The Humanitarian All you need to know about Red Cross Society activities January - March 2008

Our Mission Our Vission

To improve the quality of lives of the An empowered, healthy and self-sustain- most vulnerable people in Uganda as an ing community that responds to the needs effective and efficient humanitarian of the most vulnerable organization The Humanitarian January - March 2008 1

Editorial The various activites that the Inside Uganda Red Cross has engaged in this period have boosted the National Society’s image. Page 5 URCS helps govt The visit of the British royal cou- ple to the URCS youth link at St to scale down Josephs SS Nagalama is a memo- Ebola rable moment for the Society as this was an opportunity of a life- time and exposed URCS activities to the international community.

URCS’ engagement in the rescue of the victims of the collapsed Page 7 building at Nalya in East, Dissemination the fight against malaria through mosquito net distribution through- services extend- out the country, the fight against ed to Karamoja Ebola and the installation of water and sanitation facilities in the var- ious parts of the country did not only help improve the lives of the vulnerable but also created trust in URCS by partners including Uganda’s corporate world. Page 8 URCS installs IT The floods recovery programme that URCS has undertaken in the equipment in east will further boost trust in branches the Society at the grassroot. Editorial team Design and layout; Hasifa Kabejja Principles Editorial adviser; Humanity Catherine Ntabadde Impartiality Neutrality Photos by Catherine Independence Ntabadde, Hasifa Kabejja, Voluntary service Charles Nsamba and Unity Lawrence Lutaaya Universality 2 The Humanitarian January - March 2008

Water and Sanitation Watsan project launched in

By Catherine Ntabadde ed to be reminded about washing their hands after The Uganda Red Cross visiting the toilet. Mr Society (URCS) in line with Wandawa put the annual its goal of being a volun- operational budget of tary relief movement not water and sanitation proj- driven by desire for gain ect in the four districts at recently launched water & Sh350m. "For the immu- sanitation and malaria and nisation and malaria sec- immunisation projects in tor the yearly cost in the Busoga sub-region. operational districts is Sh215m," Mr Masaba The four-year project will said. cover the districts of Kamuli, Mayuge, Iganga Mr Ssebunya said it was and Tororo. During the embarrassing that after URCS Vice Chairman Robert Ssebunya (2nd R) trys out a motorcycle dur- 45 years of Uganda's official launch in Iganga ing the launch of the water and sanitation programme in Iganga. Looking town, Mr Robert Ssebunya, on are other officials. independence many serv- ices that would be obvi- the vice-chairperson of cycles, mosquito nets and other items. URCS Central Governing Board said ous are still lacking. malaria was a number one nationwide "Ensure the facilities that come with As part of the project, 40 district the programme are not misused. Don't killer as many lives have been lost to trainers as well as several others at sub- the disease in Uganda. use the project bicycle or motorcycle county levels were trained. Their main to take your wife or children for job is to ensure the programme runs Mr Ssebunya said the Red Cross leisure rides," Mr Ssebunya cautioned. smoothly in their respective areas of Ms Connie Bwire, the malaria control programme targeting operation. vector control had gone ahead to do nursing officer, said Red Cross had commendable work in all operational done a lot of work in the area includ- Mr Patrick Wandawa, a senior pro- ing improving the environment. districts. He emphasized the need for gramme officer, said he was in charge prevention of disease attacks than of implementing the water and sanita- waiting to treat patients. "We have better reproductive health tion programme while Mr Abdu programmes, quick response to emer- Masaba took charge of the malaria gencies and increased voluntary blood Mr Ssebunya observed that during and immunisation sector. "My duties time spent in school, many people are donations," Bwire said. She said the cover educating people to realize the HIV/AIDS awareness now stood at advised to drink boiled water only but importance of latrines and other good many still consume unboiled water. He 90% although condom distribution practices which boost domestic sanita- outlets were yet to be demarcated. handed to the field team six laptops, tion," Mr Wandawa said. 12 bicycles, 120 gumboots, five motor- He said a number of people still need- 2008 graduands Obituary Allen Victo Nandyose is a vol- Stephen Asimwe Nyangoma unteer under tracing in passed away on 8th was awarded a the Disaster February. He served Bachelors in Management as a driver at the Arts Degree Department. She Uganda Red Cross at Makerere received a Bachelors Saociety for tens University on Degree in Social Sciences years. May his soul 31st January, from MakerereUniversity rest in eternal 2008. on 30th January. peace. The Humanitarian January - March 2008 3 Water and Sanitation water coverage improved By Hasifa Kabejja Demonstration School, Mr Richard Otine, Uganda Red Cross appreciated the efforts Society with financial of Red Cross taking support from the water closer to their German government community, saying it through the German will save residents from Red Cross has launched a water and sanitation collecting water 2kms project worth 400,000 away from their homes. euros in Oyam district to uplift the lives of vul- Oyam district LC5 nerable people after 20 Chairman, Mr Okello years of the Lord's Engola Macodwogo, Resistance Army insur- said water is the biggest gency. challenge in the district URCS started implement- since most of the water ing the project on 15th URCS Deputy Secretary General Michael Nataka drinks water from points in the area were September 2007 and it is a borehole constructed at Amwa Demonstration School in Oyam destroyed by the Lord's District under the URCS water and sanitation programme. Looking expected to go on up to Resistance Army rebels on are Mr Harry Van Putten (R), the German Red Cross water and during the 20 years of 15th May 2008. sanitation delegate and the District Chairman Okello Engola. It is aimed at improving insurgency in the north. access to safe drinking Amwa Demonstration School in "We are so grateful that you have water as well as to improve hygiene Minakulu sub county on 13th come to empower us. We shall and health of 19,000 former inter- March, Mr Harry Van Putten, the ensure that the water sources are nally displaced people who are in German Red Cross water and sani- well protected, Mr Engola told a the process of resettling in the four tation project coordinator, said delegation of Uganda Red Cross sub counties of Minakulu, Ngai, Oyam is a pilot district for the and German Red Cross officials Otwal and Iceme in Oyam district project but they expect to rollout who participated in the launch. in northern Uganda. to other districts. He pledged more The four sub counties were the support in the resettlement of He said under the recovery pro- worst-affected in the district by the IDPs. LRA insurgency. gramme in the sector of agriculture, returnees are encouraged to culti- "We want to support Oyam district vate quick yielding crops like up- According to the URCS water and in her recovery programmes of land rice, soya-beans, sunflowers in sanitation project officer in Oyam resettling the returnees from IDP order to improve their nutrition. district, Mr Henry Odong, six camps by providing the basic needs springs have been protected, four of the people among which is water Residents of Odokorai village which boreholes drilled and 25 boreholes and sanitation," Mr Putten said. is also in Minakulu Sub County rehabilitated in all the sub counties. Amwa Demonstration School and could not hold back excitement as Five drainable pit latrines have been Amwa Progressive which are some Red Cross officials drove into their constructed, one per Sub County. of the beneficiaries of the borehole village to commission one of the Two latrines are being constructed have 1,523 pupils and 400 students protected springs. They danced and in Iceme Sub County due to its big respectively. Over 2,000 people in sang several songs praising the Red population. Minakulu Sub County are expected Cross as some rushed to the spring Speaking at the commissioning of to benefit from the borehole. Turn to page 16 one of the drilled boreholes at The headmaster of Amwa 4 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 First Aid services Red Cross assists victims of city collapsed building By Hasifa Kabejja

