Sustainability School Bulletin 23RD EDITION | MARCH 2020 Sustainability 2 RD School Bulletin 23 EDITION

Mr. Frank Muramuzi Editorial Executive Director NAPE

Welcome to the 23rd edition a track record of the key activities and the Community Green Radio. implemented within the Sustainability We thank those who have contributed of the Sustainability School School Programme and also articles and those that gave feedback bulletin which has been generating debate on contemporary on previous editions. Our special prepared both in hard sustainability issues of concern in thanks go to the Rosa Luxemburg and the world at large. Foundation of Germany whose and soft form for your Previous editions are available online financial support has enabled us to convenience. at; www.greenradio.ug continue publishing this Sustainability School bulletin. This also is the first edition to be In 2014, the Community Green Radio published in 2020. We therefore use (CGR) was born out of the main Please enjoy your reading. For any this opportunity to wish you a Happy Sustainability School Programme. This feedback, please send your comments New Year. We started publishing this bulletin therefore carries articles about to [email protected] or at.kalangi@ bulletin in 2013 as a way of keeping the Sustainability School Programme nape.or.ug Sustainability RD 3 23 EDITION School Bulletin

NAPE’S COMMUNITY GREEN RADIO RECEIVES THE LIZ HUGHES AWARD FROM FARM RADIO INTERNATIONAL

By Samuel Kakeeto

NAPE’s Community Green Radio (CGR) on Sunday 8th March, 2020 received the 2020 Liz Hughes award from the Canada based Farm Radio Internation- al. The award was handed over to the NAPE Executive Director Mr. Frank Muramuzi by Mr. Stephen Ecaat, the Farm Radio Country Representative at a colourful function held at the CGR offices in Kiboga Town Council.

In his remarks, Ecaat said the radio won the award because they devote enough time to women issues. “What made you stand out was the huge amount of time you give to NAPE staff and officials from Farm Radio International pose for a photo with the women to discuss their issues. You award certificate. Extreme left in a green shirt is Mr. Frank Muramuzi, the Executive have also allowed women to speak for Director of NAPE. In the middle in white African wear is Mr. Stephen Ecaat from Farm themselves on radio”, he said. Radio International. Ecaat said that CGR beat 59 other ra- Award for Her Farm Radio include rewarded. We are committed to giving dios picked from all over the world to RTB Gaoua from Burkina Faso, Ra- more space on the radio to women to win the award. He said that the award dio Munyu from Burkina Faso, Radio air their views,” Muramuzi said. is given annually in memory of Liz Kwizera from Tanzania, Kitulo FM from Hughes who was a renown Canadian Tanzania and Fana Broadcasting Coop- He congratulated the staff that work broadcaster on women emancipation eration from Ethiopia on the Community Green Radio for the issues. Some of the other radios that many milestones achieved in the short participated in the 2020 Liz Hughes While receiving the award, lifespan of the radio. For this particular Muramuzi thanked Farm Radio achievement, he thanked in a special International for recognising way Ms. Precious Naturinda and Ms. the efforts of the CGR in Sarah Kyeyune who gather informa- championing the cause of tion and host live radio talk-shows for women. He promised that the Nyinabwenge Programme. more efforts would be put in to amplify the voices of Muramuzi expressed unreserved grat- grassroots women espe- itude to NAPE development partners cially those facing chal- for their support to the work and lenges arising out of the development of the Community Green extractive industry and Radio. He particularly singled out the climate change. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLS) of “We are so delighted Germany, the Open Society Initiative that our efforts in for East (OSIEA), the American Jewish amplifying the voices World Service (AJWS) and the Fund of grassroots women are being for Global Human Rights (FGHR) that The award that NAPE received from Farm Radio TURN TO PAGE 4 Sustainability 4 RD School Bulletin 23 EDITION

