in rural communities so as to respond to the increasing number of teenage pregnancies and child marriage.

The call was made during a stakeholder’s meeting organized by Forum for African Educationalists (FAWE) at Dubai Country Resort on 11^th June 2025 to disseminate the Re-entry Guidelines and National Strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy.

While, data at the District Health Office, states that the average teenage pregnancy in Adjumani stands at 15% as of June 2025; in rural sub counties likes Adropi and Ofua it stands at 20% each. Apart from Adjumani Town Council whose rate stands at 12%, the rest of the sub counties are equally worrying as follows:  Arinyapi (18%), Pakele Sub County (17%), Ukusijoni (16%), Pachara (15%), Ciforo (15%), Dzaipi (15%), Itirikwa (14%), and Pakele Town Council (13%).

Goloba Rodgers, the Senior Probation and Social Welfare Officer, Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, said that the high teenage pregnancy rates in the sub counties means that many adolescent girls are out of school and the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Reproductive Health challenges. This, he observed needed a multisectoral approach especially at the village level because 23% of the school dropouts in Adjumani are because of Teenage pregnancies.

“We encourage and expect all the stakeholders to cascade the knowledge up to the village level. We need to work in and with the local communities to implement this strategy,” Goloba cautioned. 

According to data at the District Education Office, between 2020 and 2024, Adjumani registered 1,092 child marriages and 693 teenage pregnancies from in school adolescents.

Lulu Henry Leku, the Assistant District Health Officer In charge of Maternal and Child Health, observed that many SRHR programs and interventions are carried out in urban areas where services are easily accessible which leaves the rural communities sidelined. He also noted that teenagers in the urban areas are likely to access good parenting and knowledge on SRHR than those in villages.

“In the town centre, Children are more exposed to SRHR knowledge and services because their parents are more vigilant. Children in urban centres are also likely to sleep under the same roof with their parents which makes monitoring of their behavior and habits easier,” Leku noted.

Leku also noted that implementing the National Strategy on Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy would reduce maternal and prenatal mortality. He added that 28% of maternal deaths are contributed by teenage pregnancies.

“Many expectant young mothers still seek the help of birth attendants due to fear and stigma. This poses a risk since adolescents have bodies that haven’t fully developed to carry a baby to preterm. This is even made worse by the fact that they conceive without consent,” Leku explained.

The National Strategy on Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy (NSCM&TP) is a holistic, comprehensive framework that reflects the commitment of the Ugandan government to end the practice of child marriage and other forms of violence against girls including teenage pregnancy as a consequence of child marriage. The key strategic focus areas are; improved policy and legal environment to protect children and promotion of the girl child’s rights; improved access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, education, child protection services and other opportunities; changing dominant thinking and social norms related to child marriage in the communities; empowerment of both girls and boys with correct information to enable them recognize child marriage and early pregnancy as a gross violation of their rights and take mitigating action; and coordination, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the implementation effective of the strategy.

On her part, Hon. Ondoa Korina Ewakodra, the DLC Female Pakele Sub County, where Teenage pregnancy stands at 17%, called for improved parenting and scale up of mindset campaigns in rural areas to ensure that such unplanned pregnancies are not only avoided but also young mothers are supported by their families to receive good health care. 

“Parents need to protect their children during adolescent stage because they need a lot of monitoring. Many parents neglect their duties. They are not aware whether their children are at home or not. But being at home is not enough, in this dot.com era, a child can even be home but misbehaving online,” Hon. Korina noted.

The stakeholders meeting was attended by both technical and political leaders from Adjumani, and representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Ministry of Education and Sports.

The meeting was convened under the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) program, funded by Global Affairs Canada, and being implemented by a consortium led by Right to Play, in partnership with WaterAid, the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and FHI 360. The 5 year program ending in March 2026 seeks to empower 325,000 adolescents and youth aged 10-24, particularly girls and young women, both in and out of school, to demand better sexual and reproductive health care through a gender-transformative and rights-based approach.

In Adjumani, the SHARE Project is being implemented in 66 Primary schools, 8 Secondary Schools, 43 Health Centres and through four 30 member mentorship cohorts. These all target young people between 10 -24 years.

END.

By Bazio Doreen

Leaders and key stakeholders in Adjumani District have renewed the fight against bush burning and stray animals by advocating for the review of the ordinance 8 on environment and ordinance 6 on production as well as the District Contingency Plan (2022-2025).

The District Contingency Plan was developed to create and establish an efficient institutional mechanism for integrating disaster preparedness and management into socio-economic development in the district. Part III (19) of the Ordinance on environment that was enacted in 2015 states that a person shall not burn or set fire or cause to burn any bush or established woodlot, while part III (23 i) states that the District Veterinary Officer or police shall seize any animal of which there is reason to believe the owner has refused to take and keep charge of and shall take such an animal to the pound.

The call was made during a training on Disaster Risk Reduction convened by the Food for the Hungry Association (FHA) at the district headquarters on 14th May 2025, which was attended by the Resident District Commissioner, all District Councilors, Refugee Welfare Officers (RWCs), Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Settlement Commandants, Community Development Officers, Sub County Chiefs and Chairpersons, and Extension workers/staff.

While making his opening remarks, Hon. Ben Anyama, the District Chairperson, said that while the district has made an effort to put in place a Contingency Plan, the District Disaster Management Committee has been resource-constrained to effectively implement it, and many of the laws on bush burning and stray animals aren’t being enforced as expected due to the same challenge.