Uganda Red Cross Society did commendable work in saving the lives of the victims of a col- lapsed building at St Peters Nalya SS in Kampala East by offering first aid and ambu- lance services.

The Red Cross volunteers carried victims to ambulances and were fast to administer first aid on every person who was rescued alive from the rubbles.

The four-storey building that collapsed on 30th January, killed 11 people and injured 12. Seven people survived without injuries. Police identi- fied some of the dead as Joseph Osinde, Kaloli Muhwezi, Andrew Wako, Isma Mulika, Daniel Wambi, Justus Akankwasa, Julius Kyankunda alias Mulaasi, James Niiwabiine and Alex Assimwe.

The Police, engineers and residents blamed the collapse on shoddy work. One of the survivors said they used to mix one bag of cement with seven wheel barrows of sand. According to construction rules, one bag of cement should be mixed with only one wheel barrow of sand.

Architects and engineers, led by Housing Minister Michael Werikhe Kafabusa, discovered that the building foundation was designed for URCS volunteers display a stretcher for victims of the collapsed building in two floors but it had four. Naalya, Kampala East. site on the day the accident lapsed in 2006 and killed 28 people. Criminal Investigation detectives arrested two occurred, announced that the gov- Several other buildings within and officials of Kira Town Council, the town engi- ernment would come out with outside the city have collapsed in neer, Samuel Mwesigwa and the physical plan- stern measures to ensure that peo- the previous years and all the inci- ner, Mr Godfrey Kato, in connection with the ple who construct storey buildings dents have been blamed on shoddy incident. adhere to new construction guide- work. “The two are with us to help with the investiga- lines. tions,” Police spokesman, Gabriel Tibayunga, Uganda Red Cross Society through said. “They were taken for interrogation The incident is not the first of its its Disaster Management pro- because they were responsible for authorising kind. In 2004, a building collapsed gramme and with assistance from the plan and supervising the construction.” in Bwebajja on Entebbe Road and volunteers has been very instru- Works Minister John Nasasira, who visited the killed 27 people. The City of the mental in providing first aid servic- Lord Church in Kalerwe also col- es during these incidents. By Catherine Ntabadde What should have resulted into deciding the future leader of turned into election violence then tribal clashes, dis- placing over 12,000 Kenyans into Uganda. These have since been declared refugees.

Day by day, they would cross either through Malaba, Busia, Manafwa, Kapchorwa or Bukwo seeking refuge in their neigh- bouring country Uganda. The Kikuyus, Luos and Klegins decided to fight each other, one tribe accusing the other of vote rigging. From December 27, 2007 todate (April 2008), the Kenyan refugees had to learn to survive as refugees even when most of them where well off in their own country. The displacement followed the declaration of President Mwai Kibaki as the new President of Kenya. The results were disputed by Orange Democratic Movement opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The suffering of the Kenyan refugees in Uganda was however lessened when humanitarian organisations like Uganda Red Cross Society intervened to support them and manage the centres that were initially at Malaba and Busia. URCS was the first organisation to intervene and manage the refugee reception centres which were initially schools; St. Jude Primary School Malaba and Busia Integrated Primary School. URCS distributed over 30, 000 non food items to refugees who where trans- ferred to Mulanda Transit camp. The camp is still under the management of URCS with UNHCR carrying out the overall coordination. The NFIs distributed include mosquito nets, cooking pots, jerrycans, blankets, soap, tarpaulins, cups, plates.