Some of the listeners of the Community Green Radio that attended the award giving ceremony have since 2014 provided funds for the determine what happens to the pro- hours. This time is convenient for rural operations of the radio and capacity ceeds. The right of women to inherit women who are often busy during building of the staff. property and be heirs also needs to be the day. The programme is aired in The award giving ceremony coincided recognised,” she said. Israel Yiga, the local languages focusing on issues with the International Women’s Day chairperson praised the important to rural women in their area, celebrations. The function was at- radio for giving ample time to pro- like farming, environmental conserva- tended by local leaders and the radio grammes that address women issues. tion, food security, domestic violence, health, and social issues among others. listeners, predominantly women. “I have been listening to this radio and following the time they accord to Ms. Sarah Nakitende, a woman coun- The Community Green Radio was women issues. Therefore, this award cilor at Kiboga District Local Council established by NAPE in 2014 in the oil is not a surprise to me. I implore them decried the high level of gender based region of Uganda to fill the gap left by to continue promoting women issues”, violence in mid-western Uganda. She many other radio stations in Uganda the chairperson said. said that most violence at home arises in covering environmental and natural out of conflicts related to home prop- resources governance issues. Much as The CGR Nyinabwenge programme erty use. the radio still has a lot of requirements which was singled out for the award in the infrastructure development sec- “There is need to keep sensitizing runs every Saturday evening for two men to allow women to use land and tion, NAPE right from its inception has always refused to compromise on the quality of its programming and service to the listeners. The main studios of the radio are in Kiboga Town but the radio covers many Districts which include Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, , , Masindi, Kibaale, Mubende, Luwero among others.

The radio currently has over 20 lis- teners clubs based in those districts. During the 5 years of its existence, the CGR has stood out as a mouth- piece for the grassroots communities promoting food sovereignty, rights of Some of the representatives of NAPE development partners that attended the marginalised people such as women function. Mr. Samuel Kasire (left) from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and Mr. and giving a voice the communities Richard Mugisha from the Open Society Initiative For East Africa (OSIEA) affected by the oil activities. Sustainability RD 5 23 EDITION School Bulletin

ARTISANAL MINERS WANT MORE SENSITIZATION ON BORAX TECHNOLOGY TO PHASE OUT MERCURY USE IN GOLD MINING

By Precious Naturinda visible dangers on their health and Mr. Bernard Mutesasira, another gold environment. miner, notes that most miners use Artisanal gold miners mercury without protective gears Mr. Ivan Kauma, a member of Kitumbi- and that the washed water polluted in Kasanda District are Kayonzo Miners’Association (KKMA) with mercury is just poured on the calling for more awareness in Kasanda says though the safer ground; contaminating the soil and and sensitization on other borax method has been introduced, underground water. the miners are still stuck on old methods in gold extraction technology of mercury use which calls “Those who have been in the business to completely phase out for intensive trainings. have complained of absorption of mercury into the skin causing mercury use which is Mr. Kauma explains that many corrosive skin, headache, back pain hazardous to environment artisanal miners are used to mixing and constant shaking which is highly and harmful to human mercury with gold ore before exposing attributed to the use of mercury,” the mixture to the heat to separate the Mutesasira says. health. gold from the rock. He explains that the miners are poisoned by mercury Ms. Joyce Katusiime, a woman miner According to artisanal gold miners, vapor released in the process of dealing in buying and crushing most of them still use mercury heating. the ore at Lubali mining site in in extraction of gold despite its Kasanda District says that though the TURN TO PAGE 6

An artisanal miner using mercury to extract gold Sustainability 6 RD School Bulletin 23 EDITION

..borax is advantageous over mercury since the former increases productivity and high gold recovery that results in better overall economics of miners, borax is readily available on the market, cheap and its use in mining legal in Uganda. Ms. Peruth Atukwatse, the Officer in charge of Chemicals Management and Climate Change at NAPE demonstration on how Borax works has not yet been done, the theory trainings they have had so far show that use of borax is better if adopted by all the miners.

She explains that much sensitization is needed to ensure that gold miners work in a mercury free environment in addition to further awareness rising on the effects of mercury.

