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Harvesting Health: Integrating Nutrition and Sustainable Farming in Mt. Elgon

Accelerating Resilient Food Systems in Africa (RVO)

Inception Week: August 12-16, 2024

Last week, our new initiative, Harvesting Health: Integrating Nutrition and Sustainable Farming in Mt. Elgon, officially kicked off in Kapchorwa, Uganda. This exciting project, supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) under their Accelerating Resilience Food Systems in Africa (ARFSA) program, marks the beginning of a transformative three-year journey. Selected from 150 applicants, our project aims to bolster the nutritional status and food security of communities in Kapchorwa and Kween districts.

Building on the solid foundation laid by our consortium partners—Food for the Hungry (FH) and the Kapchorwa Civil Society Organization Alliance (KACSOA)—this project draws on extensive local expertise. AidEnvironment, a key player in the region for the past four years, has been pioneering the Green Future Farming project (funded by the IKEA Foundation). This initiative focused on circular agriculture to restore degraded lands, enhance water availability, and boost vegetation cover. Additionally, it offered investment opportunities for young farmers, improving their coffee crops and access to sustainable markets through regenerative agriculture, value chain development, and landscape management.

FH brings a deep-rooted presence in Kapchorwa and Kween, working closely with women’s care groups and local schools. These care groups, composed of women who meet to discuss nutrition and community challenges, use a cascading model to spread information. Each trained woman shares her knowledge with others, creating a network of informed individuals. FH also supports school programs on nutrition, entrepreneurship, and literacy.

KACSOA, a network of NGOs, community-based, and faith-based organizations across Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo, focuses on advocacy in education, health, agriculture, environmental management, climate change, and human rights. As part of our consortium, KACSOA will drive advocacy and policy implementation to foster a supportive environment for the project.

From August 12 to 16, the consortium gathered for a dynamic Inception Week, filled with strategic meetings and site visits:

  • Monday, August 12: The week began with an engaging session at the AidEnvironment office, where consortium members presented their organizations and their roles in the Harvesting Health project. Breakout sessions followed to discuss coordination points and action plans, culminating in a group discussion of the day’s outcomes.
  • Tuesday, August 13: Project managers met with local government officials from Kapchorwa and Kween to introduce the project. Meanwhile, team members finalized the initial action plan. The day also included visits to Moyok Primary School and other local schools, as well as a care group, to observe FH’s work with school gardens and the cascading impact of their care groups.
  • Wednesday, August 14: The day began with a reflection session at AidEnvironment’s office, reviewing the progress of the first two days. Later, consortium members visited a farmer group in West Division to see AidEnvironment’s regenerative agriculture efforts, including biofertilizer training, biodigesters, and the establishment of nurseries with indigenous, fruit trees and crops.
  • Thursday, August 15: We celebrated the official launch of the project at AidEnvironment’s office, with government officials and stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Education, Agriculture, and local districts in attendance.
  • Friday, August 16: The week concluded at the KACSOA office, where members learned about the organization’s advocacy role and shared reflections on an inspiring and productive week.

With the combined expertise and dedication of our consortium, we are thrilled to officially launch the Harvesting Health project. Our collective energy and commitment will drive this initiative to make a significant impact on the lives of the people in Mt. Elgon.

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The Sebei Regional Dialogue on Elections

In a significant move towards advancing the national discourse on Free and Fair Elections, a recent regional dialogue facilitated by KACSOA has led to a consensus on several key electoral issues. The initiative provided a platform to present political and electoral reforms, emerging from extensive citizen consultations held through the “Topowa” and “Fireplace” conversations.

During the forum, Charicha Alex Bosco Chapman highlighted the need to elevate academic qualifications for leaders. He criticized the presence of MPs who lack a proper understanding of the constitution, which has led to ill-advised amendments, such as the removal of presidential term limits without a referendum. Chapman emphasized that reinstating term limits is crucial to safeguarding democracy.

Charicha Alex Bosco Chapman making his presentation during the Dialogue | KACSOA Photo

Another critical issue raised was the current requirement for public servants to resign before joining politics. Participants argued that they should be allowed to apply for leave without pay instead, to avoid losing their positions if unsuccessful in elections. This requirement has deterred many capable individuals from participating in politics.

Osman Sayekwo pointed to the inactivity of the Sebei Parliamentary Caucus as a contributing factor to the region’s unresolved challenges. He noted that Uganda’s primary problem is not a lack of reforms but the unwillingness of those in power to follow established rules. Sayekwo also pointed out that low civic competence among citizens leads to the election of unqualified leaders, as many voters are unaware of the criteria for choosing their representatives.

Mr. Osman Sayekwo the Eastern region youth Coordinator | KACSOA Photo.

The high cost of nomination fees was another issue that drew attention. Mrs. Roselyn Chemos lamented that these fees have barred many young and capable individuals from running for office, simply because they cannot afford the costs.

Mrs. Roselyn Chemos a Civic Mentor | KACSOA Photo

In addition, Mrs. Sylvia Kapkweyek highlighted the exploitation of unemployed youth during elections and stressed the need for a retirement package for politicians. She argued that the absence of such provisions is a significant reason why many politicians are reluctant to relinquish power.

Mrs Sylvia Kapkweyek the KACSOA Board Treasurer making her remarks during the Dialogue.

Mr. Musiwa Patrick called on principled individuals to step forward and challenge the perception that politics is a dirty game. He urged a focus on strengthening institutions as the foundation for a robust democracy.

Mr. Musiwa Patrick making his remarks during the Dialogue.

Echoing earlier sentiments, Mr. Cedrick Wanjala reiterated the need to raise the academic qualifications required for leadership positions. He provided an example of a sub-county LCIII chairperson supervising a parish chief with a graduate degree, underscoring the importance of well-educated leaders in governance.

Mr. Cedric Wanjala a KACSOA Civic Mentor making his submission.

From the security sector, Deputy RPC for Sipi region, Mr. Ochieng Moses Sule, affirmed that their role is to support the Electoral Commission upon request, with the security of Ugandans as their top priority. He addressed concerns that the police intimidate citizens, while also noting that there are instances where citizens intimidate law enforcement officers.

Mr. Ochieng Moses Sule the Deputy RPC Sipi Region| KACSOA Photo

In closing, Mr. Namoma Ivan James, the Deputy RDC of Bukwo District, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the issues affecting Ugandans, aiming to make Uganda a better place for everyone. He thanked KACSOA and its funders for organizing the engagement, marking it as a step forward in the pursuit of free and fair elections in Uganda.

Mr. Namoma Ivan James, the Deputy RDC of Bukwo District