Since the camps were initially stationed at schools, the refugees from Busia and Malaba together with refugees from Bukwo, Kapchorwa and Manafwa had to be re-located to Mulanda in Tororo a former technical institute. However not all the refugees were willing to be re-located. Some preferred to stay nearer to the border so as to easily monitor the situation across the border while others decided to stay with relatives or rent houses.

Relief distribution URCS distributed more NFIs to the refugees at Mulanda including those from Manafwa, Bukwo and Kapchorwa who had not initially received.

As you arrive at Mulanda, you can easily notice that it is a refugee transit camp. The over 400 UNHCR cream tents say it all. Other players in the operations included UN-OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, Save the Children, Office of Prime Minister, Tororo District Local Government, community members, Police (for security), ICRC, IFRC , MSF, Salvation Amry, World Vision, Christian Children's Fund, Rotary Club, Plan Uganda, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) among others.

URCS constructed twenty pit latrines of four stances each and 15 bath shelters. Red Cross also provide tracing services, car- ried out sensitisation on hygiene and community sensitisation so that the communities accept the Kenyan refugees. The refugees had access to safe and clean water, thanks to UNICEF. Each family had a charcoal stove and charcoal which enabled them prepare meals provided by the Prime Minister's Office and WFP. The charcoal stoves and charcoal were provided by GOAL, Salvation Army.

The number of children at the camp was over 300. These had their education affected since they couldn't return to Kenya to continue with their studies. Good enough, Save the Children embarked on the school project within the camp to take care of the children. During midday every day, it was time to play for the children. A number of games were introduced to keep the children lively.

The situation in Kenya has normalised with the power sharing between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga but the refugees at Mulanda seem to have found a new home in Uganda. As of March 31, 2008, Mulanda had 1, 907 refugees. 6 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 British Royal honour Education URCS gets funds for education project By Catherine Ntabadde

The Uganda Red Cross Society has received 750, 000 Swiss Francs from UBS Optimus Foundation to implement a three-year education project aimed at improving the quality of lives and the learning envi- A student in the Red Cross Club of St Josephs Nagalama explains to the Prince and other delegates some the Red Cross activities. ronment orphans and disadvan- taged children. Prince Charles visits Red Through Wakiso branch, URCS will build a school in Kasangati, to cater for 600 Cross Club in Mukono Branch orphans. As a result of By Hasifa Kabejja aid kits and HIV sensitization materials AIDS/HIV that prevails in the were displayed. country, a number of children It was jubilations as the Prince of Wales have either lost a parent or both and the Dutches of Cornwall visited St. The students in the Red Cross Club also parents. These children rarely Josephs SSS Nagalama on 24th demonstrated the major causes of acci- have the opportunity to go to November, 2007. dents in Uganda and the kind of first school. aid that can be administered. The Prince On arrival at the school, the couple was was irked by the causes of accidents but The school will offer children treated to different traditional dances and was impressed by the timely response. free education at primary and songs by the students. “The rescue is timely and the first aid secondary levels. very good to resuscitate the victims. But The Prince and his wife Camila had visit- why do they (motorcyclists) have to As a way to self-sustain the ed the school to witness some of the key carry so many people and drive reckless- school project, various income activities carried out by the Red Cross ly?” he asked. generating activities are being Club. The Red Cross Club at St. Joseph’s integrated into the everyday life Secondary School is among the 1917 The Chairman of the Uganda Red Cross of the school. The children will youth clubs/links in different institutions Society, Mr Tom Buruku, commended St be trained in chicken and fish that contribute to the over 150, 000 Josephs Nagalama for having imparted farming as well as pig breeding. membership and volunteer force in the the Red Cross skills and values into the The children will also be educat- country. students, to enable them take the lead in ed about HIV/AIDS, malaria, humanitarian activities. hygiene, safety on the streets Through these links, students are taught and children’s rights. Red Cross principles and values and are Mr Buruku thanked the Prince for the empowered to take the lead in humanitar- support the National Society receives ian work. A student of the Red Cross from the UK, especially from British Red Club took the Prince, his wife Camila and Cross and DFID to enable it improve the other visiting delegates through a blood quality of lives of Ugandans. He also donation session, explaining to them the commended other partners like the procedure followed in donating blood European Union, Danish Red Cross and and its benefits. Their Royal Highnesses the International Committee of the Red also toured an exhibition at which first Cross for the support rendered to URCS. The Humanitarian January - March 2008 7 Dissemination Services extended to Karamoja By Catherine Ntabadde

For the Karamajongs, a Red Cross emblem does not mean anything to them. In facnt they do not know what it repre- sents although they can ably tell that the Red Cross emblem is different from the blue emblem commonly used by hospi- tals, drug stores and health centres.