National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) with support from the Global Environmental Facility(GEF)-Uganda, a small grants A miner exposed to mercury poisoning through direct contact without personal program under United Nations protective equipment (PPE) Development Program(UNDP) has been working with other partners The convention, which Uganda is a on the market, cheap and its use in and government to reduce mercury signatory, set clear time-bound targets mining legal in Uganda. use and promote use of borax as an to phase out the manufacture, export alternative technology in Kasanda and and import of mercury and mercury The survey carried out by NAPE and other mining districts in Uganda. added products. other partners between July and August 2018 established that the Ms. Peruth Atukwatse, the Officer in Ms. Atuwatse explains that as NAPE, levels of mercury pollution in the charge of Chemicals Management and they aim at reducing the health and blood of miners, soil, and water and Climate Change at NAPE is delighted environmental risks of mercury and food crop contamination were very that the artisanal gold miners now they will continue to sensitize miners high in the mining districts of Busia, know and appreciate the dangers on borax use until mercury use is Buhweju, Mubende, Namayingo and associated with use of mercury and completely phased out. Karamoja. are willing to uptake other safer alternative technologies. She says borax is advantageous over The Community Green Radio has mercury since the former increases continued to sensitise the artisanal She says the introduction of Borax is productivity and high gold recovery miners on the dangers of using unsafe in line with Minamata Convention on that results in better overall economics methods of mineral extraction and the mercury which was adopted in 2013. of miners, borax is readily available safer options available. Sustainability RD 7 23 EDITION School Bulletin

REAPING THE FRUITS OF NYINABWENGYE RADIO TALK-SHOW

By Precious Naturinda “I learn on radio that after collecting Ms. Precious Naturinda (extreme the peelings, they are spread under left, white dress), the presenter of the A 50 year old Ruth Kasimba lives the sun for some hours until they get Nyinabwenge Programme and Miss. in Butimba village in Kikuube dry. The dried peelings are then burnt Sostine Namanya (extreme right, District; a few kilometers near where slowly until they become ash,” she said. flowered dress) pose for a photo with Uganda’s proposed oil refinery will some women who listen and contribute be constructed in Kabale parish in “The ash is then mixed with soil and content to the Community Green Radio Uganda’s oil-rich . cassava porridge and then poured into a charcoal presser machine to come up to conserve the environment. Like any other rural woman, Kasimba with briquettes or one can use hands collects firewood for cooking- the to make the briquette size of their Butimba Listeners Club is one of exercise she describes as physically choice,” she added. the pioneer clubs that started with exhausting but also mentally draining. Community Green Radio during its Kasimba, who is a member of Butimba inception in 2014.The radio started However, as a peasant farmer who Listeners Club in , with 11 listener’s clubs from Hoima, grows different types of crops for food sold the idea 15 other group members Kikube and Buliisa Oil-rich districts. and sale, Kasimba could not believe and now they are currently making Currently, more listeners clubs have that the daily-throw away garbage like briquettes for home use and are trying been created in districts of Kyankwanzi banana and cassava peelings could to expand the business for economic and Buliisa. turn into fortune to save women from venture. the long distance walks to collect The women-dominated listeners ‘club firewood. Kasimba is among many listeners who members don’t only listen. They put are trying to put into action what they into action what they have learnt and In one of the Nyinabwenge radio talk listen to on radio. also train other new listeners clubs shows at Community Green Radio, Away from making charcoal briquettes, about what they are doing. Kasimba learnt about how to covert Butimba listeners club is engaged in peelings into charcoal briquettes. making indigenous tree nursery beds Sustainability 8 RD School Bulletin 23 EDITION

indigenous knowledge on farming like best seed selection and pest control which I have shared on radio and even people come looking for me to learn. I also know that as a woman I have a right to protect my crops from being sold by my husband from the garden. This has been common by the way because men knew we can’t defend ourselves. But listening to my voice on radio itself makes him think am empowered and I can do anything to protect myself,” she said.

