By Anzoo Evaline.

Financial stress has been identified as one of the leading causes of mental health challenges among both the refugee and host populations of Adjumani District. This is according to findings shared during a financial literacy and mental health awareness engagement held at Aragan Hotel on 1^st October 2025.

The event, was organized by Train a Girl Uganda (TAGU), in preparation for the upcoming suicide awareness performance event under the theme: “Creating safe spaces for mental health conservation.”

The 4 hour event brought together representatives from Stanbic Bank, Centenary Bank, community leaders, and mental health advocates to address the growing link between financial hardship and psychological distress.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Langoya Manara, the Stanbic Bank Manager Adjumani, noted that a majority of families in the district continue to experience emotional strain due to poor financial management and rising economic pressures.

“One of the major contributing factors I have observed over time is even fellow colleagues failing to budget effectively and that tends to create a lot of stress. And then looking at different lifestyles. We all grew up in different communities whereby people come from different areas others have it at home and then you want to have the same thing. I have seen even in many years much as we are in the business of lending, the money business of giving out money. We try as much as possible to get people to borrow for projects that can generate income and not focus on borrowing for paying school fees”, Manara said.

Similarly, Mr. Denis Wokorach, the Manager of Centenary Bank Adjumani, emphasized the importance of developing strong financial principles and saving habits. He urged both refugees and host community members to seek guidance from financial institutions on how to better manage their finances.

“To manage financial stress. Of course, the first one is to investigate what is causing this financial stress. That is the basic role number one because if you know it, then you can manage it. So, the first thing is try to diagnose what is causing that financial stress. Is it overspending? Is it impulse buying? So, once you investigate what the cause is, then you can come up with ways to deal with it”, he said.

He added that “Of course, the other is to try and streamline your budget because you have the income, which are your incomes and the outputs. So, you need to know to see how to match them. And you don’t want to go and overspend. Save and say you know what? This month I’m going to save these shares. If you start from that side, you’ll find that you will be able to knock off some of the things that you don’t necessarily need”.

Mental health practitioners attending the event also raised concern over the increasing number of people showing symptoms of depression and anxiety due to financial struggles, family responsibilities, and unemployment.

Mr. Briani Asiimwe, a Mental Health advocate, who doubles as the Psychosocial Counsellor working with Tutapona, on his part urged the community to adopt the different ways of managing their stress without causing damage.

“For me, I view stress as something that is very normal. It depends on how it entered you. But if you are resilient enough, there are very many ways of coping which very many people don’t see, but like deep breathing, these people who commit suicide, the emotions are too much that even the thoughts are no longer there. All I want to do is jump this balcony, minus thinking about it”, Briani stated.

Participants who attended the engagement appreciated the discussion adding that it had helped them to gain knowledge on the importance of financial planning and saving culture.

Meanwhile, Dipio Francis, the Senior Probation and Social Welfare officer at Adjumani Local District Government, appealed to the Bank Managers to revise some of their harsh policies on loans/grants and other financial transactions that depress people who are seeking to gain access to government support.

 “There are many government programs which are targeting the communities but the conditions are really harsh for this people so please the two bank managers around let’s try to minimize some of these conditions so that our people can access it easily especially the youths”, said Dipio.

The dialogue concluded with a call from local leaders urging both financial institutions and humanitarian partners to continue supporting financial literacy trainings, especially for youth and women groups, to promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce mental health burdens.

The event underscored the growing recognition that financial wellness is a crucial component of mental health, and that improving financial habits can significantly enhance the overall wellbeing of communities in Adjumani District.

END

By Anzoo Evaline.

As candidates across the country prepare for the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) exams, parents of pupils at St. Thereza Nursery and Primary School in Ayilo I Refugee Settlement, Adjumani District, have been called upon to give maximum support to their children during this crucial period.

This appeal was made by Rev. Fr. Atara Vital, the Parish Priest and Rector of Holy Cross Pilgrimage canter Indriani, during a special blessing ceremony for the Primary Seven candidates held at the school.

Fr. Vital emphasized that parents play a vital role in ensuring their children’s academic success by providing them with a peaceful home environment, encouragement, and moral guidance. He noted that while teachers work hard to prepare the pupils academically, parental involvement remains key in shaping disciplined and focused learners.

“As parents, you need to know that you play a vital role in shaping your children but I have seen most times parents have left their children moving like stray animals so please am advising you should program your children as a responsible father or mother”, said Fr. Vital.

He further urged the candidates to remain committed, disciplined, and prayerful as they approach their UNEB examinations, reminding them that success comes through hard work and trust in God.

“To the candidates, you must remain committed, disciplined and focus on your books in this remaining time so that you will pass your examinations”, He added.

The head teacher of St. Thereza Nursery and Primary School, Mr. Aluma Ivuson Richard, appreciated the efforts of both teachers and parents in preparing the pupils for the national exams despite the challenges faced in the refugee settlement, including low school fees payment by parents and immoral behaviours among the pupils.

“Our learners have shown great determination, and we believe they will make us proud. We thank the church for the spiritual guidance and the parents for their continued support,” Mr. Ladu remarked.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mr. Aluma Marthin Oyat, the Chairperson – Parents Teacher Association, expressed gratitude to the school administration and the parish priest for their commitment to the children’s education. He also pledged that parents would continue to stand by their children until the end of the examination period.