One official from Moroto Local Government wondered how the Red Cross emblem can protect the Red Cross Movement during their operations. "How can the emblem protect you when there is war? Why don't you have escorts when travelling to areas of insecurity? the participant asked. This was after Mr. Charles Oneka, a Dissemination Focal Person told participants during a dissemination exercise that officials from the Red Cross Movement are not allowed to have army escorts even when they are operating in a war torn area because the emblem acts as a symbol of protec- tion and identification.

Karamoja sub region is not alone. Several people are ignorant about the Red Cross Emblem. That is why URCS carries out dissemination activities in the Karamoja sub region and other districts where its operates to sensitise Ugandans about the abuse of emblem, International Humanitarian Law and the seven principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Participants were also sensitised about the roles and activities of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), National Societies, International Federation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The trainings are characterised with visuals detailing the messages disseminated to participants. URCS Public Relations Officer Catherine Ntabadde chats with To some people, URCS is a medical or health provider. Karimojong in Moroto. She was in the region to educate residents A participant asked one of the URCS officials in about Red Cross principles and values. Moroto after she introduced herself whether she was a nurse.

Participants were informed that no organisation apart from the Red Cross Movement, Army Medical Units should use the Red Cross emblem. The participants were warned against misusing the emblem as it negatively portrays the image of the URCS and the other Red Cross Movement.

The Army Medical units authorized to use a Red Cross emblem must be a distance from the Army barracks even when they are located within the barracks for purposes of neutrality since the medical units are meant to support any injured or anybody who needs the service.

During all the dissemination exercises, volunteer dissemination teams are also trained to disseminate within their commu- nities. 8 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 Communication and IT URCS installs IT equipment in branches

By Allen Nyangoma Mr. Hannington Ssegirinya after receiv- ing the award from Geneva. The Uganda Red Cross Society in October and November 2007 installed IT equipment at various society branches in the districts Youth win award of , Amuria, Katakwi, Lira, and at the headquarter. By Catherine Ntabadde The installation was done by the URCS radio team with help from the International Federation of Red Cross to help boost the com- The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) Youth in munication capacity of branches in the flood-affected districts. December won an award in the category of "Reducing the impact of diseases and public health The items installed included HF and VHF base stations. The team emergencies", for the innovative approach combin- ing all elements of the Red Cross/Red Crescent also installed one desktop PC, a printer and a UPS in the Katakwi global HIV strategy: prevention, care, treatment office. Two desktop PCs and one UPS were also installed in Lira. and support, anti-stigma, advocacy and in active The computers in Lira were also updated with Antivirus soft- partnership with young people living with HIV. ware. The award is dubbed 'Youth together for humanity Radios were also installed in most of URCS vehicles to ease com- Award 2007". The award reads as follows, "IFRC is munication for drivers. Forty VH radio handsets were handed out proud to reward the youth of URCS for their pro- to URCS staff who were initially trained how to operate them. gramme HIV and AIDS Home Based Care, show- ing how youth make a difference by working The installation has eased communication among the branches together.” in the districts that were severely affected by the floods. Branches can now communicate countrywide. The award was established by IFRC and Red Crescent Youth Commission to recognize the con- tribution of youth volunteers to the Global Agenda goals of the IFRC/RC. This programme was selected as the best among the applicants in the category "Reducing the Impact of Disease and Public Health emergencies." As part of the award, the URCS youth also won a laptop from IFRC/RC.

Shaban re-elected Meanwhile, the Branch Field Coordinator of Entebbe, Mr. Shaban Mawanda has been re-nomi- nated to the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC) Youth Commission to serve for the 2007/09 tenure.

Shaban was until early 2007 the National Youth Council Chairman. He was replaced by Mr. Hannington Ssegirinya. Members of the IFRC Youth Commission repre- sent African youths to the federation. The Commission is an advocacy forum where URCS senior radio operator Ismail Mutumba and Entebbe BFC Mawanda members propose priorities of work on behalf of Shaban install radios at the Soroti Branch. the youths in Africa. The Humanitarian January - March 2008 9 Uganda Red Cross activi

Some of the ladies who attend dinner is held every year to ra north. The Mama Bag kit cont

Some of the people who participated in the 2007 MTN Marathon. The proceeds from the marathon were given to URCS to assist the vulnerable people in the north and eastern parts of the country.

URCS staff Patrick Wandawa (L), Edward Sek Students of the Red Cross Club at St Josephs SS Nagalama perform a first aid skit for Prince during the 2007 end of year party. Charles (in gray suit) and his wife Camila. 10 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 ities in pictures

The URCS Deputy Secretary General, Mr Michael Nataka (L), hands relief items to Kenya refugees at Mulanda in Tororo District. ded the URCS fundraising dinner on 26th November, 2007. The aise fundsfor the Mama Bag kit for expectant mothers in the tains equipment an expectant mother uses during delivery.

