Actionaid Hands Over Greek River Primary School to Government

3 5 8 6 Hours Late and When Elected Leaders Betray the The Giriki 11 Hours behind Electorate: A citizen conversation Community Schedule! BUT WHY? with an MP in a strange place! Communique

NewsUganda Special Edition Newsletter Issue May 2012 Stories and Voices of Hope from Giriki

Editorial: ActionAid Hands over Greek River Trials and Primary School to Government Triumphs By Henry Nickson Ogwal, Director Partnership Funding and Sponsorship - ActionAid International Uganda

This Special Edition - ‘Focus on Giriki’ tells of Photo: Stephen Wandera \ ActionAid a remarkable story of the people of Giriki faced with a multitude of socioeconomic challenges, but who courageously and with a smile on their faces, show unwavering commitment to trans- form their lives, one at a time.

The Edition is inspired by a team reflection following the Commissioning of the Greek River Primary School in Giriki Sub County, Kween District. The school was built with support from ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) and subsequently handed over to the Government in an event hosted by the Community at the School, some 400 Kilometers from Kampala in former Kapchorwa District on May 4th 2012, and attended by several guests including the Assistant Commissioner, Primary Education who represented the Minister of Education and Sports.

This Newsletter captures stories and voices of ActionAid Uganda hands over Greek River Primary School hope from Giriki and represents the triumph to Assistant Commissioner C.Tony Mukasa-Lusambu over the trails of the people in Giriki. It dem- onstrates the workings of ActionAid’s Human On the 4th May 2012, Mr. C.Tony Mukasa – leaders, sub-county and district leaders, the Rights Based Approach guided by the twin Lusambu, who represented the Minister of Edu- area MP and the Women MP for Kween. logic of transforming the condition and position cation and Sports (MoES) Honourable Jessica of poor girls, boys, women and men. Alupo as the Guest of Honour, commissioned In his address, Mr. Mukasa-Lusambu thanked ActionAid for supporting Government in fulfill- We would also like to take this opportunity to Greek Primary School. Out of 763 pupils en- ing its mandate to provide quality education by most sincerely extent our hearty appreciation rolled, 45 % of the pupils are girls. The function constructing a school in such a hard-to-reach of the Girik Community and those of ActionAid took place in Giriki village, Ngenge sub-county, area where formerly displaced children needed International Uganda with the White Fields; and Kween District. During the same function, to access education services. He was highly Richard, Sarah and Sam Skelt’s family from ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) handed impressed by the school feeding project that the UK whose generous financial contributions over to Government the school project worth he requested ActionAid to document and share made it possible to complete the school proj- UGX 540 million. The school project comprised with the MoES to inform policy discussions. He ects at Greek River. We are doing everything of an eight classrooms block furnished with advised the school administration to plant trees to ensure that we continue to work with other 144 three-seater-desks, 16 office chairs and 12 to secure the buildings, beautiful flowers to at- players so that the important foundation we working tables; three blocks of VIP pit latrines tract the children to school and develop good have set leads to the ultimate goal for which the with 14 stances for teachers, boys and girls; a roads. He encouraged the school to develop project was initiated. This was the message we block of teachers’ house fitted with solar pan- a talking compound by printing and installing passed to all stakeholders at the commission- els; a block of store and kitchen constructed messages on the compounds. ing of the school as part of the sustainability with wood-fuel savings stoves; 5 industrial size commitment that we all need to make. sauce-pans for cooking; and a 20 horsepower diesel-engine grain-mill and mill-house. Action- While Mr. Mukasa-Lusambu received community demands directed to Ministry of Education Welcome and be inspired as you read the sto- Aid also handed over a 20 hectares school farm and Sports written by the women of Giriki, and ries! planted with corn and soya beans. In order to address the risk from lightening in the relatively read by Cherukut Miriam, Programme Coor- By Henry Nickson Ogwal, Director Partnership flat Greater Ngenge terrain, two lightening ar- dinator of Kapchorwa Civil Society Organisa- Funding and Sponsorship - ActionAid International restors were fitted onto the classroom block. tions’ Alliance (KACSOA) to which he promised Uganda The function was attended by children, women to ably share with the top management of the and men from Giriki community, community Ministry, he cited a few challenges taking the 2 Uganda Special Edition Issue, May 2012 ... ActionAid Hands over Background to Giriki Greek River Primary Community and ActionAid’s School to Government Interventions: A Snap Shot By Aggrey Kibet, Programme Coordinator – Kapchorwa Local Rights Programme demands forward. He noted that Ministry of Giriki Community is an indigenous people Key Issues affecting Giriki and Finance, Planning and Economic Development located in Griki sub-county in the Northern surrounding areas (MoPED) had ordered for suspension of coding enclave of Kween District sandwiched between There is breakdown of basic educational infra- new schools until the financial year 2014/2015 Amudat District, Bukwo District in Uganda and structures with sub-counties like Giriki having due to lack of funding. He advised the District West Pokot District of Kenya. It is estimated that no secondary or technical school. This is deny- Education Officer of Kween and Greek River the total population is about 7,000 today. The ing the children of Giriki their right to access Primary School Administration to search for community is characterised of people formerly education. old record for the school that existed in the displaced by cattle rustling and related armed area before the community was displaced. In conflict within Uganda and to Kenya in the last There is the problem of land grabbing by un- that