“Disaster happens every day, but the government hasn’t taken it as a serious issue… The District Contingency Plan is not a law; we can’t use it to implement… Disaster should have an annual budget because it is a cross-cutting issue,” Hon. Anyama said.

The training also resolved that all Sub County leaders should submit monthly reports to the District Veterinary Officer on the management of stray animals; tasked Veterinary Officers to ensure that all animals in their areas of mandate are branded; and called for the setting up of village committees to monitor bush burning in their communities.

Bush burning is a common practice in Adjumani district, especially during the dry season. Some people do bush burning to prepare land for farming, while others use it to improve grazing for their animals or hunting, while others do it as a tradition. In the process, property, which includes food crops in gardens, houses, and animals, gets destroyed, and in worse scenarios, human beings even get burnt.

On the other hand, the district continues to grapple with the management of stray animals because there are many stakeholders involved, including leaders at all levels, the courts of law, the Uganda Police Force, and the OPM.

Hon. Korina Ewakodra, the Secretary for Production, said, “there is a need to scale up multi-sectoral sensitization at all levels. The LCs are the ones inviting balaalos to their communities. This needs to be addressed.”

Meanwhile, Hon. John Sabuni, the Secretary for Health, noted that while the invasion of balaalos has contributed to frustrating the fight against stray animals, as a refugee-hosting district, the leaders have to do more to ensure that refugees only keep animals that they can manage.

“99% of the stray animals are owned by refugees. Refugees are grazing animals in gardens of the host communities, and OPM is supporting them 100%; that is our challenge. When you arrest culprits, OPM defends them. It is almost causing chaos,” Hon. Sabuni explained.

However, Mr. Kuai Ajak Deng, Chairperson of the Refugee Welfare Councilor II in Ayilo I Settlement, observed that OPM has made milestones to gradually change the mindset of refugees to effectively manage their animals while maintaining peaceful co-existence with their host communities.

“When we came here, we were very hostile because of the situation we were in at the time. But now we have reformed. We are now pleading for peaceful coexistence because we need it. We have agreed as RWCs that only animals allowed by us can be moved,” Mr. Ajak narrated.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Okware, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, appreciated this effort, noting that community problems need community solutions because bush burning and stray animals have persisted despite sensitization on the radio. 

According to data by the Global Forest Watch, there have been 249 Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRs) fire alerts reported so far in 2025 in Adjumani. The most fires of 391 were recorded in 2016. From 2001 to 2023, Adjumani lost 9 Hectares of tree cover from fires. On the other hand, in November 2024, 4 refugees were arrested in connection to disputes over grazing and allegations of armed robbery and theft. FHA is implementing the Ayiri Children, Youth, and Community for Change (CYCC) project in Maaji I, Maaji II (Ayiri Parish, Ukusijoni Sub-County), and Mungula (Itirikwa Sub-County) refugee settlements with a goal of creating a safe and enabling environment where children and youth thrive. 

By Bazio Doreen 

Authorities in Adjumani District, in collaboration with Right to Play (an NGO), have launched the Ugx 11.9 billion Ready to Learn Project in the district to improve learning outcomes and support 20,000 children in developing critical life skills through the power of play.

The three-year (2025-2027) project funded by the Lego Foundation aims to support the targeted children’s psychosocial well-being as they transition from 25 pre-primary schools (ECD) to primary education in 10 primary schools, targeting 20 teachers, 20 head teachers, and 4 staff from the District Education Office. In Adjumani, the school completion rate stands at 48%.

Speaking during the project inception meeting that took place at the district headquarters on 13th May 2025, Ms. Joseline Draleru, the Community Services Officer at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Pakele, who represented the Refugee Desk Officer, noted that the project would reduce Gender Based Violence, family separation, and child neglect.

“Some parents and caregivers lack skills on how to handle their children’s emotions, and this causes conflict as both the child and parent hide their feelings. Children and parents will become practical in relaying their problems to each other,” Draleru noted.

The project will be implemented in 8 refugee settlements: Maaji I, II, and III; Oliji; Nyumanzi; Agojo; Mungula; Pagirinya; Ayilo; and Borooli; and 6 sub-counties: Ofua, Ciforo, Dzaipi, Itirikwa, Pakele, and Adjumani Town Council.

Similarly, Ms. Sylvia Masika Hope, the Program Manager – Right to Play, observed that many parents not only have inadequate parenting skills to handle the emotions of their children, but some don’t play their role in ensuring that their children access education and have time to play.

“Many parents are not ready to support their children. They don’t know the importance of education and the role of play,” Masika observed. 

The project targets 4,500 parents/caregivers and will conduct 26 play to grow flex programs. These are parenting sessions that train ECD caregivers and parents on gender-responsive and inclusive playground approaches to foster children’s social-emotional learning and well-being. The sessions also seek to strengthen the relationship between parents and children.

Masika also observed that, just like parents, many teachers also lack the required knowledge and skills to know how to respond to children’s emotional needs while at school.

“Some teachers aren’t well equipped with knowledge on how to carry out learning in ECD with incorporation of play. We intend to keep them with skills on how to teach through emotional learning,” Masika explained.

On his part, Mr. Henry Lulu Leku, the Assistant District Health Officer In charge of Maternal Health, noted that “Even the most vulnerable person, when supported with education, can see light at the end of the tunnel. There is a need to include other aspects like nutrition and health because they form part of psychosocial well-being.”

In affirmation, Ms. Frances Dipio, the Senior Probation and Social Welfare Officer, noted that there is a need for the project to also cater to other aspects of social well-being both at school and in homes.