Diamond Trust Bank Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Varghese Thambi (C) and another kayiba (C) and Bruce Ntege exchange gifts DTB official (R), hand some of the non food items donated to by the bank to Kenya refugees to the Uganda Red Cross Society Chairman, Mr Tom Buruku (2nd L). The bank donated tarpaulins, jerrycans, blankets and mosquito nets. Looking on is URCS Deputy Secretary General, Mr Richard Michael Nataka. The Humanitarian January - March 2008 11 Red Cross participates in World AIDS Day celebrations By Catherine Ntabadde branch volunteers and officers from tion campaign through condom use both branches. promotion use and distribution. Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) Presentations for the day were made through its Kampala South and URCS exhibited different materials and through music with HIV/AIDs aware- Kampala East branches on December items like Information, Education and ness and prevention messages encour- 1, 2007 participated in the World Aids Communication materials and handi- aging the youth to abstain, the married International celebrations at Gaba crafts by Positive Living clubs from the to be faithfulness, accessing Prevention Landing site. two branches. of Mother to Child Transmission serv- The two branches were involved in ices for the pregnant women and sensi- the assembling of various categories There was distribution of condoms tization on how to access Voluntary of people like home care project before and during the celebrations. Counseling and Testing services after beneficiaries volunteers and other URCS takes part in the HIV preven- knowing one’s status. Malaria campaign URCS gives nets to 15 districts By Charles Nsamba of charge.

Uganda Red Cross In Uganda, malaria has Society has distributed historically been a very 62,500 insecticide treated serious health problem and mosquito nets in 15 dis- currently poses the most tricts in its campaign to significant threat to the stamp out malaria. health of the population. The target groups are Malaria is spread from a Orphans and Vulnerable bite of a mosquito. When Children (OVC), People a mosquito bites an infect- Living with HIV and ed person, it ingests the AIDS and expectant malaria parasites found in mothers. that person’s blood. After a week or more, the mos- Speaking at the launch Vector Control Officer Anguaku Anthony (2nd L) par- quito can spread the para- of the campaign at ticipates in the distribution of mosquito nets donate by Uganda site to other people. Nakawa Division head- Red Cross to residents of Katrinu Sub County in Arua. quarters, the Secretary your homes and clear off any stag- According to the Ministry of General, Mrs. Alice Uwase Anukur, nant water to avoid harbouring Health, malaria currently accounts appealed to the public to invest in mosquitoes.” for 25-40% of all outpatients’ vis- mosquito nets to prevent deaths its at health facilities, 20% of hos- due to malaria. The Chairman of the Branch pital admissions, 9-14% of in- Central Governing Board, Mr. patients deaths, a case-fatality rate “We have to continue the fight Kaganda Godfrey, commended of 3-5% (which is an under-esti- against malaria by keeping the mos- Uganda Red Cross Society for mate), 23% and 11% of deaths quito net up,” Mrs Anukur said. establishing and supporting the among the under 5s in high and “Apart from keeping the net up, Post Test Club of people living medium malaria transmission you should shut windows in the with HIV/Aids by among others areas respectively. evening, slash all the bushes around distributing mosquito nets free 12 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 Mama Bag Shs70m raised from fundraising dinner By Catherine Ntabadde President said, “As a result of the peace The evening of 26th negotiations, majority of October, 2007 was a mem- families have returned to orable day for the Uganda their communities from Red Cross Society (URCS) IDP camps. These people as the Society hosted over include expectant mothers 400 guests to its who need your support to Fundraising Dinner which re-start their lives. That is yielded over Shs70 million why the Mama Bag project in soft and hard pledges, implemented by Uganda sale of cards and auctions. Red Cross Society is an important project supple- The dinner which was menting Government’s graced by the Rt. Hon. efforts,” he said. Prime Minister of Uganda, Some of the URCS board members who attended the din- Prof. Apollo Nsibambi ner at Hotel Africana in Kampala. URCS Central Board aimed at raising funds to the fundraising taskforce. Governing Chairman Tom enable URCS support The dinner was spiced up with a presentation about Buruku thanked the organ- expectant mothers in the the need to fundraise for this vulnerable group; the ising committee which formerly flooded regions of expectant mothers returning to the communities and included the 9 women vol- Teso and Lango and also those affected by floods between September and unteers who worked tire- expectant mothers return- October 2007. lessly to see that the event ing to their communities takes place. He said the after spending most of The guests were also treated to an eye catching docu- Mama Bag project followed their lives in Internally mentary highlighting the plight of the people affected a needs assessment by Displaced Camps. by floods in Northern and Lango regions, the URCS in IDP camps which National Society’s operations in the flood hit regions, revealed that much as every- The money was used to distributions of non food items and the general situa- one is vulnerable, there were purchase Mama Bag and tion of families hit by the floods. The documentary gender specific needs for Return Kits for expectant was an offer from Nation TV Uganda (NTV) as part expectant mothers due to mothers and families affect- of their contribution to URCS’ flood appeal. break down of health facili- ed by floods. The Mama ties and infrastructure. Bag contains tools used Guests included representatives of the corporate during delivery and the world in Uganda, representatives of URCS’ donors Mr. Buruku said this year, return kit contains farming and partners, URCS board members and staff. URCS intends to support equipment. The Prime Minister said the Government has for the expectant mothers in 2, 000 past one and half years been engaged in peace talks households through differ- The Mama Bag is a four- with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) to see that ent local fundraising events year project initiated by people in Northern and Eastern Uganda enjoy peace. like the fundraising dinner, URCS with support from In the President’s speech read by Prof. Nsibambi, the Golf tournament and MTN 10 women volunteers on International Marathon. The Humanitarian January - March 2008 13

MTN Marathon Road safety Red Cross trains drivers By Hasifa Kabejja

The Uganda Red Cross Society has trained 215 taxi drivers in Iganga District in road safety.