case, it would be much easier to code the 40 years. scrupulous individuals mainly those with money school for grant aiding using the old record. He and influence migrating from other areas and concluded that because he had shared in the From 1950s to 2006, Kapchorwa, Bukwo and want to take advantage of the vacuum created pain of the Giriki community by walking about Kween Districts in located in Eastern Uganda by the long absence of genuine displaced own- four kilometres as a result of bad road, he will (Giriki inclusive) were faced by the phenom- ers to different locations of the country to take be a good ambassador of Giriki in the Ministry. ena of cattle and other livestock rustling by the over their land. This dispossession of land is a Pokot and Karamojong warriors. This resulted blatant violation of rights to property and liveli- Kween Woman MP Hon. Lydia Barteka was into loss of lives and property (livestock) and in- hoods of Giriki community. pleased to inform the gathering that ActionAid ternal displacement to the highland areas within assessment was right. This resulted in imple- Kapchorwa District and to other neighbouring There is frequent flooding of the relatively flat mentation of initiatives that have had positive districts. It is estimated that by 2007; 34,523 belt during rainy season affecting agriculture, impact on the people thus encouraged return, people became displaced, 1,639 were killed settlement and access to markets because of resettlement and reconciliation of the Giriki and 700,000 heads of cattle, and 500,000 goats destruction onto the roads. This is compounded community. Kween area MP Hon. Kisos Che- and sheep were rustled across the Greater further by already poor roads and bridges maswet shared the importance of the citizens Ngenge lower belt which is the present Ngenge which worsen the accessibility of the farmers of demanding for accountability from Government. and Giriki sub-counties (Ngenge Community Greater Ngenge to support from government as He promised to donate 1,000 seedlings to the Development, 2007). a semi arid sub-region. Therefore, glaring gaps school. in service delivery, infrastructure and access In 2006, the Government of Uganda initiated a to justice include access to extension services, Earlier on, the Acting District Chairperson Mr. forceful disarmament program through which a large scale irrigation, climate adaptation mea- Paul Majinjach in his remarks underscored number of warriors and rustlers were disarmed. sures and markets for improved livelihoods. ActionAid as a transparent organisation worthy Coupled with other peace and conflict resolu- of emulation. He said it is because of this value tion efforts by other stake holders within Ugan- ActionAid’s Interventions that the local people and the leaders have co- da and the Republic of Kenya, the disarmament zz ActionAid Uganda supported 165 most vul- operated and worked with ActionAid during the marked the end of cattle rustling and the return nerable households out of the original 2,000 time of active armed conflicts and resettlement. to peace which has encouraged the displaced households in Giriki with building materials persons to return to their former places. – providing a strong attraction for displaced The country Director of ActionAid International persons to return and resettle; Uganda, Arthur Larok, noted that he was happy In March 2007, ActionAid Uganda undertook with leadership in ActionAid that hands over ev- an assessment of the situation in the returnees’ zz Supported health infrastructural devel- ery good work for others to complete. He cited areas of Greater Ngenge that was still part of opment through the provision of a fully the projects in Giriki were initiated by Charles Kapchorwa District but presently in the newly equipped Giriki Health Unit complete with a Mbeeta Businge who handed over to him a created Kween District focusing on the three winged staff house and a bore hole reach- couple of months ago. He noted that the nation- resettlement camps of Giriki, Korite and Sundet ing over 2,500 people as far as Karita sub- al leaders must adopt this. He noted that Ac- camps. The assessment revealed that Giriki county in Amudat District with basic health tionAid will stand with the people of Giriki com- resettlement camp had the highest number of services: munity to fight poverty, injustice and indignity as returnee’s (i.e. 1,000 people) facing the biggest zz Supported increasing access to education long as there will be resources to support that. challenges. Since then, the number of people through construction and equipping of 8 ActionAid committed to work to strengthen poor returning has continued to build up and more classroom block, twin staff house, 5 stance people action to hold duty bearers to account resettlements areas have come up. The total boys latrine,3 stance girls latrine and teach- and respecting women’s rights. To address number of settlers now in Giriki stands at about ers latrine and 144 classroom desks, class- the Gender Based Violence in Kween District, 7,015 (District Planning unit-Kween DLG, 2012) room chairs and tables and a fully furnished ActionAid is establishing with support from DfID teachers and Headmasters furniture. This Photo: Stephen Wandera \ ActionAid a Women Rights Centre for whom the personnel has enabled 763 children from Giriki to ac- have already been recruited. cess their rights to basic primary education; and Construction of the classrooms, teachers’ houses and pit latrines was funded by The White zz The equipped the school with a kitchen Fields (UK) while school feeding program that complete with modern wood-fuel saving provided mid-day meal, construction of school stoves, grain mill and mill house and support kitchen, store, a grain mill-house and a school to school gardening to ensure sustainability garden was funded by Richard, Sarah and Sam of school feeding which has already boosted Skelt’s family from the UK. enrolment and retention in school especially for the girl children. Between 2010 and 2012, enrolment of Greek Primary School increased by 445 % from 140 to current 763pupils. Women celebrating the handover Uganda Special Edition Issue, May 2012 3 ... Background to 6 Hours Late and 11 Hours Giriki Community and behind Schedule! BUT WHY? ActionAid’s Interventions: By Arthur LAROK, Country Director A Snap Shot