“Embracing school feeding program is still a challenge, especially in refugee schools, because of reduced food ration and funding… where children are well fed, you can also see that the performance is usually good,” Dipio noted.

The 2024 Uganda Food Security Report shows that malnutrition in refugee settlements in Adjumani stands at 7.1%. Right to Play has been implementing projects in Adjumani since 2017. The Ready to Learn project shall also be implemented in Obongi district in partnership with Global Fund for Children, Amma Foundation, War Child Alliance, AMREF, and Innovations for Poverty Action.

By Bazio Doreen

Authorities in Adjumani and the Royal Danish Embassy (DANIDA) have launched the Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI) project in the district, building on the milestones of the Northern Uganda Resilience Initiative (NURI) project that ended in 2023. NURI contributed to the resilience of over 130,000 households in Northern Uganda and provided agricultural advisory services to more than 4,000 farmer groups.

Funded by DANIDA and running up to December 2028, URRI is designed to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable development for refugees and host communities across Uganda, mainly operating in the areas previously supported under NURI.

In Northern and Western Uganda, the project will be implemented by a consortium of 7 partners led by Save the Children. The other partners in the consortium are World Vision, AVSI Foundation, Kabarole Research Centre Uganda (KRC), Uganda Network on Law Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET), Youth Social Advocacy Team (YSAT), and Uganda Response Innovation Lab (U-RIL).

In his welcome remark at the launch ceremony that took place at Lavic Hotel on Thursday, 8th May 2025, Hon. Anyama Ben, the District Chairperson of Adjumani, appreciated DANIDA for funding two critical projects (URRI and SAY) in the district, addressing pressing issues in production and reproductive health, respectively.

While pledging the district’s support to ensure that the project succeeds, the Chairman also thanked the embassy for choosing Adjumani and observed that the project would not only restore the environment but also improve food security and build resilience of the beneficiaries. 

“Thank you for choosing Adjumani because you could have taken this project elsewhere. We are going to support the implementation and make sure the project succeeds,” Hon. Anyama said.

Hon. Anyama added, “Our biggest problem now is food. When you don’t have food, you can’t be productive. The lack of food is likely to cause conflict in the district due to the large number of refugees we host. WFP needs to rethink. But we thank you for your support.”

The key Components of the URRI program include: Climate-smart agriculture training, financial inclusion initiatives, post-harvest handling, and Value-addition training. It will also offer support for alternative sustainable livelihoods, energy-saving technologies, leadership training for women and adolescent girls, and the cultivation of multi-purpose trees to benefit households and communities.

In response, H.E. Adam Spilimo, the Deputy Royal Danish Ambassador, who presided over the ceremony, explained that Adjumani was chosen for its generosity and hospitality, complemented by the long and enduring partnership with the local government that motivates continuous support.

“Adjumani is by far the most generous district, and that merits recognition. We recognize this not in words but with action and support. We know that hosting refugees puts a lot of pressure on the environment,” H.E. Spilimo appreciated district leaders.

 In affirmation, Taban Peter Data, the Resident District Commissioner of Adjumani, observed that the project will foster peaceful coexistence between the refugee and host communities, improve food security, and reduce degradation of the environment.

“WFP gave the refugees food, but no one gave them firewood to prepare it, and that is why we have seen continued deforestation for firewood. Feeding people for years is not sustainable; refugees should be supported to work and earn,” Taban observed.

Aligned to the National Development Plan IV (2025-2030) and with a total budget of shs 145 billion (USD 40 million), URRI aims to create sustainable and durable solutions for Uganda’s refugee-affected districts of Yumbe, Obongi, Moyo, Madi Okollo, Terego, Koboko, Adjumani, Lamwo, and Kyegegwa, where high levels of poverty have exacerbated the impact of refugees and climate change.

In Adjumani, the project will be implemented district-wide, targeting 7,404 households as direct beneficiaries and 49,388 as indirect beneficiaries. Of these, 4,442 will be women and youth, 222 Persons with Disabilities, and 2,962 men. These will also be arranged in 246 farmer groups, where 2,591 will be refugees while 4,813 will be from the host communities.

By Doreen Bazio—Adjumani District.

UN Women and Stanbic bank, Uganda, have partnered to advance the digitization of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), promote financial literacy, and improve access to critical services for refugee women and the host community in Dzaipi Sub County, Adjumani District.

At an event that took place at the Women’s Center in Nyumanzi Settlement on April 29th, 2025, the duo donated 35 smartphones and 1,250 fruit tree seedlings (jackfruit, mango, and avocado) to VSLAs, 334 mama kits to Nyumanzi HC II, and 133 reusable sanitary pads to girls and young women between 15 and 35 years old.

UN Women, with support from the Government of Norway and in partnership with Oxfam Uganda, Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), Refugee Law Project (RLP), and the Coalition on Action for 1325, is implementing the Leadership, Empowerment, Access, and Protection (LEAPII) project (2022-2025) across Adjumani, Yumbe, Kyegegwa, and Terego districts. In Adjumani, 2,990 beneficiaries are being targeted.

Testimony.

According to Rose Chandia, a beneficiary and member of Amesutakuru Savings Group, they received training in financial literacy, and this has shaped how they allocate and manage resources within their households. She also observes that this has since boosted the confidence and self-esteem of many women in the community because they feel their contribution is acknowledged and respected.

“I was able to take my son to secondary school after he completed primary seven. This made my husband start listening to my advice and taking my ideas seriously. We are now engaged in commercial farming, and our family income has since increased,” Rose said while expressing gratitude during the event.