Hon. Ebevura Maurice Acika, the DLC of Pakele Sub County, similarly cautioned both the teachers and parents to play their roles in order to ensure that the pupils pass with flying colours.

“I want to appeal to you teachers and parents, remember last time we came here to celebrate and you have promised for us that you are going to make us proud so please my need to keep the promise”, Ebevura said.

The ceremony, which was attended by teachers, parents, pupils, and community members, was marked by prayers, and a special blessing session for the 2025 P.7 candidates.

The event served as a reminder to the community that education remains a key tool for transformation and hope, especially for children living within refugee settlements.

END.

By Dramadri Federick

Arua City Education Office has threatened to take strict action against school head teachers who are computer illiterate and fail to be active online, alleging that their lack of engagement is tarnishing the image of the Public Service.

Addressing the head teachers during the announcement of the Arua City Academic Board (ACAB) 2025 mock results for primary schools, Raymond Ombere, the Principal Education Officer of Arua City, emphasized that many head teachers are absent from social media platforms and are not updated on current affairs—something he described as shameful for the public service.

Ombere cautioned that any teacher found without at least UGX 50,000 in their pocket, a fully charged smartphone, data bundles, and airtime would face disciplinary action.

He emphasizes the critical importance for head teachers to be consistently connected and equipped with resources, specifically highlighting that not being online due to lack of data should be addressed immediately.

He stresses that a head teacher, as a public officer, should always be financially prepared, suggesting that carrying at least UGX 50,000 is necessary to avoid being ineffective or unable to fulfill their duties effectively.

“This business of not being online because you lack data must end today. A head teacher should not be bankrupt; it is an offense to walk as a public officer without money. In fact, a head teacher must carry no less than UGX 50,000 at all times,” Ombere warned.

Some of the teachers interviewed expressed mixed opinions regarding this decision. They highlighted that teachers are poorly paid, with many lacking allowances, which often leaves them financially strained. They revealed that most teachers, especially arts teachers, are facing financial hardship due to unequal treatment and delayed salaries.

Elema Justus Oloto, the head teacher of Pokea Primary School in Ayivu Division, noted that salary disparities have lowered teachers’ morale, especially amid ongoing delays in salary payments. These delays significantly impact teachers’ finances.

“What teachers, including head teachers, receive cannot cover carrying UGX 50,000 daily. As I speak now, I don’t even have UGX 10,000 in my pocket. That’s why we are urging the government to increase our salaries so we can have some money regularly, either daily or weekly. Otherwise, it’s very difficult,” Oloto stated.

Victor Alioni, the head teacher of Ediofe Boys Primary School, welcomed the decision to hold teachers accountable for not using smartphones with internet access. However, he criticized the low funding from government capitation grants, which hampers efforts to procure data bundles.

“I personally agree with the move, but our main challenge is the limited funds from government aid. When the capitation grant runs out, it becomes difficult to load data onto our devices,” Alioni revealed.

Since the government initiated the Education Management Information System (EMIS)—an online platform for managing school data—the use of smartphones has become mandatory for teachers to access real-time information and research.

By Bazio Doreen.

Adjumani District Local Government in Partnership with Right to Play (RTP) have convened a leaders’ conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in Gulu City.

The conference took place from Thursday 18^th to Friday 19^th September 2025 by Right to Play (RTP) an NGO implementing the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project in the district.

The conference was convened to track progress, share challenges and make recommendations on the implementation of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) interventions in the district.

In his welcome remarks, Titus Tumusiime, the Right to Play Country Director, thanked the district leadership for creating an enabling and conducive working environment for the SHARE partners to implement SRHR interventions in the last 4 years.

“Adjumani has been very exemplary and supportive to this project. We want to appreciate all the stakeholders who have collaborated with us to implement this project. We are now seeing more boys embracing SRHR,” Tumusiime said.

In response, Hon. Anyama Ben, the District Chairperson – Adjumani, while making his opening remarks, thanked the SHARE partners for choosing Adjumani and for the fruitful collaboration over the years before pledging that the district would consolidate the project’s achievements after 2026.

“I want to appreciate the consortium for helping the district in Health System strengthening. As a district, we pledge to sustain the positive change created when the project closes in 2026. I hear that some of the mentorship groups have been turned into VSLAs. Thank you for empowering our people,” Hon. Anyama said.

The conference was attended by the: Ma’di Paramount Chief, Adjumani East Member of Parliament, Country Director Right to Play, District Chairperson – Adjumani, Deputy RDC – Adjumani, CAO – Adjumani, DCAO –Adjumani, PACAO – Adjumani, Resident State Attorney, DHO – Adjumani, DCDO – Adjumani, ADHO – MCH – Adjumani, DPC – Adjumani, CFPU in charge – Adjumani, selected education and heath staff, selected LC IIIs, selected SACAOs, selected head teachers, mentors, religious leaders, Cultural leaders, CSOs, SRHR Partners, representatives from UCRNN, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Sports, Parliamentary Forum and SHARE project staff from FAWE, WaterAid, FHI 360 and Right to Play.

The meeting agreed on many recommendations including: scaling up advocacy efforts through all community structures; fast tracking the approval of the Ma’di Traditional marriage by law; instituting an inter religious and inter cultural council; utilization of government hour for SRHR interventions; community policing targeting adolescents; intensify community sensitization; engaging potential groups of culprits in dialogues; and improved mapping and surveillance for child marriage and teenage pregnancies.