Key Lessons Learnt The Commissioning of Greek Primary School major reasons: a) seasonal high rainfall that oc- 1. That the representation of ActionAid as in Giriki Sub Country, Kween District, 400 casionally washes away the road; b) a private more responsive than Government in the Kilometres from Kampala in the Eastern part of construction firm owned by a soldier that has eyes of the locals is quite risky in terms Uganda was supposed to start at 9 am and end failed to complete its work; and c) lack of clarity of sustainability of service delivery in the at 1:00 pm with lunch so that we are back to on whether the road is a national road to be Kapchorwa by 3 pm! The event started at 3 pm maintained by the National Roads Authority or community. The need for the community and ended at 6:30 pm and we got back at 2 am a local road under the jurisdiction of the Local to understand the role of ActionAid as an in the night, 11 hours behind our schedule. Government before riding off to Kapchorwa to NGO that may provide intermediate con- follow up a case with the Police in which his tribution and building local knowledge on I and Colleagues, Bruno, Denis, Samuel, Sam Bank Account was hacked into and defrauded. rights and obligation of the community; and Hellen left Mbale at 6:30 am after spend- As we stood by and hoped for miracles, we and the know Government role as consti- ing a night enroute to Giriki to take part in the reflected on the three reasons and clearly with tutional and mandatory as a primary duty commissioning of Greek Primary School. It was responsible leadership able to oversee better bearer and therefore engage it is critical. supposed to be a 2 hour journey from Mbale to planning and oversight, all the three problems Giriki, but after an hour’s drive, we caught up would quite easily have been overcome, we 2. The resilience of the Giriki community in with an advance team from ActionAid that was concluded. the face of extremely difficult social, eco- supposed to have arrived in Giriki a day earlier. nomic, road and other basic infrastruc- They had been stuck at a spot, less than 34 As we waited, a UPDF Soldier coming from ture, climate change/semi drought con- kilometres to our final destination and had spent the opposite side of the road arrives, with four ditions among other challenges is quite a night at Chepsikunya, a nearby trading centre other people (one dead) on another bodaboda. striking. It presents an opportunity to on Mbale – Moroto road. It had rained the previ- It was sad to hear the story of how his young build on in the quest for lasting solutions ous night and the road was horrendous. 4-year old son died of malaria on the same road because they couldn’t reach the Health Centre to the development challenges bedevil- After several attempts, we were advised, by in time. He was returning to Kapchorwa, the ling the Giriki community through a focus the LC III Chairperson of Giriki to use small nearby district to arrange for his son’s burial. on sustainable livelihoods options. This motorcycles (commonly known as bodabodas) When I showed deepest sympathies, he looked also requires that the community mobili- to get to our final destination. He was riding one up at me and said, ‘my friend, this is the life sation and organisation to contribute to and he informed us that 3 other bad spots lay we live...’ I gave him 30,000 Uganda shillings decision that affect them has to be take ahead and there was no way our cars would (about 12 USD) as my modest contribution and place. cross those spots because the road had es- his response, ‘...may God Bless you and have sentially broken down. Asked why this road a successful journey...’ Looking Forward: Outstanding Indeed God listened to Rights Issues was in such a bad state, he mentioned three him and blessed us with a successful trip.