The Amesutakuru Saving Group, based in Nyumanzi Settlement, is one of the 35 groups that received financial literacy training from WPDI. The groups save on a weekly basis for the host communities and on a monthly basis for the refugees. Their cumulative savings as of March 2025 stand at shs 213,400,000/=, loans stand at shs 181,100,000/=, and cumulative social funds are shs 30,430,000/=. The average loan per group stands at shs 5,174,200/=. The loans are picked and utilized for petty businesses, paying school fees, and attending to health-related matters. Additionally, 25 groups also received small business grants totaling shs 62,500,000/=. These collect revenue of between shs 800,000/= and shs 6,000,000/=.

Stakeholders speak out.

Speaking in affirmation, Dr. Catherine Poran, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stanbic Business Incubator, said the bank has purposed to drive the growth of the economy by improving access to affordable credit, strengthening financial inclusion, and addressing barriers to financial empowerment for marginalized communities like the refugees through their corporate social responsibility role. She also encouraged the beneficiaries to not only plant but also grow the fruit trees as a source of income in the future.

“We are not just a financial institution, but we also provide social services by being intentional about contributing towards addressing challenges that hinder economic empowerment for the people we serve,” Dr. Poran explained.

On why this partnership is key, Dr. Paulina Chiwangu, the UN Women Uganda Country Representative, said that digital and financial inclusion for refugee women is key because very few of them have access to smartphones/digital devices, and yet this acts as a hindrance to economic growth in a fast-paced technology environment where everything is now digital. 

“Only about 16.9 million women in Uganda have access to a smartphone. Uganda’s digital gender gap is more pronounced in rural areas and marginalized communities like those of refugees. I was once a refugee in South Sudan, so I know what empowerment means for you,” Dr. Chiwangu observed.

On his part, Hon. Kaijuka Richard Arthur, the District Vice Chairperson, thanked UN Women for the support and continued collaboration over the years. He thanked UN Women for contributing to peaceful co-existence between refugees and host communities by initiating contributions that conserve the environment, as large parts of it are depleted by the refugees for firewood.

“Adjumani is extremely hot partly because of how we continue to deplete the environment. Planting the trees is a good idea, but sustainability is also key. I urge you to continue supporting the beneficiaries to grow the trees,” Hon. Kaijuka advised. 

However, Mr. Jogo Titus, the Refugee Desk Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister Pakelle, said that Nyumanzi Settlement has a good reputation for sustaining interventions and was thus optimistic that they would do the same with the donations. He added that there was, however, a need for more support because the district receives refugees on a daily basis, and yet, on the other hand, the World Food Program hasn’t only reduced its monthly cash assistance from shs 14,000/= to shs 10,000/= per individual but also only gives food and not trees. He also requested for the support to be extended to the other 19 settlements.

About the project.

Since 2022, UN Women and WPDI have reached out to 2,830 beneficiaries, with 2,500 of them women. The LEAP II project has 4 components: Gender Action Learning System (441 beneficiaries), Climate Smart Agriculture (389 beneficiaries, 70 acres of commercial orchids), Business support (829 beneficiaries), and VSLAs (1,171 beneficiaries). The LEAP project aims to strengthen gender-responsive humanitarian programming, enhance women’s leadership and protection, and promote sustainable livelihoods for refugee and host community women and girls. Earlier this year (2025), UN Women and Stanbic bank, Uganda, signed a 2-year Memorandum of Understanding to extend the #StanbicForHer initiative, a corporate social responsibility campaign by the bank, to 4 refugee camps, including Adjumani. 

91% of refugee families in Uganda are very susceptible economically, with West Nile refugees having the greatest degree of vulnerability (96%) as compared to those in the Southwest (84%). This is mainly because relief assistance is the primary source of income for around 54% of the refugee families. However, now refugees are able to participate in economic activities, and this percentage has since decreased to 37%, according to Oxfam Uganda.

END.

By Bazio Doreen

Authorities and health facility managers in Adjumani have met to strategize how to improve performance on the WASH and infection prevention scorecard. This follows a dismal performance in water coverage, sanitation hygiene, and infection control at both the health facility and community levels.

According to a study conducted by WaterAid, an NGO implementing in the district, for the period between January and March 2025, the 43 health centers in the district had achieved an average of 58% in WASH and Infection control at their facilities. The study assessed the health facility based on 6 parameters: Water supply, sanitation facilities, health care waste management, Environment and cleaning, management and training, and hand hygiene. The findings show that: Water coverage stands at 68%, sanitation and hygiene stand at 56%, infection prevention stands at 62%, health care waste management stands at 64%, washroom management stands at 53%, and general cleaning and administration stand at 43%. 

While sharing the findings in a review meeting held at the district council hall on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, Onen David Livingstone, the SHARE Project Officer—WaterAid, noted that the findings were not only embarrassing but also suggested that the health facilities could be harboring diseases or infections, and this could potentially affect the health-seeking behaviors of patients due to loss of trust.

“This performance is unacceptable and way below the set standard. This is dangerous because one may visit the health center when you are not sick and leave with an infection. Some of you are even providing services without personal protective gear,” David noted.

The community is not spared either; the Village Health Teams (VHTs) were also accused of laxity in creating awareness, conducting surveillance, conducting sensitization, referrals, mappings, and offering minor treatment as ideal HC Is at the village level. According to records at the District Health Office, out of 50,373 households, 9,829 have no latrines, only 18,590 have improved latrines, 27,010 haven’t attained Open Defecation Free Status (ODF), and 4,665 still lack access to safe drinking water.