Sylvia Hope Masika, the Program Manager – Right to Play, said that she was excited and happy with the commitment of the local government and the various stakeholders towards resolving SRHR challenges.

She added that RTP is committed to continue supporting the young people and lobbying for more resources for additional interventions and consolidating what is being achieved.

So far, the SHARE project has: formed 65 school health clubs, trained 33 Social Behavioral Change mentors, trained 200 teachers, conducted 900 dialogues, trained 129 VHTs, supported 43 Health Centres, supported 08 secondary schools and formed 104 community groups that are now Village Loans and Savings group.

On his part, Ocen James Andrew, the Chief Administrative Officer, thanked RTP for committing resources to not only empower adolescents but also build the capacity of duty bearers that support SRHR interventions through the District Committee on Adolescent Health (DICAH).

“I want to appreciate the SHARE partners for working together with us and for convening this conference so as to enable us to reflect on our different mandates towards adolescents. I want to also thank Right to Play for supporting the DICAH,” Ocen said

In his closing remarks, Emmanuel Okware, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner – Adjumani, urged the duty bearers to ensure that the action discussed are implemented. He also noted that adolescents are future leaders and need to be supported to achieve just that.

“Let us turn these recommendations into tangible actions. We need to continue working together to create an environment that supports a good future for all adolescents in our communities,” Okware said.

BY 2026, with a focus on Ghana, Mozambique, and Uganda, the project will reach more than 325,000 adolescents and youth – 59% of which should be female. Active since 2022, the implementation is led by Right to Play in partnership with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), and WaterAid, with technical support from FHI 360, and financial support from Global Affairs Canada.

Through the project, adolescents and young people between 10 – 24 years old can access mentorship groups that equip them with the skills and knowledge to advocate for their health-related rights, and promote gender equity within their personal lives and communities.

END.

By Bazio Doreen.

Adjumani District leaders have renewed their fight to end child marriage among South Sudanese refugees living in the area.

The commitment was made during a leaders conference convened in Gulu City from Thursday 18^th to Friday 19^th September 2025 by Right to Play (RTP) an NGO implementing the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project in the district.

The conference was convened to track progress, share challenges and make recommendations on the implementation of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) interventions in the district.

The Challenge:

During a panel discussion, Abdul Ramathan, a Settlement Commandant, who represented the Refugee Desk Officer – Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Pakele, revealed that child marriage among the refugees is being facilitated by negative cultural norms.

“We must acknowledge that the South Sudanese refugees have different cultural norms and practices from us.  When a girl clocks 14 years and starts menstruation, there are cultural rituals done to indicate to the community that she is ripe for marriage. A white flag is put on top of their hut. This is done by a council of elders that are respected by refugee welfare councilors and yet these don’t report to OPM,” Abdul explained.

Abdul also notes that this is further worsened by economic challenges that many refugee teenage girls grapple with amidst poor parenting.

“The reduced food ration by World Food Program has made many families vulnerable with many girls being forced into early marriage or teenage pregnancies. Parents are selling their young girls quietly. They smuggle these girls to South Sudan and dowry is paid that side. They conceive and sometimes give birth while there. This makes it hard to track them when they return. The girls stay here while the men are left abroad,” Abdul noted.

However, this doesn’t affect the girls alone. Similarly, when a refugee boy clocks 14 years, a council of elders conduct some rituals to initiate them into what is termed as adulthood. Unfortunately, in response, boys now believe that they are “men” and start to engage in immoral behavior that most times leads to sex with their female peers and consequently unplanned pregnancies that some parents use as opportunities to ask for bride price thus child marriage.

This is also usually because the boys now initiated into “men” abandon school and focus on what they think “men” are supposed to do which often times is early marriage and providing for a home. This is also often an opportunity to engage in alcohol abuse, drug abuse and having many sexual partners/girls.

On his part, Wamala Damon, the Executive Director – Uganda Child Rights NGO Network, noted that fighting child marriage needs a multisectoral approach and everyone needs to participate in it instead of expecting the government and duty bearers to shoulder it alone. Wamala also said that families must be taught that it is their role to protect their children before the government comes in.

“We need to stop calling them teenage mothers because it seems this has now been qualified to become okay. These are child mothers. When we say child mother, we will think about our child and help do something about this vice as the parents we are. We have handed over our children to the state and that is why any man comes and does what they want with them,” Wamala said.

What can be done?

In affirmation, Hon. Mamawi James, the Member of Parliament Adjumani East Constituency, noted that children should be sensitized on the laws that affect or related to them. He also added that other strategies need to be devised to ensure that this trend stops.

“Our children in the communities still don’t know the law we are discussing about, it is our responsibility to sensitize them. But we must also know that not everything needs the law. Unless deemed necessary, at our local setting, some of these issues can be solved at our fire places in the evenings,” Hon. Mamawi said.

On how to forge a way forward, Mawadri Ramathan, the District Community Development Officer, said that government and partners will now work together to intensify both surveillance and sensitization especially in sub counties that host refugees.

“There are a number of strategies we can employ to fight teenage pregnancies and child marriage. The first and foremost is community engagement. We must sensitize the community at all levels on the dangers of child marriage. We must also continue building the capacity of our key community structures right from the LC Is and VHTs. These issues come from the community and these are key resourceful persons,” Mawadri said.