a) Introduction and expansion of Post Pri- Photo: Stephen Wandera \ ActionAid mary Education: There is a critical need for a secondary and a tertiary school to fully respond to the rights of the children of Giriki community. To respected and promoted the rights to quality education especially for the girl children, there is need for deliberate services targeting them, efforts to enrol and maintain them at school and to empower them socio- economically; b) To fully respond to the health rights, it is urgent that Government upgrades Giriki Health Centre II to Health Centre IV. This will meet comprehensive health needs including maternity, PMTCT and minor surgeries; and c) The Community of Giriki urgently requires government investment in agricultural infrastructure that include small and medium scale irrigation, extension services, post-harvest food handling and value addition,, marketing and linkages for improved and sustainable household incomes!

Roads turned into mud and even the Land Cruisers cannot pass. Lack of infrastructure is a major problem in the district. 4 Uganda Special Edition Issue, May 2012 Quotes! ... 6 Hours Late and 11 Hours behind Quotes! Schedule! BUT WHY?

One, two, three hours go by and we are still Enough of the story itself, what lessons can If it were not that I at the same spot. We decide to return to be drawn from this experience? First and We thank ActionAid hail from this place, i the nearby Trading Centre to organise for foremost, is the significant point about the International Uganda would have given up bodabodas to take us to Giriki. At the Trad- importance of infrastructure for any kind of because they came ing Centre we were joined by more team development to take place. With a better the construction of here with a vision and members in three other vehicles, including road, the life of the son of the UPDF soldier this school. The cost one carrying our Guest of Honour from the –an important citizen - would have been they are a very trans- of doing this work Ministry of Education. After a few minutes saved. With a better road, we would have parent organisation. was so high espe- briefing to the Guest of Honour, he honour- reached on time for the commissioning of We know how they cially because of the ably considered the option on jumping onto the school and returned on time as well. operate. bad road and remote a bike for the 22+ kilometre journey. His affir- With a better road, the cost of doing busi- mative response was as encouraging as we ness would have been lower for ActionAid Mr. Paul Majijanch, location. Sometimes the Acting LCV could ever imagine. He was as determined and more resources would be able to reach Chairperson, making I spent 5 nights on as we were, to reach Giriki and commission the people of Giriki other than being spent his Speech at the the road transporting the school --- after all we had come long on heavy duty 4WD Vehicles, fuel and main- Commissioning of the School. building materials. already and more importantly the community tenance. Mr. ... Lead Contractor of Giriki were already waiting for us anyway. for Greek River The next problem was then getting about 10 Secondly, this experience, yet again Primary School - bodabodas to ferry us in pairs to the venue. demonstrated betrayal by our leaders and ActionAid believes We were told that the 5 or so bodabodas that government who often collude with private in contracting local I thank ActionAid for operate in the trading centre had gone to sector to rob this country through corrup- people to do technical doing an objective work, as at ActionAid Kapchorwa Town and would be back at 12 tion. The road was in that state because of it is more than just noon! To avoid ‘overcrowding’ the trading negligence as explained by the LC III Chair- assessment. The business as usual centre, we decided to drive back to the bad- person earlier. The road was in this sorry team got the diag- spot as the bodabodas are being organised. state because the money for it was and is nostics right and that st being stolen. Putting 1 Class marrum on is why we are here Time check, 1 pm and we are still at the the 30 km stretch where we spent 6 hours ...he will be useful in celebrating such a same spot. Community members from the instead of 25 minutes would cost less than milestone. 