URCS chose Iganga due to the high rate of accidents on the Tororo-Iganga-Jinja highway.

Speaking during the training in Iganga town, a consultant on road safety hired by URCS, Mr Paul Kwamusi, said 80% fatalities occur on this road. He blamed the high number of fatalities on careless MTN gives URCS Shs59m driving, the narrowness of the road, lack of knowledge on road signs and the big number of high marathon proceeds performance vehicles. By Catherine Ntabadde Anukur. The function took place at URCS on Lumumba Avenue. Mr Kwamusi explained to the drivers the meaning of the differ- They run for fun and run for life in MTN through the annual MTN ent road signs. He cautioned the 2007 to save a mother and an Kampala Marathon partnered with drivers to stop over speeding and unborn child. These were over 6, 000 URCS to raise funds for the Mama also appealed to the government to speed up construction of the participants in the MTN Bag project. "It is a pleasure for us to road and to improve the condition International Marathon of which work with the Uganda Red Cross of roads in the country. proceeds have come to Uganda Red such a reputable organization whose Cross Society (URCS) to support the humanitarian work has earned it Mama Bag & Return Kit Project. The Iganga traffic chief, Mr world-wide acclaim," said MTN PRO Francis Okello, said over 75% of Sheila Kangwagye. The project which is four years old the motorists in Iganga district have forged driving permits. He aims at supporting expectant moth- "Therefore from the time they ers formerly in Internally Displaced added that many turn-boys were requested us to partner with them in masquerading as fully-fledged Camps and those in areas affected by this project, we have never looked floods last year. drivers of omnibuses. Mr Okello back. As a company that seeks to warned that fake drivers would be work in a happy environment, we apprehended. On April 1, 2008, MTN handed over pledge to continue our commitment An official from URCS, Mr Dan a cheque of Shs 59 million to URCS to this project." Nsubuga, also gave drivers first for the project. MTN Sponsorship aid tips. He demonstrated to them Manager Aggrey Kagonyera handed Mr. Tom Buruku said the number of how to handle an accident victim over the cheque to URCS' Board participants at last year's marathon and cautioned them to always Chairman Tom Buruku and indicated how Ugandans are willing have first aid kits in their cars. Secretary General Alice Uwase Turn to page 14 14 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 MTN raises Shs59m for Mama Bag From page 13 peace deal and resettlement of the are returning home, more is needed to support fellow Ugandans that are people back in their villages. as they strive to rebuild their liveli- in need. He commended MTN for hoods from scratch" she added. its continued support to URCS ini- "Now that people are returning to The URCS received UGX38m tiatives. their homes, the Mama Bag Kit is from the 2006 MTN Kampala URCS Secretary General Alice no longer enough and that's why Marathon and these proceeds went Uwase Anukur commended MTN we upgraded it to Mama and towards supporting about 2,000 for the tremendous display of sup- Return Kit project so that expecwz- mothers and babies. port and affection it has shown to tant mothers can also receive seeds This year, URCS is focusing on the people of Northern Uganda for and tools," revealed Anukur. recovery & rehabilitation of 10, 000 the past four years after which she "The Mama Bag Kit initially most affected families through shel- highlighted the challenge that is still focused on expectant mothers in ter, food security, water & sanitation ahead in spite of the impending formerly IDP's but now that people interventions. Floods operation URCS embarks on floods recovery programme By Hasifa Kabejja tion and the communities are expected to provide raw materials like poles, Uganda Red Cross Society has fibre, grass and to actively participate embarked on a Shs3 billion in the construction of their shel- recovery programme in the ters. The communities have also worst flood-affected Teso been tasked to mould bricks for region districts of Amuria construction. and Katakwi to improve the standard of living of the One latrine will be constructed vulnerable communities. for each household, according to Mr Kiwanuka. “The shelters have URCS decided to implement been redesigned with raised floors the programme in three worst- to mitigate the impact of floods in affected sub counties in each of the case they return. We have also recruit- districts. In Amuria, the programme is ed and trained 240 volunteers who being implemented in Acowa, URCS Vice Chairman Robert Ssebunya (L) pumps have been dispatched to various Kapelebyong and Obalanga sub a borehole constructed in Acowa Sub County, communities to help out in the con- counties while in Katakwi it is . Washing hands is the Amuria struction process. So far 500 shel- Usuk, Ngarium and Ogongoja District Chairman Julius Ocheing. ters have been put in place,” Mr sub counties that have benefited. Kiwanuka said. Shelter The programme is aimed at construct- Speaking during the launch of the When URCS officials visited one of ing flood-resistant shelters and pit programme at the URCS Soroti office the construction sites in Omorongora latrines for 10,000 households in the on 14th March, Mr Francis Gombya village in Ngarium Sub County on two districts and strengthening com- Kiwanuka, the URCS estates officer, 14th March, residents, especially munities economically through seeds who is leading the shelter programme, women were busy moulding bricks and and tools distribution. It is also focus- said URCS will spend Shs160,000 on fetching water for construction. At ing on camp redesigning, afforestation the construction of each house. each site was a URCS volunteer help- and improvement of ing in the construction. The residents water and sanitation facilities in the He said URCS will provide hard ware expressed appreciation to URCS, say- affected communities. materials like cement and iron sheets ing it had stood with them throughout and technical support during construc- Turn to page 15 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 15 Floods operation Teso flood victims aided From page 14 were depending the difficult situations. However, some on one meal a day communities are against living the due to lack of camps yet the URCS shelter recovery enough food. programme is village centered. He expressed dis- On afforestation, Mr Kiwanuka said appointment at residents will be given various tree the government’s species depending on their needs and slow intervention will be encouraged to plant as many to save the flood trees as possible in their homesteads. victims, saying if URCS will also redesign the camps to the floods money had been given to A volunteer roofs