Walter Owinja, the OPM Monitoring and Evaluation Officer based in Adjumani, also noted that there is a need for all the stakeholders to come together and engage the council of elders so as to come to a common ground.

“We need to engage this council of elders and listen from them but also deliberate with them on a way forward about these challenges and the consequences of their actions,” Walter said.

Meanwhile, the teenage pregnancy rate in refugee hosting sub counties in Adjumani stands at: Adjumani Town Council (12.3%), Pakele (16.9%), Ukusijoni (16%), Ciforo (15.7%), Dzaipi (15.3%), Pachara (14.5%), and Itirikwa (14.9%).  Generally, teenage pregnancy rate among refugees is 14% for those recorded but many are thought to be missed out due to the continued sneaking back of the girls to their home country, South Sudan.

In the financial year (FY) 2024/2025, among expectant mothers who attended their 1^st antennal visit, 2,351 out of 14,984 were adolescents; out of 13,572 deliveries conducted, 1,852 were adolescents; and among 49,146 family planning users, 2,255 were adolescents.

Cumulatively, as of March 2025, Adjumani and its partners had reached out to over 11,851 adolescents and young persons with SRHR information and referred them to the nearest health facilities according to records at the District Health Office.

Similarly, there is also a tremendous effort in the education sector. Between January and September 2025, about 325 pupils and 225 students were returned to Primary and Secondary schools respectively.  Adjumani has 155,361 in school adolescents and 104,984 out of school adolescents.

END.

By Bazio Doreen.

By Bazio Doreen.

Overcomers Women Activists (OWA) in partnership with the Ma’di Cultural Institution has drafted the first Ma’di traditional Marriage bylaw to streamline the tribe’s process of union between couples. The 10 page by law defines courtship, types of marriage, bride price, process of formalization of marriage, fines for rape and elopement, and marriage principles.

OWA is a Community Based Organization in Adjumani that advocates for the rights of women and girls while on the other hand the first substantial Ma’di Paramount Chief (Lopirigo) was voted in 2024 and is yet to be gazzeted by government. The Paramount Chief has however assumed full powers and is supporting chiefs to reorganize the Ma’di Cultural Institution.

The drafting of the bylaw that is to be approved by October 2025 is funded by Forum for Women Educationalists (FAWE), an NGO that is implementing the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project in Uganda. The five-year SHARE project that ends in 2026 seeks to advance gender equality and increase the enjoyment of health-related human rights by vulnerable right-holders, particularly adolescent girls and young women.

Culture provides rules of sexual conduct between sexes which shape knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding the sexuality of adolescent girls and influence Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).

On why the bylaw was drafted, Olga Lindrio, the Executive Director – OWOA, says the by law will support the Ma’di Cultural Institution to advocate for elimination of negative cultural practices and norms that hinder adolescents and young girls from enjoying their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. Olga also says that the by law is expected to streamline and regulate the Ma’di marriage practices.

“We expect the bylaw to reduce both forced and child marriages that contribute to both teenage pregnancies and Gender Based Violence. If you notice, Ma’di bride price has also since changed. Sometimes it is over charged, sometimes it is under charged. We want to eliminate all bad cultural practices related to marriage,” Lindrio said.

In affirmation, Dipio Josephine, the Community Development Officer, Itirikwa Sub County, notes that during the payment of bride price commonly referred to as “Kasurube”, young girls are tasked to escort the bride and greet the in laws which usually creates an opportunity for them to be defiled or sexually harassed.

“During the payment of Kasurube, we still see our young girls, being given to in laws. That they should go and greet the in laws. And yet we have divorced women or returnees. Then we also have the issue of uniform removal (nji), we need to have regulations on school girls who get pregnant because it lures them into early/child marriage,” Dipio noted.

However, His Royal Highness, Opi Suru Simon Baru, the Ma’di Paramount Chief, now says with the bylaw in place, cultural leaders will now fight and discourage the practice of ‘uniform nji’ which means that a girl is removing a school uniform for marriage since they have conceived and this is usually accompanied by a cost paid to the bride’s parents.

“In the draft marriage by law, we have clearly stated that payment of uniform nji is not Ma’di Culture. You be assured that we shall no longer have this uniform nji practice. We don’t want it because it is encouraging the parents to advocate for it since they anticipate gain from it,” Opi Suru said.

Opi Suru adds that: “we have clearly stated in the by law that any girl below the age of 18 is not allowed to participate in any traditional marriage activity commonly referred to as introduction. This will help to curtail temptation of girls getting married early or being impregnated. When these young girls are given brown envelopes for their participation, the in-laws start looking for them or asking details about them and that is how it all begins to unfold.”

Opi Suru also says the bylaw clearly states that defilement is a criminal case and thus should never be resolved by cultural leaders.

“Defilement is a criminal case. For us as cultural leaders we don’t entertain defilement cases in our chiefdoms,” Opi Suru said.

On the other hand, Okot Michael, the Magistrate Grade One, observes a changing trend in the way defilement cases are registered adding that only a quarter of them are reported. He also says that out of about 480 cases criminal registered, 232 involve adolescents.

“Unlike before, now days they bring both the boy and the girl who have defiled themselves. Families only come to court when they disagree. The court is used as legal procedure to make the culprit to pay and when this happens, you will never see a witness in court again,” Okot explained.  

On his part, SP Masembe Herbert, the District Police Commander – Adjumani, notes that the by law will be of great help to the police because many parents are using unsuspecting men to trap them into allegations of defilement and forcing them to unfairly pay bride price.