5 years time! nearby village had mobilized themselves to 200,000,000 and so much would be saved. Sam, Driver at give us a hand and we were told that they To put culverts on the three bad-spots to just Hon Lydia ActionAid Uganda had actually managed to ‘repair’ the two make the road passable, even at this state Bateka, Woman Representative, makes a comment bad-spots ahead and were trying this last would cost less than 6,000,000 Uganda shil- after a 14 year old boy Kween District was not given a lift one, where one vehicle coming from the lings, but we read of stories of 6.5 billion giv- and an adult he was opposite side had got stuck and blocked en to MPs to monitor programmes with their walking with was, by everybody else. Then came a Range Rover own monitoring costs, we know of 16 billion an MP from the area. In 5 years the boy belonging to the Area MP, Hon Kisos Che- shillings stolen from State House meant for would be a voter and maswet and he too was stuck with us and bicycles and we know the cost of public therefore important. an interesting discussion ensued with him, administration in Uganda is skyrocketing. I would like to thank details of which have been written on, in It is possible that over 1 trillion shillings is ActionAid for the another article. We all got out of our cars lost annually to corruption with the World powerful women’s and started to trek towards Giriki, hoping the Bank estimating 600 Billion lost every year group that I have What you went bodabodas would find us on the way. Mo- in procurement related transactions alone. If seen here in Giriki. It through for one ments later, we saw a vehicle had passed only government could get its priorities right, is an indicator of the day is what we go through and a big sigh of relief followed! Us- many lives would be saved and Uganda value of educating through everyday. ing simple local tools, the community mem- would be a better place for all. bers had managed to get all the vehicles to the girl child. Mr. Steven Cherwaru, To end on a really important note, the Giriki Driver of Kapchorwa cross over! Mr. C. Tony Mukasa- ActionAid suggesting experience demonstrated important charac- Lusambu, Assistant that the team hadn’t Fast forward, an hour later, we were in Giriki, teristics about Ugandans that we all should Commissioner, Primary faced any difficulties 6 hours late, but warmly received by the be proud of: sheer determination, unwaver- Education and Guest of yet. Honour to the function women from Giriki singing songs of ap- ing resilience and strong will to overcome ad- preciation and welcome. It was a wonderful versity for it was easier for all of us to give up occasion with the communities that lasted 3 and return to the comfort of town; innovation hours, again covered in detail by our Lead and adaptation for with very simple tools and Article by Nickson in this edition. After a late bare hands and feet the community mem- lunch at 6 pm, we set off the return journey bers made the road passable; and finally, using another direction this time, three times the value of social capital for without volun- longer than the route we used to get to tary support of the community and standing Giriki. The road was as bad but navigable together in this hard time, we wouldn’t have through Bukwo District. At 2 am, we arrived crossed over and held the function. at Noah’s Ark - a Guest House in Kapchorwa town. A journey of 110 Kms which could Our leaders and people in government have taken us an hour and half had taken 7 should build on these very important at- hours! tributes of our people and Uganda will be a transformed nation. Uganda Special Edition Issue, May 2012 5 When Elected Leaders Betray the Electorate: A citizen conversation with an MP in a strange place! Cherukut Miriam, Programme Coordinator - Kapchorwa Civil Society Organizations’ Alliance (KACSOA)