a model house at the Soroti branch. The reduce congestion which will in turn structure is an example of the houses to be constructed for URCS, people in prevent many houses from being flood victims under the Society’s recovery shelter programme. burnt in case of a fire outbreak. the affected com- munities would be better off based on holds. The items distributed included Food security the National Society’s interventions in tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, buck- Based on the fact that 80% of the the flood-affected districts. ets, jerrycans and mosquito nets. food stuff in the Teso region was destroyed by floods, food security Water and sanitation URCS also run a water treatment plant remains precarious; therefore URCS URCS has also implemented a water that provided 195,000 litres of puri- under its food security recovery pro- and sanitation programme in the dis- fied water to 316 households in gramme is distributing seeds to 10,000 tricts. Several boreholes have been Amaseniko IDP camp in Amuria dis- households in Katakwi and Amuria to sank in the various sub counties in trict and a mobile clinic that treated prepare for the next planting season. Amuria district to provide residents over 20,000 people in Amuria and Among the seeds distributed are with safe water and slubs are ready for Katakwi districts of ailments like sorghum, cow peas, onions greens the construction of pit latrines in the malaria, diarrhoea, chicken pox and (dodo), egg plants and sukuma wik. flood-affected communities. URCS respiratory diseases with malaria cases has also trained volunteers to carry on being the highest. This is in addition to the 20,000 seed health promotion mes- kits, hoes and knives that the URCS sages in the flood- The water treatment plant and mobile distributed during the emergency affected communities. clinic equipment were offered by phase of the floods opera- Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). tion. URCS food Emergency phase KRCS also sent in technical staff and security officer Before the recov- M6 trucks to help in the operation. Reuben ery programme, During the emergency phase, URCS Ayine said URCS was also undertook a food security pro- during the involved in gramme and distributed 20,000 seed recovery pro- emergency kits to 20,000 households in the flood- gramme, seeds interven- affected communities to prevent will be distrib- tions to famine. uted to 5,000 mitigate It should also not be forgotten that households in each the URCS also engaged in the improve- district. impact of ment of water and sanitation facilities floods in the Teso by providing water purification sachets Amuria District region. During the pro- and tablets and training 45 volunteers who were dispatched to the field to Chairman Julius Ocheing Seed kits await distributiongramme that in Acowa run from Sub September appreciated URCS for its County, Amuriato December District. 2007, URCS distributed carry on health promotion messages. intervention saying his people non food items to over 23,000 house- 16 The Humanitarian January - March 2008 Refugee influx Kenya refugees get home in Uganda By Catherine Ntabadde over 30, 000 non food items to Christian Children's Fund, Rotary Club, refugees who where transferred to Plan Uganda, The AIDS Support What should have resulted into decid- Mulanda Transit camp. The camp is still Organisation (TASO) among others. ing the future leader of Kenya turned into election violence then tribal clash- under the management of URCS with es, displacing over 12,000 Kenyans into UNHCR carrying out the overall coor- URCS constructed twenty pit latrines of Uganda. These have since been dination. The NFIs distributed include four stances each and 15 bath shelters. declared refugees. mosquito nets, cooking pots, jerrycans, Red Cross also provide tracing servic- blankets, soap, tarpaulins, cups, plates. es, carried out sensitisation on hygiene Day by day, they would cross either and community sensitisation so that the through Malaba, Busia, Manafwa, Since the camps were initially stationed communities accept the Kenyan Kapchorwa or Bukwo seeking refuge in at schools, the refugees from Busia and refugees. The refugees had access to their neighbouring country Uganda. Malaba together with refugees from safe and clean water, thanks to The Kikuyus, Luos and Klegins decid- Bukwo, Kapchorwa and Manafwa had UNICEF. Each family had a charcoal ed to fight each other, one tribe accus- to be re-located to Mulanda in Tororo a stove and charcoal which enabled them ing the other of vote rigging. From former technical institute. However not prepare meals provided by the Prime December 27, 2007 todate (April all the refugees were willing to be re- Minister's Office and WFP. The char- 2008), the Kenyan refugees had to learn located. Some preferred to stay nearer coal stoves and charcoal were provided to survive as refugees even when most to the border so as to easily monitor by GOAL, Salvation Army. of them where well off in their own the situation across the border while country. The displacement followed others decided to stay with relatives or The number of children at the camp the declaration of President Mwai rent houses. was over 300. These had their educa- Kibaki as the new President of Kenya. tion affected since they couldn't return The results were disputed by Orange Relief distribution to Kenya to continue with their studies. Democratic Movement opposition URCS distributed more NFIs to the Good enough, Save the Children leader Raila Odinga. refugees at Mulanda including those embarked on the school project within from Manafwa, Bukwo and Kapchorwa the camp to take care of the children. The suffering of the Kenyan refugees who had not initially received. During midday every day, it was time to in Uganda was however lessened when play for the children. A number of humanitarian organisations like Uganda As you arrive at Mulanda, you can easi- games were introduced to keep the Red Cross Society intervened to sup- ly notice that it is a refugee transit children lively. port them and manage the centres that camp. The over 400 UNHCR cream were initially at Malaba and Busia. tents say it all. Other players in the The situation in Kenya has normalised URCS was the first organisation to operations included UN-OCHA, WFP, with the power sharing between intervene and manage the refugee UNICEF, Save the Children, Office of President Mwai Kibaki and Prime reception centres which were initially Prime Minister, Tororo District Local Minister Raila Odinga but the refugees schools; St. Jude Primary School Government, community mem- at Mulanda seem to have found a new Malaba and Busia Integrated Primary bers, Police (for security), ICRC, home in Uganda. As of March School. URCS IFRC , MSF, Salvation 31, 2008, Mulanda had 1, distrib- Amry, World 907 refugees. uted Vision,