“Sometimes as police we are very disappointed and our hands are tied to support further. One time we got a case where a man was accused of defilement and tasked to pay kasurube of shs 500,000/= and yet he was found on the road asking for directions to the neighboring Moyo District,” SP Masembe noted.

Meanwhile, the Ma’di Traditional bylaw recognizes both formal and informal Ma’di traditional marriage. The by law defines a formal marriage as one where bride price/bride wealth is paid and marriage certificate is issued to the couple by the area cultural leader. On the other hand, informal marriage refers to rape or elopement.

Punishment for eloping includes paying two heifers or Ugx 2,000,000/= in addition to expenses accrued by the family while looking for their daughter. If one elopes with a relative, a sheep is given for cleansing inaddtion to paying a bull, and a heifer. The by law also specifies requirements or items that are given to the family of the bride.

The drafting process involved 13 cultural leaders from Adjumani district including the Ma’di Paramount Chief and refugee leaders as well as 08 chiefs from Moyo District.

Before approval, the by law will be reviewed by a lawyer and other community leadership structures before it is translated into prominent local languages spoken in the Ma’di geographical area.

 END.

By Anzoo Evaline.

At just 17 years old, Anzoa Gertrude has already experienced the kind of hardship that could easily silence a young girl’s dreams. Eight months ago, she became a mother, an event that turned her life upside down and left her facing rejection from her own husband and family.

Once a bright pupil with ambitions of becoming a nurse, Gertrude’s world crumbled when she discovered she was pregnant while still in school. “I was in primary six staying with my grandmother since I was 10yrs because my mother left us and went to Juba but when I got pregnant so I felt my future was lost because since I was born, I don’t know who my father is and my uncles have refused to help us with my grandmother,” she recalls softly. “When we were dating, my boyfriend said that he loves me so and one day I asked him to buy for a sanitary pad because my grandmother doesn’t have money and so he bought and later after my menstruation he invite me to his home where he asked me to help him because he has taken some man power and we had sex which resulted to the pregnant,” Anzoa narrated.   

For months, she struggled with her friend. “When I tried to follow my boyfriend, his friend told me that he has ran to Juba and I even don’t know where his family members are staying, this has left me stranded with my baby because my uncles have now chased me away from their home and Iam now staying with my friend’s home with her parent,” Gertrude said.

But a coalition of partners and stakeholders under the SHARE project, including school administrator and education advocates, saw hope where others had turned away. Through different intervention including counselling sessions, they convinced Gertrude’s mother to support her and her baby and support her return to school.

“It was not easy,” admits Adjumani town council community development officer Akum Sarah who worked closely with school administration. “There was a lot of anger and disappointment, but we explained that punishing the girl would only hurt the child and the community. Education is the key to breaking this cycle.”

With the intervention, Train a girl Uganda a CBO based in Adjumani district has constructed wash facility with changing room in the school where Anzoa is studying with sewing machine my making reuseable pads. “We have constructed one wash facility that has a changing room and rest room and we have also rehabilitated their water source that has been connected up to the wash facility,” said the Mondua Brenda Executive Director Train a girl.

She added that “We have also trained a person in tailoring who is making reuseable pads within the school because we have bought one sewing machine in the school and doing this, we are looking forward to retain more girls in class during their menstruation period and also to improve their performance in class,” Mondua added. 

Today, dressed in her crisp school uniform, Gertrude walks through the school gate with her books in hand and a quiet determination in her eyes. “I want to be a nurse so I can help other mothers,” she says. “This second chance means everything to me.”

The deputy headteacher of Oligo primary school Alia Vivian Vicky said that she has returned with renewed focus and maturity. “Gertrude’s story is a powerful reminder that motherhood should not be the end of education, she is an example to other girls that it is never too late to pursue your dreams,” said the Deputy headteacher.

Asibazoyo Nancy a representative working with FAWE a consortium partner implementing the share projected described the intervention of the various stakeholders as a way of securing a future that was lost. “I want to appreciate the partners and other stakeholders for making sure Gertrude is back to class because what they have done can not be judge by human but God knows and he will reward them in his own time and as for us FAWE, we shall also see how we shall support her through her new life journey,” said Nancy.

The district Education officer of Adjumani district Mr. Dima Robert said, “Under the share project, we have benefited a lot as a district and their intervention has made as to achieve a great improvement in reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy to 15.7% compared to the previous years,” The DEO commended.

As for Gertrude, every day back in class is a step toward the future she once feared was lost. “My baby gives me strength,” she says, smiling. “I want her to know that her mother never gave up.”

By Anzoo Evaline

Over 5,200 farmers in the West Nile Region are still awaiting inputs following the exit of the Agriculture Cluster Development Program (ACDP) a year ago.

The program was launched in 2017 as a transformative initiative to boost Uganda’s agricultural productivity, with an expected end date of March 2022. However, it was later extended to September 2023 to recover the time lost during the COVID-19 lockdown. The program was worth USD 150 million and targeted 57 districts nationwide. Its objectives included increasing production, improving productivity, and enhancing market linkages through value chain interventions clustered into 12 major sectors. About 55% of the funds approximately USD 82million was allocated for agro-inputs, while the remaining amount supported matching grants for farmer associations to upgrade storage facilities, machinery, and operations. 