Atama Yunus, the District Biostatician, observed that the poor findings were mainly because of a lack of reporting by the VHTs due to limited motivation or education level, inadequate reporting tools, and lack of transport since some villages are quite big. Adjumani has 210 villages, 420 VHTs in the host communities, and 285 in the refugee community. He, however, quickly added that a new reporting tool will be rolled out in July 2025, and these concerns will be addressed before then.

In affirmation, Lulu Henry Leku, the ADHO-MCH, notes that if everyone played their part, clients at the Outpatient Department would continue to reduce by 1,000, as it has been the norm. He noted that this is key because health facilities are required to allocate up to 30% of their total budget for disease prevention and control with a target of conducting 48 outreaches. This, he said, isn’t debatable because these are assessed annually by the Office of the Prime Minister and contribute towards the general performance of the district.

While sharing his experience after his facility scored 100% in the study, Dima Felix, the Health Facility Incharge at Ajugopi HC II, said that they usually conduct mock assessments, motivate all key stakeholders like LCIs and VHTs to participate, the Health Assistant verifies the data, they do joint data screening, and they also leverage support from partners in the WASH sector.

“Everything is based on teamwork. We support and motivate each other to play their roles even without facilitation,” Felix revealed.

Building on the testimony, while making his closing remarks at the meeting, Hon. Sabuni John, the Secretary for Health, warned that the district leadership is aware that some health workers are fighting each other instead of working together and that they were ready to take appropriate action because they (especially the politicians) don’t want their opponents to leverage such loopholes.

“I hear some of you are playing politics on your colleagues. You leave that; it is not good. You need to improve… A weak politician may visit your Health centre and identify loopholes for their manifesto. Don’t give strength to our opponents to challenge us because we shall also deal with you after,” Hon. Sabuni warned.

The meeting was attended by health-in-charges, members of the District Health Office, and representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and Action Against Hunger. The meeting agreed on various recommendations and resolutions, including leveraging ongoing water projects to extend water to health facilities where it lacks, improving support supervision and motivation of VHTs through Health Assistants and Health Inspectors, conducting the 48 mandatory outreaches, exchanging visits between best and worst performing health centers, encouraging VHTs to frequently update their registers, and harmonizing the number of households per the catchment area of each health facility.

WaterAid is currently implementing the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project in Uganda, with support from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. The five-year SHARE project that ends in 2025 seeks to advance gender equality and increase the enjoyment of health-related human rights by vulnerable right-holders, particularly adolescent girls and young women. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) play a critical role in achieving SRHR for women and girls, especially as it relates to personal health.

Through SHARE, WaterAid has been partnering with the district to rehabilitate WASH systems in healthcare facilities, including installing handwashing units to prevent the spread of disease; restructuring sanitation facilities to ensure that toilets are inclusive and gender sensitive; training healthcare workers in healthcare facilities and in the community on WASH infection prevention and control; installing safe waste disposal systems; and training healthcare workers on proper waste management. 

By Bazio Doreen

What started off as lyrics/rumors in campaign songs has finally made its way into boardroom discussions and can now have a full Permanent Secretary brave an 8 hours’ drive on a murram dusty potholed road to find out facts. The masked rot and impunity at Adjumani’s Amelo Technical Institution is one that speaks for itself when one visits the institution. However, for one to understand why almost seven years later, the institution is only a shadow of other 11 counterparts countrywide, unearthing the truth goes beyond speaking to people that have access to the facility.

When Amelo Technical Institute was started in 2015 under the umbrella of Business Technical Vocational Education and Training Institution (BTVET) Strategic Plan of skilling Ugandans, many parents had hope that vocational education had been brought closer and would perhaps be cost effective. Located in Pakele Sub County, Adjumani District, West Nile Region, the institute is being hosted by the District Farm Institute along Adjumani – Gulu highway. However, its cardinal location (original buildings) is in Amelo Village, Adjumani Central Parish, Adjumani Town Council.

Many dreams of students in courses like: National Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics, National Certificate in Electrical Installation, National Certificate in Building Construction Planning, National Certificate in Tailoring and Garment Design, National Certificate in Welding and Metal Fabrication; now lie in uncertainty. The school had its first and last graduates in 2019 under a program sponsored by one of its then partners, ENABEL. We like to blame COVID-19 for everything that has gone wrong in the past few years but is Amelo’s case the same?

How trouble started

The Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni, was disappointed in 2015 when she visited the district to commission the institute after she found out that the work done was substandard. She tasked the Principal to vacate the premises and that is how the school ended up setting a base at the District farm institute.

“The building was not handed over. There is no boys’ dormitory. Plumbing and land scaping had not yet been done. We had occupied but she asked us to vacate.” Principal Ben Charles Kamba explains what happened.

Although some technocrats argue that the Minister had only come to inspect works carried out by her Ministry; why would someone inspect works when a building has already been occupied. However, in the space of about 5 years, 3 contractors abandoned the site until the District Leadership wrote a protest letter to the Minister that saw a Chinese firm finish the pending works. But the works stalled again after the last contractor lost the battle to COVID-19.

This was probably one of the reasons why the District Chairperson then (2016), Mr. Leku James Pili, and the Member of Parliament, Adjumani West Constituency, Gen. Moses Ali, got involved in the stewardship of the institution as part of the Board of Directors. They served alongside the current District Vice Chairperson, Mr. Kaijuka Richard Arthur; and current LCIII Chairperson – Pakelle Sub County, Mr. Kenyi Welborne.

