Northern Uganda is characterised by a combination of acute poverty, chronic insecurity, vulnerability to drought, poor infrastructure and very limited marketing opportunities, with issues of social and cultural marginalisation. Oxfam Ireland is supporting over 220,000 people in the region in a number of different ways.
Unwrapped gifts in action in Uganda
See how Oxfam Unwrapped gifts can make a real difference in Kitgum, Northern Uganda:
Support to pastoralist organisations
In Karamoja region, Oxfam provides funding to pastoralist organisations which seek to empower people to realise their rights. Organisation such as the Dodoth Agro Pastoral Development group which assists local people through improved animal health, crop development and access to essential services.
Support to women’s groups
Three women’s groups are being supported to develop income generating activities that will assist their families including the provision of cereal grinding mills to enable people to make flour based foods.
Peace-building
Oxfam Ireland is also working to ensure lasting peace in the region. Local Government authorities are being resourced to monitor and support peace programmes, while community groups are trained in the principles of peaceful co-existence. The emphasis of the programme is to assist people to live together in harmony and develope sustainable livelihoods using the limited natural resources available to them.
Water action plans
Oxfam Ireland is also involved in the development of community water action plans, which seeks to provide a sustainable source of water to all people in the district. Technical assistance is provided to determine what kind of water will be provided (borehole, windmill etc). Nine parishes are being provided with bore-hole kits. Training is also provided so that communities can manage their own water resources in the future.
Rock Catchment Project
During 2008 some really innovative work started in the Nassipir Integrated Community Livelihoods project in the arid Karamoja region. There are rocks in this drought prone area where precious rain can be trapped – and that is how this community has now developed a supply of water for drinking, a dam for watering their animals, and land irrigation beside the dam, where vegetables are now being grown for the first time.
Eyewitness: From Transition to Transformation
Oxfam’s Livelihoods Programme Coordinator, Kate O’Donnell, speaks of her experience in Kitgum, Uganda.
You can help
€29 / £23 from Oxfam Unwrapped can buy a piglet. Pigs eat weeds and household waste. They provide families living in transition camps after the war with nutritious meat – and can be sold for an income too.