Despite ambitious expectations to transform the livelihoods of 450,000 farmers including 180,000 maize producers, 110,000 coffee growers, 95,000 bean farmers, 40,000 rice farmers, and 25,000 cassava farmers these goals remain largely unmet. The project also aimed to facilitate the formation of 300 Area-Based Community Cooperative Enterprises and support 3,000 rural producers.

An electronic voucher system (E-Voucher) was awarded to United Bank for Africa (UBA) to facilitate the cashless distribution of vouchers to smallholders and subsistence farmers to assist them in accessing high quality agricultural input. The e-voucher is electronically delivered typically via SMS or e-mail containing unique code sometimes a PIN for verification and the farmers can deliver the e-voucher online at the retailer’s website during checkout and he or she provides the e-voucher code to detect the value from their purchase total, which is automatically applied to the balance or deducted from the purchase.  The inputs farmers are supposed to receive include inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, agrochemicals, tractor hire services, and seeds according to their requests. Under the program’s priority sectors, West Nile was grouped into Cluster 12, focusing on cassava and coffee enterprises.

Despite these arrangements, farmers enrolled through UBA, each paying 148,000 shillings for inputs, failed to access their supplies by the end of the project. This situation affected approximately 2,614,000 farmers across the 76 districts, according to project records.

In 2018, the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Vincent Ssempijja, commissioned the E-Voucher Management System during the launch of the ACDP in Lukaya, Kalungu District. This system was intended to promote commercial production of maize, beans, cassava, rice, and coffee across 42 districts. The government contracted UBA to supply, install, and manage the E-Voucher platform, with the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U) responsible for registering participating farmers, while a few agro-input dealers were engaged to supply inputs.

However, farmer frustrations grew as access to inputs remained elusive even after payments were made, extending beyond the project period. Many farmer groups disintegrated, and some began threatening legal action against local governments especially those who paid for inputs that were never delivered.

In districts from Nebbi to Maracha, a total of 5,276 farmers are distressed after being duped in the cost-sharing deal. Farmers were expected to pay 148,000 shillings for inputs, with the government covering the remainder. For example, at Aryek Cooperative Union in Nebbi, farmers are demanding 165 million shillings for undelivered inputs. Its chairman, Powell Ongey, lamented, “We have been following up on these funds, but the service provider (UBA) has remained silent despite several follow-ups. We’ve handed the matter to the district authorities. This situation has caused mistrust among members and leaders, and we hope the government will help us recover these losses.”

Joyce Piwa, Nebbi District Agricultural Officer, added that UBA had pledged to refund the farmers’ contributions through the E-Voucher system. “I believed all 3,783 farmers had been cleared. I will follow up,” she said.

Efforts have been made to reach out to the Uganda Bank of Africa (UBA) through phone calls and emails by the agriculture officer of Nebbi district but no feedback was given.

Farmers speak up:

Aryek Cooperative Union is among five local cooperative societies in Nebbi that received Shs 3 billion for cassava factory construction, part of the Shs 34 billion in funds the government received from the World Bank (WB). This funding aimed to support 118 farmer organizations across 24 pilot districts, focusing on value addition to produce before market.

The situation in Nebbi mirrors that of Arua district, where only 200 out of 2,040 farmers have received inputs two years after the program’s conclusion. Stephen Candia, a farmer in Awika Village, Arivu Sub-county, expressed his frustration: “It’s hard to trace the contractors since they were introduced to us by the district. I wish the district would intervene and help recover our money because, since I paid 148,000 shillings, I haven’t seen any return. I ordered fertilizers, gumboots, and tractor services to open up my land, but none of these have materialized.”

Based on the 2023 Engineering audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, several issues were identified concerning the rehabilitation of community access roads, E-voucher program faced challenge of beneficiary identification, benefiting districts lacked fund for maintaining the constructed roads, delay in procurement. Specifically, projects worth Shs 63 billion remain incomplete, with works only at 20% completion by the end of the project period in each local government. Additionally, 14 projects valued at Shs 73 billion had not yet commenced. These projects focused on restoring community access roads to improve market linkages and were managed through high-breed procurement mechanisms.

Arua District Chairman Alfred Okuonzi criticized the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries, and Fisheries (MAAIF) for a lack of transparency in managing projects aimed at transforming farmers and, ultimately, the country’s economy. He stated that “corruption within MAAIF has reached unprecedented levels, with staff acting with impunity and without accountability.” Out of frustration, Okuonzi emphasized the need for a thorough audit of these projects to ensure value for money.

He further condemned the contractor, United Bank for Africa, noting that costs incurred amount to billions of shillings, yet farmers remain impoverished. “MAAIF should stop implementing projects like witchdoctors working from Kampala offices without proper monitoring or engagement with local governments,” he added.

There is also evident frustration within local governments. In Maracha District, at least 1,208 farmers have yet to receive their funds or inputs, raising concerns about project execution by contractors, ministry officials, and district authorities. Stephen Obitre, the district chairman, explained that he brought this issue to the attention of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, during his visit earlier this year. The Minister directed that the contractor should refund all farmers whose funds were misappropriated through the Electronic Voucher system, as the contractor failed to supply inputs. Obitre lamented that most components of the Agriculture Cluster Development Program (ACDP) had collapsed before implementation.

He expressed disappointment, stating, “We expected farmers to access inputs at reduced costs, markets through rehabilitated roads, and add value to their products. However, nothing tangible has materialized, value-addition facilities are non-functional, road works are only 20% complete, and inputs have not been supplied. This is a disaster, and the officers involved in implementing the ACDP should be held accountable.”