For close to seven years now, Nyinabwenge show- Women’s program has played an important role in women’s lives by amplifying their voices so that they can be heard, engaging them in policy making and protection of property rights, improve food security and address gender gaps in the environmental arena. Mrs. Peninah Ruhindi Women are engaged in conservation efforts and addressing climate change When we listen, being leading by examples in their Penina Ruhindi, a member of Kigaaga communities and disseminating their Community Radio listeners club in we reflect on our expertise using the radio. Kabale village in Hoima district- which community and identify Butimba Listeners Club in Kikuube is adjacent to the oil refinery says they District, Kigaaga listeners club in are putting into action the lessons the challenges talked Hoima District and Ngwedo Listeners from the radio to ensure sustainable about. We then try to find Club in Buliisa among others are agriculture by planting indigenous the solutions. Like now all engaged in raising indigenous trees which encourage agro-forestry trees and distributing to community and also defend their rights as women. we are taking it upon members. ourselves as listeners club “When we listen, we reflect on members to encourage They are also engage in food security our community and identify the and seed sovereignty campaigns by challenges talked about. We then try women to gain constructing granaries at households to find the solutions. Like now we are confidence and speak up and having group seed multiplication taking it upon ourselves as listeners on issues affecting them gardens(of indigenous seeds which club members to encourage women are facing extinct) which are then to gain confidence and speak up on and defend their rights. distributed amongst themselves. issues affecting them and defend their rights. According to Allan Kalangi, the officer time when she has retired from her in charge of the Radio at NAPE, many We encourage women to go on radio, day’s duties on Saturday. women contribute a lot towards as women we have started practicing development but their contributions boundary tree planting to defend our “This radio has changed the lives of and success are underreported. land from grabbers,” she said. many women. I did not know that me However, giving them a program Norah Bahongye, a member of as Bahongye, a rural peasant farmer has become a platform for them to Kigaaga Listener’s club says she is can be on the radio. I thank the radio sensitize others and they feel they are happy to listen to her favorite women’s management for aiming at elevating recognized in society. program-Nyinabwenge in evening the status of women in society. I have Sustainability RD 9 23 EDITION School Bulletin

INJUSTICES, POOR LIVING CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO HAUNT OIL REFINERY AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN KYAKABOGA RESETTLEMENT CAMP IN HOIMA DISTRICT

By Precious Naturinda

Residents of Kyakaboga resettlement camp in Buseruka Sub-County in Ho- ima District have decried the devastat- ing conditions in the camp in addition to injustices resulting from delayed promises from government.

The residents, who opted for resettle- ment after being evicted from their land to pave way for oil refinery in Kabaale parish, say they are fed up with government’s ‘empty promises’ of first class murram roads, land titles and safe water as it was indicated in the Resettlement Action Plan.

Sadam Tekakwo, the Chairperson of the resettled residents says they feel insecure without land titles in the oil-rich district where land grabbing is high. One of the almost impassible roads “Seven people in the resettlement The roads are very leading to the resettlement camp in camp have been affected by the oil poor; we are forced to Kyakaboga in Hoima. Women say they pipeline, however, they have failed have been cut off accessing market for to sign consent forms because they sell our produce cheaply their produce and health centres have no land titles. Even us who prefer because we have no to sell our houses in the camp due to Innocent Tumwebaze, the secretary for poor living conditions and shift to oth- option. This is affecting us Oil Refinery Affected Residents Associ- er places, can’t sell due to lack of land women since most of us ation (ORRA) says they are continuing titles,” says Tekakwo. depend on agriculture for to put pressure on government to ensure that the promises made are Phabis Shabohurira, a resident says livelihood,” poor roads have cut off access to mar- fulfilled. kets for their produce affecting their Tumwebaze says with empowerment livelihood. She adds that though they houses, have already started smelling from National Association Professional have water tanks, women trek long with in just 2 years of our stay here. Environmentalists (NAPE) and other distances to water points where one Besides that Buseruka is known for civil society organisations, they will has to even join a long cue. having cholera outbreak during rainy keep the pressure on in their quest for “The roads are very poor; we are forced season. We are worried the future is justice. to sell our produce cheaply because not bright for us,” says Ketra Musinguzi. “If we do not fight for ourselves, no we have no option. This is affecting us one will fight for us. Recently when women since most of us depend on Grace Cupato another resident says I contacted one of the officials from agriculture for livelihood,” she says. conflicts among residents are on in- crease due to cultural differences and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral The residents also say that congestion congestion. “One cannot leave a goat Development, he told me they are still in the camp has led to conflicts and or chicken at home, you find when it processing our land titles. We shall not poor hygiene. has been either stolen or killed,’ says give up until we get what we were “The toilets, which are close to the Cupato promised,” says Tumwebaze Sustainability 10 RD School Bulletin 23 EDITION