Refugees receive mattresses at Mulanda Transit Camp in Tororo.

refugees receiving mattresses

Uganda Red Cross Society volunteers carry maize grain from the store for distribution. The Humanitarian January - March 2008 17 Oyam District water coverage improved From page 3 food security with the assistance of URCS Deputy Secretary General to drink and collect water. the German government through Michael Richard Nataka said as a The Vice Chairman of Uganda Red German Red Cross. He said under National Society mandated to Cross Society, Mr Robert Ssebunya, the programme, community leaders extend services throughout the said before the insurgency in north- will be trained to manage the water country, URCS in partnership with ern Uganda, Lango region was sec- sources in order to benefit their other organizations will this year ond to Buganda in the production areas for a longer time where over focus on water and sanitation, food of food for the country. 50,000 people are targeted. security, HIV/AIDS programmes, gender based sexual violence, reha- "I'm happy to meet you people Mr Ssebunya tasked the communi- bilitation of former child soldiers, from the various IDP hideouts and ties to ensure that the water sources offering of psychosocial support to welcome you back home to start a are properly maintained. communities as they resettle and new life of developing yourselves URCS has trained 46 Watsan volun- strengthening of the Society's struc- and your district after 20 years of teers to carry out hygiene promo- tures. suffering because of the LRA war tion in the targeted sub in the north," Mr Ssebunya said. counties.The National Society has Meanwhile, Oyam district has grant- also formed water user committees ed URCS a plot of land for the con- He said URCS has now joined the to help in the maintenance of the struction of a sub-branch office in recovery programme especially the protected water sources. order to take services nearer to the intervention in water and sanitation, people. Meet Anorld the smart driver Mr Arnold Muhanguzi, sat his Primary Leaving 34, talked to Charles Examinations in Nsamba 1988 before joining (Communication Ngarama SS for my Department) about his O’ Level education, background, job and which he completed future plans. The soft- in 1992. Between spoken driver stands out 1994 and 1997, Mr among fellow drivers Muhanguzi joined because of his smart- mechanics practice ness. with a company called Global Out Mr Muhanguzi is a sen- Care Limited. ior driver attached to the While practicing Uganda Red Cross mechanics, he Secretary General's Mr Anorld Muhanguzi on the wheels. joined a driving office. He was born on Mr Muhanguzi, who is also head of drivers, has been working with school, and conse- 15th March, 1974. Mr URCS for four years. Born to Mr. Francis Rwikisheboona and Ms. quently joined Muhanguzi is not mar- Monday Joselyn, the tall light-skinned gentleman hails from another company ried and does not have Ngarama Sub County, Bukanga County in . called Master Tones children, but he takes and Trends where care of his young sister." He was brought up by his grandfather, Mr. Ssajabi Erias, in he worked as a driv- district. Mr Muhanguzi attended Ngarama P/S, where he Turn to page 18 er for two years before joining URCS as the Secretary General's driver.

Mr Muhanguzi enjoys working with his boss. "She is a very organized boss who makes my work simple by making a schedule for the day. It is very rare for her to call me for emergencies.”

Mr Muhanguzi says he has been a smart man since his early school days. I became a prefect in my P.5 and so I had to look neat. Since then, I have not looked back. I also have to ensure that the vehicle I am driving is washed at least everyday.

Mr Muhanguzi intends to stay with Red Cross until he clocks the retirement age because “it is a unique organiza- tion". He says that he wants to upgrade his academic qualifications, preferably a management course. I hope to start up a transport company when I retire because I have acquired enough experience to enable me manage such a busi- ness.

"Arnold is a very responsible driver, quite disciplined and presents himself really well," said the Secretary General.