In response, Dr. Henry Nakelet Opolot, the Commissioner of Agricultural Extension and Skills Management and Project Coordinator for ACDP, reported in 2021 that the project had achieved a 74% disbursement rate as of May 2021. He declined further comment when contacted but referred to the project implementation report, which indicated that both government and farmers contributed a total of UGX 84 billion, UGX 54 billion by the government and UGX 27 billion by farmers across 57 districts.

The report also stated that out of an estimated 450,000 targeted farmers, 416,518 enrolled in the e-voucher subsidy program, with 277,990 ordering inputs and 200,984 receiving them; the reasons for the remaining farmers not receiving inputs remain unspecified.

Efforts to obtain comments from United Bank of Africa proved unsuccessful, as their known phone lines were unavailable.

Key Facts:

During the 2015/16 financial year, MAAIF borrowed US$ 150 million from the World Bank to fund the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP). The main objectives were to increase productivity, production, and commercialization of selected agricultural commodities across 57 districts in Uganda. The project officially ended in 2023 after several extensions. It comprised four components: Agricultural Inputs (seeds, planting materials, fertilizers, pesticides) – US$ 65 million, Agricultural Water Management – US$ 36 million, Post-harvest Handling, Storage, Value Addition, and Market Linkages – US$ 34 million, Project Management and Regulations  US$ 15 million.

Regrettably, most of the project components were effectively halted before full implementation in many beneficiary districts.

With a recognition of the widespread failures and continued frustrations surrounding the management and implementation of Uganda’s agricultural development projects amid significant funds borrowed from the World Bank and substantial investments, critical components such as road rehabilitations, input provision, and market linkages remain incomplete or ineffective. The ongoing issues, including the theft of farmer funds, delayed project activities, and collapsed infrastructure, underscore a pattern of mismanagement that has undermined the initial ambitions to transform farmers’ livelihoods. Moving forward, there is a clarion call for comprehensive audits, stringent oversight, and accountability measures to ensure that the scarce resources are utilized effectively to realize the intended economic and social benefits for Ugandan farmers.

By Bazio Doreen.

Adjumani has been nominated as a model district for teenage pregnancy surveillance and response in the financial year 2024/2025 in a zoom meeting convened by the Ministry of Health.

The early morning zoom meeting was held on Friday 19^th September 2025 in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports under the theme: “Strengthening multi sectoral approaches towards reducing teenage pregnancy.”

Previously, Adjumani was also recognized as the best district in Adolescent programing during the 2024 Safe Motherhood conference. 

As of June 2025, the teenage pregnancy rate in Adjumani stood at 15.7% against a national target of 24%. This means that in Uganda, one out of four girls aged 15 – 19 years is already pregnant or has a child.

However, in Adjumani, the coverage of adolescents and young people in Sexual and Reproductive Health related care is quite commendable. In the financial year (FY) 2024/2025, among expectant mothers who attended their 1^st antennal visit, 2,351 out of 14,984 were adolescents; out of 13,572 deliveries conducted, 1,852 were adolescents; and among 49,146 family planning users, 2,255 were adolescents.

Similarly, there is also a tremendous effort in the education sector. Between January and September 2025, about 325 pupils and 225 students were returned to Primary and Secondary schools respectively.  Adjumani has 155,361 in school adolescents and 104,984 out of school adolescents.

In his presentation, Lulu Henry Leku, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Child Health, said one of the best practices of the multi sectoral approach is utilizing the adolescent mentors to take services to where the adolescents are instead of expecting them to all come to the Adolescent/Youth Friendly Corner.

“We are now confident that the 7 well trained Adolescent mentors and 153 health workers trained on SRHR will provide a well-coordinated and collaborative responsive and surveillance even after all implementing partners leave the district. They help us to use a multisectoral approach by building synergies between government and all the partners implementing SRHR interventions,” Lulu confidently boosted.    

Lulu also said that in Adjumani all stakeholders acknowledge that teenage pregnancy is a reality and different platforms needs to be utilized because it is costly not to do so.

“We recognize that adolescents are actively involving in sex and thus teenage pregnancy is not only a reality but inevitable. Between 2012 and 2024, about 1,735,792 children are estimated to have dropped out in due course of transition from primary one to senior six. Our country loses about 645 billion due to school dropout with teenage pregnancy being one of the drivers,” Lulu said. 

Lulu further added that the recognition is relieving for Adjumani because the worst 23 districts with the highest teenage pregnancy burden are expected to share response progress reports to the Ministry of Health every Friday and also attend sessions online where the best performing districts share good practices.

Some of the best Sexual and Reproductive Health response practices by Adjumani related to adolescents also include: capacity building of all stakeholders for provision of adolescent responsive SRHR services and Gender Based Violence prevention, creating a safe and gender responsive learning environment, sensitization on existing education policies, roll out of prevention and management of teenage pregnancy guidelines, mentor child mothers for school re-entry, and functionalization of the District Committee on Adolescent Health.

While congratulating the district on the zoom call attended by over 200 stakeholders from other districts, Dr. Irene Mwenyango, Assistant Commissioner Adolescent and Sexual Health – Ministry of Health, thanked Adjumani for being a model district even as they grapple with hosting refugees. She also thanked the partners in Adjumani for choosing to support the communities to reduce teenage pregnancies by promoting sexual and reproductive health rights for adolescents. 