RURAL WOMEN IN KIKUUBE DISTRICT IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST BUGOMA FOREST GIVE AWAY

By our reporter protected for long. We are engaging taken away by people who have the communities adjacent to resist not lived nearby to appreciate its Ever since Masindi High Court gave a the giveaway of the forest,” says Aida importance. green light to to Mbabazi, the Chairperson of Kaseeta use 22 square miles of Bugoma Central Collaborative forest Management in Flora Kyomuhendo, a resident of Forest Reserve for sugar cane growing, Kikuube district. Nyanseke village, a few meters to pressure has been mounting to clear Bugoma forest says owing to the the forest. Over 30 women organised under traditional set up that women are Kaseeta Collaborative Forest responsible for growing food and Hoima Sugar limited has already Management from Kaseeta Parish in collecting water and firewood, submitted the Environment Impact subcounty-where Bugoma they intensely feel the impacts of Assessment (ESIA) to National forest sits- in Kikuube district, say they environmental destruction. Environmental Management are determined to use the available Authority, which once approved will platforms to raise awareness against The women are spearheading the see the clearance of native vegetation the forest destruction in addition to campaign against Bugoma Forest woodlands for sugarcane. planting trees. giveaway in collaboration with the National Association of Professional Amidst this, the communities adjacent During the visit to the group for a Environmentalists (NAPE). to the forest have also intensified their pre-recorded show to appear on fight using Community Green Radio, Community Green Radio in March, In an effort to conserve the forest, door to door campaigns against the 2020, the members said they NAPE sensitizes communities and giveaway and engaging National embraced agroforestry and boundary gives them a media platform- Forestry Authority Authorities to avert tree planting on private land to protect Community Green Radio where they the destruction. the forest from being encroached on appear in radio programs or their by local communities. voices are recorded to raise awareness. “Hoima sugar Limited has failed to involve us to explain why they They however, said that they feel are interested in the forest we have demoralized that the forests is being

Some of the women of Kaseeta CFM with the banner of save Bugoma Forest campaign Sustainability RD 11 23 EDITION School Bulletin

Mbabazi Addah in Mutoha stream that originates from Bugoma forest Sustainability 12 RD School Bulletin 23 EDITION RESIDENTS RETURN TO THE LAND EARMARKED FOR THE OIL PIPELINE IN HOIMA

By Precious Naturinda He reveals that government hasn’t engaged the affected communities on the next course of action, adding that the Several residents affected by the East African Crude Oil PAPs have to keep track of the pipeline process through Pipeline (EACOP) project in Hoima, and Kikuube districts regular sensitization, which is not being done. have lost patience and returned to the demarcated areas to cultivate crops. Total Uganda contracted NewPlan Limited to carry out the mapping and valuation exercise. The decision stems from the delayed compensation of the affected families and lack of activity on the land. However, government suspended the oil pipeline project in September 2019 following the collapse of Tullow-Total deal, Samuel Tugumisirize, the Butimba village chairperson in which slowed the project. In 2020, government entered a Kikuube District says the affected people returned to their joint venture partnership and resumed the project. The new land and cultivate maize, beans, tomatoes, sweet and Irish deal was expected to be signed early this year. potatoes since they are uncertain when the pipeline activi- ties will resume. However, the Energy and Mineral Developments Minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu Kimono, says the matter was left to the “Many people have resorted to using their land that the president, saying she has nothing much to comment on the government had earmarked for the oil pipeline because it matter at the moment. is idle. The challenge I foresee is when years pass and the government comes back to utilise the same land. Conflicts The Ugandan section of the pipeline is about 296km and are likely to arise then,” Tugumisirize said passes through 10 districts, 25 sub-counties and 172 villag- es, of the total length of 1,443km from the proposed pump Kirungi Kadri, the Hoima District Chairperson says the station in Hoima to Chongleani terminal near Tanga port on suspension of the oil pipeline activities have since triggered the Indian Ocean. mixed feelings among the affected residents.

Some residents of Kikuube District look at posters displayed in their communities by the Ministry of Energy showing those to be affected by the oil pipeline. This was in March, 2019.