Observers say this move brought more harm than good and cost the District Chairperson his seat in the just concluded elections because all the ill and impunity that took place was attributed to them as God fathers. However, Mr. Leku denies all these accusations.

“We only wanted to build a strong board with political influence. When we realized the institution had picked up, we quit in observance of the law.” Mr. Leku argues

After they had barely left, the Principal wrote a letter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports on 5^th August 2016 indicating that Mr. Okot Bala Nelson, an instructor had abandoned duty for some months. Consequently, the then CAO, Mawejje Andrew, instituted a 3-member team on 26^th October 2016 consisting of the officers from the Internal Audit Unit, Human Resource and the Education department to carry out an audit of the utilization of grants as well as verify the allegations. The institution then replied requesting the CAO to give them some time since the Principal had just got an accident and was still under medication which seemed ironical since they were the first to write to the Ministry about the abandonment of duty by the instructor.

“…. after the consultation and communication with the Principal …who everybody heard and witnessed of his unexpected accident and still under medication has authorised me to write that your coming is welcomed but needs his presence” the reply letter from the Deputy Principal read in part

Audit findings

The audit was later done on 20^th December 2016 and it was verified from the attendance book that indeed Mr. Okot had abandoned duty. It was also discovered that all accounting records and non- accounting records were locked in the Principal’s office who at the time of the audit was still absent.

The audit team were told that the keys were kept in Kampala with the Principal’s brother who would turn up with them as and when need arises. The bursar also confessed that he had no cash book for the government grants.

Another audit done on 5^th November 2020 though obstructed also found that no proper learning and teaching was ongoing. Indeed, CAO Jack Byaruhanga later wrote to the Permanent Secretary on 2^nd June 2021 about poor governance at the school after the partners like FAWE, NRC, ENABEL, GIZ sponsoring students there withdrew their support and further tasked her to institute a fact finding mission.

The Permanent Secretary only bowed to pressure on 29^th April 2022 when she claimed to be a fact finding mission but in reality she was left with no choice after a council resolution under minute:31/OCM/11/03/2022 to transfer the Principal elsewhere and protest letters written by both the District Chairperson, Mr. Anyama Ben, on 28^th March 2022 and his political rival Gen. Moses Ali on 4^th April 2022 who wrote to the Minister of Local Government and Minister of Education respectively.

Situation

The District Chairperson in his letter among other things further cited: loss, disappearance and under utilisation of assets (solar panels, portable generator, pick up vehicle, beds); loss of Friesian cows, 8 out of 60 goats; exodus of 12/23 staff; non-functionality of the Board of directors; only 43 out of 150 students available; withdrawal of funding by NGOs; stalled projects and denial of stakeholders to access the institute for audit and inspection.

“There are only 6 courses and 2 classrooms. The factual enrollment on ground is different from the one portrayed. The school management has a poor relationship with the community around” reveals Mr. Dralada Kennedy, the LC1 Chairperson Amelo Village.

The District Council in its 11^th March 2022 sitting tasked the CAO to institute and audit into the allegations – which was indeed later done on 18^th April 2022 and thereafter sat again on 30^th March 2022 where it recommended the suspension of the Principal based on the reasons of: Abuse of office, Mal-Administration, Incompetence of the Principal and lack of accountability and transparency.

“We want the Principal to step aside and allow for proper investigations to be carried out on all the accusations raised” the Secretary for Education, Kaijuka Richard Arthur advised.

The first District Council sitting followed a petition from the Student’s Guild as well as a meeting with the school staff and students chaired by the Woman Member of Parliament, Adjumani, Ms. Ababiku Jesca. On the other hand, during the 5th ordinary council meeting held on March 30, 2022, Kaijuka, informed the council that Gen. Moses Ali had dragged his feet in the earlier council resolution.

In a petition dated 1^st March 2022 signed by the 12-member Student Guild and addressed to the District Education Officer, they accuse the Principal of abseentism and poor management. They further state that under his leadership they paid for certain things and never received them, received their uniforms on the day for sitting examinations and engineering students sat for an engineering paper but studied technical drawing.

“We need a change from hell to paradise. The Principal has over stayed his welcome. We have seen all the bad things physically; we are not imagining” the Vice Guild President, Mr. Alule Stephen cries out

“He scares us with suspension and expulsions such that we don’t express ourselves anywhere. We have suffered enough with him. We thought things would change but they keep worsening. We can’t continue with him” the Guild Speaker, Ms Ajio Olivia laments

In another protest letter, dated 4^th April 2022, the Board of Governors, also accuse the Principal of blocking them from executing their duties and holding meetings as mandated. They also informed the CAO how this makes them unable to guide and advise on the next course of action after the Principal had been assaulted on 30^th March 2022 at the school premises at around 3pm by a group of about 20 young men. However, the Secretary for Social Services and DLC Arinyapi Sub County, Sabuni John, thinks it might be a pay back from some disgruntled staff of workers.

“I think he was beaten by boys who did some work for him and he refused to pay them or some of the staff that keep leaving.” Sabuni argues

One such staff could be the School Bursar who has since resumed work and disowned a resignation letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary on 25^th April 2022, the same day that the Ministry said it would send a team to the district in the next 3 days on a fact finding mission. Mr. Tugumisirize Augustine, had clearly stated poor working environment as one of the reasons for his departure before he made a U-turn and refuses to discuss the issue.