“I want to thank the leadership of Adjumani for ensuring that the district is a role model for teenage pregnancy surveillance and response. While the Ministry is looking at the target of 15% teenage pregnancy by 2030, I am glad that Adjumani is already tending towards it. I urge the rest of the districts on the call to pick the good practices,” Dr. Irene said. 

Henry Ssemakula, the Assistant Commissioner School health at the Ministry of Education and Sports, who was moderating the discussion also congratulated Adjumani for being one of the best performing districts in responding to teenage pregnancies and urged other districts to emulate the best practices. 

“You can imagine that 200 people are on the call to learn from you. We want to hear from you how Adjumani has for many year tried to maintain a low teenage pregnancy rate amidst many challenges like COVID-19 and hosting a large number of refugees,” Ssemakula said.

Similarly, Jovine Atima, Program Officer Adolescent and School Health Division – Ministry of Health, appreciated the district leadership saying that their achievement is unique to other districts with many non-governmental organizations. She also expressed gratitude to the district for putting in place a district committee on adolescent health before their other counterparts.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the district leadership. I have heard some people say that the success is because of many SRHR partners but we have seen districts where they have similar funding and many partners and yet they are not performing well,” Atima Said.

In affirmation, Annah Muhawe, a Senior Medical Officer at Right to Play, said that Adjumani has a very supportive leadership that has made it easy to not only implement interventions but also have strong and fruitful collaborations and coordination.

“We implement in many districts but Adjumani is unique. They have a unique sense of cooperation. They make it easy for the SHARE partners to implement, support and work together with government structures,” Annah said.

Indeed the biggest contributor to this success has been the 4 year long interventions under the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project. Active since 2022, the implementation is led by Right To Play in partnership with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), and WaterAid, with technical support from FHI 360, and financial support from Global Affairs Canada.

Through the project, adolescents and young people between 10 – 24 years old and can access mentorship groups that equip them with the skills and knowledge to advocate for their health-related rights, and promote gender equity within their personal lives and communities.

So far, the SHARE project has: formed 65 school health clubs, trained 33 Social Behavioral Change mentors, trained 200 teachers, conducted 900 dialogues, trained 129 VHTs, supported 43 Health Centres, supported 08 secondary schools and formed 104 community groups that are now Village Loans and Savings group.

Cumulatively, as of March 2025, Adjumani and its partners had reached out to over 11,851 adolescents and young persons with SRHR information and referred them to the nearest health facilities according to records at the District Health Office.

Meanwhile, the statistics in Adjumani still need more efforts from all stakeholders as some of the sub counties have a high teenage pregnancy rate. The teenage pregnancy rate in Adjumani stands at: Adropi (21.8%), Ofua (20%), Arinyapi (19.6%), Pakele Sub County (16.9%), Pakele Town Council (16.6%), Ukusijoni (16%), Ciforo (15.7%), Dzaipi (15.3%), Itirikwa (14.9%), Pachara (14.5%), and Adjumani Town Council (12.3%).

The estimated population of Adjumani according to National Population and Housing Census 2024, is about 452,648 with 240,000 as nationals and 212,648 as refuges. Adjumani has 52 health centres with 40 of them government aided, 3 non for profit, and 9 privately owned. The district also has 383 schools with 171 nursery centres, 180 for primary level, 24 for secondary level and 8 tertiary institutions.

END.

By Anzoo Evaline

Adjumani – In a bid to improve adolescent access and utilization of health services, Right to Play in partnership with WaterAid and FHI360 under the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) project have distributed sports materials to all the 43 health facilities across Adjumani district.

The intervention follows growing concerns over low revisit rates by adolescents to health facilities, largely attributed to the absence of adolescent-friendly corners that make health centres welcoming to young people.

Speaking during the handover, Othman Bagonizi the project officer working with right to play has emphasized the purpose of the materials and citied that the aim of the sport materials is to keep the adolescents busy when they visit the health facilities

“Under the SRHR Project, Right to Play in particular has provided the sports materials that’s football, netballs, volleyballs and volleyball nets that will be given to all the health centre facilities across the district to support adolescent to easily reach or seek for services from the health centres as they engage in sports activities”, said the project officer Othman.

The package of sports materials delivered includes footballs, netballs, volleyball and volleyball net to enhance peer-to-peer engagement among youth during health facility visits.

The District Assistant health officer in charge of maternal health care Dr. Lulu Henry Leku welcomed the donation and said that it has been a challenge to them since the revisit of the health facility by the adolescents.

“These particular materials that we have received are going to be used in all the health facilities in the district, we have witnessed increased OPD attendance by the Adolescent accessing our services. Our biggest challenge has been the revisit many young people don’t go back and one of the feedback we have got is that they do not have any service that can keep them at the facility”, The DHO stressed.

The deputy RDC Emmanuel Okwere commended the effort, and pledged proper monitoring by his office to ensure proper utilization. “I want to commend the good work our partners are doing in the district in ensuring improved standard of living, and I want to pledged we as a government monitors in the district, we are going to play our part in ensuring that this sports equipment we are receiving here today are properly utilized”, said Deputy RDC.

With the new approach, stakeholders are optimistic that revisit rates among adolescents will improve significantly, ensuring they receive continuous care and support in areas of sexual reproductive and health rights.