Accusations

Observers say his change of mind could be that he was compromised by the pending visit of the Ministry’s Fact finding mission and the break-in into his office a day after he wrote the resignation letter. According to another letter dated 27^th April 2022, about the incident, Augustine says he was informed that the Principal ordered for the break in and changed the locks.

However, according to the CAO, the Principal has already sent him a WhatsApp message saying that the Ministry was equally auditing him and thus all the books of account were in Kampala. In the same message, the Principal had also said that he had been beaten by thugs and was receiving treatment in Kampala 2 days after the break in.

Although, he was present to attend to the fact finding team from the Ministry, he had a cloth wrapped around his neck and was using a walking stick. The CAO also further reveals that the Ministry of Local Government called him and tasked him to explain why he meddling in the affairs of the institute and thus from then, he decided to just watch on and do nothing much since the council had already made a resolution and gone ahead to make an effort to implement it.

The 2^nd Deputy Prime Minister had written to the Minister for Local Government, Mr. Raphael Magyezi, accusing the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Adjumani, Mr. Grandfield Omonda, of interference in the management affairs of the institute.

“My attention has been drawn to a letter Ref. CR/252/01 dated March 17, 2022 wherein the CAO Adjumani district local government directed head of internal audit, Adjumani district to conduct a special audit into the operations of Amelo technical Institute” Gen said.

Gen Ali said, Amelo technical institute is established in accordance with the provisions of the business, technical, vocational education and training act, 2008 which is directly supervised by the Ministry of Education and Sports adding that the letter by the CAO is in contravention of section 15(1) of the National Audit Act 2008 which mandates the Auditor General to audit Central Government.

“The purpose of this letter is therefore, to bring this matter to your attention so that you can prevail on the CAO Adjumani to desist from interfering in the management of Amelo technical Institute” Ali added.

Such coincidental acts of the Principal always being sick whenever an audit arises has made some people indeed believe in his threats that he has people or persons in high places protecting him.

“He told us that we won’t be able to finish this war because he has a rock in the Ministry of Education. He then gave me and the Guild Speaker 300,000/= each and promised to take us to watch the AFCON final if we stopped pursuing the petition.” Alule narrates

“The only thing that can explain how this rot has been going on for years is that he is conniving with people in the Ministry. He keeps saying he is leaning against a hard rock” Sabuni argues

“Gen. Moses Ali should have guided the district chairman if there were gaps in the council resolution, because any antagonism amid Gen. Moses Ali and the district council will have adverse consequences on the development progress of the district.” the Former Secretary for Education and District Vice Chairperson, Anyanzo John Ambayo advises.

“We should give the Ministry a benefit of doubt but expect a decisive solution to this matter. There is overwhelming tension about this matter and there is no more room for a god father.” Deputy Resident District Commisioner, Mr. Angupale Swadiq observes.

Concerns

This is not the first time a similar audit or move is done against the principal. The only difference is that this time, the District Chairperson and the only Minister in the district are not friends and thus have to work separately to resolve the issue. While it appears that it is a war of egos and political authority or power over the matter, one has a tainted name regarding the matter that he has to rebuild while the other has a campaign pledge to fulfil. While the students, parents and staff are hoping that whoever wins sincerely has them at heart and will indeed sort out the mess and give them hope again. But what do the technical people in this matter say.

The District Education Officer, Mr. Dima Robert, says that the Ministry should come clear on what the district can or can’t do because it seems like the law is applied selectively.

“I want the Ministry to make it categorically clear whether my office can inspect the institute because on many occasions the District Inspector of Schools is turned away by the Principal.” The DEO reveals

The District Internal Auditor, Mr. Akuba Denis, also observes that it is time wasting to always set up audits whose findings are never implemented.

“This is not the first time we are attempting to resolve such issues. In 2016, we tried it and failed and have since failed since then because the Principal seems untouchable.” Akuba observes

Defense

The Principal however insists that he represents government and thus should be providing services to the people. He also describes all the accusations as false allegations and power struggles and is optimistic that the fact finding report will vindicate him.

Recommendation

When the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Ketty Lamaro, visited the district on the fact finding mission, she left many people talking in whispers. She met the staff and the principal in closed door meetings and no one seems to know what was discussed. In the meeting with district leaders and technical staff, she also failed to pronounce herself on the mandate of the district on whether or not they can do audits and inspection. While she toured the original site, she said she didn’t see any major reasons why the Minister had ordered for the institute to vacate. She also said she believed the issues raised could easily be solved in a stakeholders’ meeting. She however, promised to inform the district leadership on what their final decision as regards to their resolution and recommendation.

Future

With the visible dilapidated structures, rusted equipment, management crisis, exodus of students, staff and implementing partners and the never ending battles between the Principal and stakeholders; one could argue that the god father, whoever they may be, has reduced an institute from classrooms to buildings and what they may now only be interested in is ensuring that their name is never mentioned because there is clearly nothing much to benefit from anymore. Amelo Technical Institute could become a castle built on sand if the Ministry continues to drag its feet in solving the mess

END.

By Bazio Doreen. 

Adjumani District leaders have given Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation (Emyooga) Program SACCO leaders a condition to recover at least 25% of the loans given out and remit it back to the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) before they can access additional seed capital.

The additional seed capital of shs 20 million is already in the SACCO bank accounts, but they need to fulfill this condition before they can access it. Only 14 SACCOs out of 36 have so far received a total additional seed capital of shs 280 million.

The resolution was made during a review meeting convened by MSC to improve recovery of funds under the Emyooga program. With support from MSC, the 36 SACCOs so far have only recovered shs 894,149,004 out of the shs 1,568,220,000 loans disbursed to 338 associations.

During the meeting held on 9th April 2025 in the Adjumani District Council Hall, Nsubuga Francis, the Regional Manager for Northern Uganda, told the SACCO leaders that each SACCO had missed out on about shs 60 million in the past 3 years because of failing to refund the money in time.

He also observed that groups were failing to pay back the money because they thought the government was using it as bait to make them vote for the ruling party and President Museveni.

“Some groups were formed to purposely embezzle this money. It is now time to change that mindset and recruit better members. Many people thought the President was using it to encourage them to vote for him and NRM.” Nsubuga revealed.

On her part, Dipio Agnes, the Acting District Commercial Officer, told the SACCO leaders that they need to reorganize their groups, restructure the leadership through holding Annual General Meetings (AGM) by 9th May 2025, and conduct a financial audit for 2024 by 25th April 2025.

“No one is above the law. We don’t want anything to happen to you. I was almost arrested for recommending groups that have serial defaulters. The government is ready to provide technical support where possible.” Dipio said.

On the other hand, Obumai Simon Peter, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, also warned that the government is aware that many people misused the first disbursement of the funds and is ready to take action. He added that the government has already started by setting conditions for accessing additional funds. He also advised them to put money in enterprises of their groups and utilize it to a tune that is commensurate to the loan received.

“Some of you have failed to update your files because you put money in other things apart from your enterprises. The first phase was such a mess. I am glad that the government has now set a condition to unlock additional disbursement. We don’t want to embarrass the President; we shall arrest those who continue to fail to comply,” Obumai warned.

According to records at the MSC as of March 2025, the government had disbursed shs 1,120,000,000/= as seed capital to 36 SACCOs and 361 groups in Adjumani. Additionally, 1,260 employment opportunities were created, and 1,903 individuals have so far benefitted.

The MSC has moved further to establish another sub-office in Moyo District to serve the communities of Yumbe, Adjumani, Moyo, and Obongi districts. Previously, SACCOs needed to move to Arua City to be able to access services.

Nsubuga said, “We now have a new office in Moyo District to serve you people. This will save time spent accessing services and promote smooth running of the program.”

The Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation (Emyooga) Program was launched in August 2019 as part of a government strategy targeting to transform 68% of homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production with an overall objective of promoting job creation and improving household incomes, targeting 18 categories/enterprises.

END.

By Bazio Doreen.

The Government of Uganda, through the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), has launched the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project—Government Network (UDAP-GovNet) to enhance internet connectivity for host and refugee communities in Adjumani District.

The UDAP-GovNet seeks, among other objectives, to promote digital inclusion of host communities and refugees through improving the availability of core digital infrastructure in 12 remote refugee host districts, addressing digital demand-side barriers including the affordability of mobile devices, and improving basic digital skills.

Under the two-year project that is funded by the World Bank/IDA up to the cost of US$ 200 million, 80 telecommunications masts and 24 telecenters will be established across the country. In Adjumani, a telecommunications mast for voice and data services will be set up in Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement, and telecenters will be established in Maaji and Pagirinya refugee settlements at public institutions to enable refugees to access free internet through Wi-Fi hot spots.  

While making opening remarks during the launch at the District Council Hall on April 23, 2025, the District Chairperson, Hon. Anyama Ben, thanked NITA-U and the government for choosing Adjumani district as one of the beneficiaries, observing that this is a great opportunity for the district because it hosts about 240,000 refugees who constitute half of the district population. 

“It is not easy to sit in Kampala and decide to choose people that you have never seen. I thank you for that. Adjumani District is unique because half of its population constitutes refugees. We have different cultures, but we are staying together,” Hon. Anyama observed.

The Chief Administrative Officer, Ocen James Andrew, also thanked the government for creating an enabling environment for technology advancement that is enabling local governments to promptly and timely deliver quality services to the people.

“At a certain point years ago, we didn’t have telephones; searching for someone was very difficult, but that is history now. This project is going to be a milestone for underserved and vulnerable communities. Technology has made it easy for rural districts like ours to easily do and receive payments,” Ocen explained.

On his part, Abdul Ramathan, who represented the Refugee Desk Officer—OPM Pakele, said that many refugees struggle to meet their basic needs, and thus some can’t afford to buy digital devices while others struggle to buy data bundles. He also observed that many refugees are illiterate and therefore lack basic digital skills, and thus the project will support them in not only accessing the internet but also gaining knowledge on digital safety and security.

“Some refugees have never held any phones/computers in their lives because they can’t afford them. There is a need for them to learn basic digital skills but also know how to overcome challenges in cyber and digital security,” Abdul said. 

According to Josephine Olivia, the UDAP-GovNet Project Manager, the overall goal of the project is indeed to bring digital services closer to the people. She added that the telecommunications masts will be supported by a backbone of fiber optic cables and complemented by Wi-Fi hot spots and shared digital services to ensure widespread connectivity.

Josephine also said that the project is in line with the National Development Plan III (FY 2020/2021–2024/2025) and the World Bank’s ‘Building Back Better’ initiative to strengthen economic resilience and digital governance.

The UDAP-GovNet is a government initiative focused on enhancing digital connectivity, expanding e-government services, and promoting digital inclusion across Uganda. The project aims to bridge digital gaps and accelerate economic growth through technology adoption. The project is led by the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT&NG), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and private sector partners. Under the project, NITA-U and its partners will establish 80 telecommunications.  

END.