Kween MP, Hon. Kisos Chemaswet, engaging with the citizens on the role of MPs in ensuring good roads. Photo: Hellen Malinga Apila / ActionAid

My unplanned meeting with Hon. Kisos Che- Hospital which is more than 70kms away in the create awareness on the role of leaders the MP maswet, the area MP of Kween Constituency, nearby districts of Kapchorwa or Mbale, what hit back at NGOs, “actually you NGOs have Kween District happened in the most unusual would happen? failed to educate the constituents about the role way as there was no formal arrangement for of different leadership positions and by the way us to meet. As fate had it, we met at a point Then I went ahead to blame him and the whole you should build more schools in my district, I where a group of leaders [including: the MPs parliament for occupying sits in Parliament on am about to request you for more schools”, he of Kween District, Assistant Commissioner of the vote of poor citizens and forgetting about said. Basic Education from Ministry of Education, the them as soon as they got to Parliament and for Country Director and a team of staff from Ac- striving for their own survival at the cost of the In my view, the comments of the MP which are tionAid, Kween Local Government officials and voters. I asked about his take about an arrogant shared by many MPs who are always lamenting many others] had failed to cross from one side statement by the President on the occasion of when put on the spot on such issues revealed of Giriki road to the other for a couple of hours the NRM 26th Anniversary which took place in that MPs have forgotten that through their role following an incidence where the road had Tegeres Secondary School where he irritated of examining and scrutinising budgets of vari- cracked creating a mini valley following a heavy the public by saying that money cannot be ex- ous Government Ministries as well as other down pour on the previous night of 3rd May cavated like murram. This happened when the Government Institutions through their respective 2012. The leaders were heading to Giriki Sub president was commenting about the tarmack- sectoral committees have a direct influence County in Kween District to witness the Com- ing of Kapchorwa-Suam road which had been over services that reach their constituencies. missioning and handing over of Greek Primary enlisted in the national budget for more than 3 Many MPs are caught up between serving the School to Kween Local Government. financial years. interests of the public and those of their parties where they pay so much allegiance. Further as Like any other citizen activist passionate about The MPs response was that the implementation the MP confirmed in our interaction most MPs advocating for better service delivery, I had al- of the Affirmative Action Policy had resulted into especially in the ruling party are striving for ways longed for a day I would put Members of the election of District Women Representatives favours from the President since they all feel Parliament [who rarely visit their constituencies] who instead of effectively using their positions they have high chances of becoming Ministers on the spot on issues of poor service delivery to address the concerns of the electorate, have given the fact that the current cabinet has 72 in their constituencies and its very common to abused the policy and resorted to sycophancy. ministerial seats. find that campaign messages of MPs are filled He added that the over 120 women MPs would with promises of ensuring that services improve have been a critical mass to positively influence Indeed the first order of business in the 9th and in extreme cases they promise that they will government policy towards better improvement Parliament after a 3 day swearing in ceremony provide better services in health, roads, educa- of government services. But the results are on was to increase their emoluments and so as tion including paying fees among others when the contrary. Then on the issue of MPs distanc- it is in their powers to approve such changes, voted into Parliament. ing themselves from their constituencies, the their salaries shot up to a cool UGX 20 million. MP said that the constituents were making very Probably it’s these emoluments in addition to Now that chance had befallen me like ‘manna’ unrealistic demands of the MP; he attributed other privileges [for self aggrandizement] while from heaven, tickled by the desire to engage that to the lack of adequate information by the in Parliament that motivate them to clamour for this MP who was like all the others waiting to citizenry on the role of the MPs and other gov- political power and not to necessarily fulfil the tow one vehicle that had been caught up in ernment institutions including the NGOs and promises they make during campaigns to the the mud, I led a heated debate with the MP the private sector. “The public expects me their voters who give them the mandate. by posing one question to him; how about an MP to ensure that roads are good and yet my expectant mother with a complicated delivery role is to legislate,” Hon. Kisos lamented. Asked case who is supposed to be rushed to a nearby about who should provide good services and 6 Uganda Special Edition Issue, May 2012 Making Policies Work for Staff: Lessons for ActionAid from Giriki By Denis and Bruno, Staff working in the Finance Department

It was finally a bright Saturday morning and the when on vehicle had to pull another in turn with ed in the vehicle policy. This drew our attention expression on people’s faces in a staff reflection chains from a community that all our vehicles the need to revise some of our policies to make meeting clearly showed that, “what a hard must be equipped with way more gadgets than them compatible with situations where we work. times reminder”. We comfortably managed they currently are to include towing chains and We also learnt from that we need to travel with to have our meeting and amongst the issues Tanganyika Jacks adequate cash contingency and that we cannot that were given priority was the lessons learnt get receipts for all transactions. The case point from our eventful Friday Giriki experience. As we spent some good time trying to get our was when a community member asked for com- vehicles move passed the split Chepsikunya - pensation for the chain that he offered in order Throughout our journey, the roads were very Giriki road, we asked ourselves where we were to have all our vehicles pulled out of the split slippery and barely could a car less than a going to sleep just in case the night closed on road. Staff contributed money from their per- four wheel drive manage to move for a meter us because the situation hadn’t got any better. sonal contingency fund and a note book page or two. However, we were blessed with Toyota Of course it would have been in the cars. This was used to quickly write an acknowledgement. Land Cruisers that managed to make it through would mean we could not present any receipts We were saved that the multitude that dug the the rough hills, valleys, swamps and rivers to account for the per diem for the night spent vehicles and pushed them out of the mud were of Kween District. The performance of the in the car in the wilderness. As our best alterna- kind enough not to ask for any payment which vehicles was a clear testimony and justifica- tive, we prepared for a night ride in our vehicles we would have failed to pay. tion why we will need to purchase such heavy at whatever time so as to reach Kapchorwa duty vehicles. In addition, we painfully learnt town, which meant driving beyond the time stat- A vote of thanks was officially passed to honour the four gentlemen that were behind the wheels

Photo: Stephen Wandera \ ActionAid who really did a fantastic job to the extent we concluded in the staff reflection meeting that our drivers were our heroes. This was coupled with the earlier field organization that was taken on by the Kapchorwa team that had to spend the previous night in Giriki as they were cut off by the rains. In a flash back, we looked at the extra miles staff walk and extra efforts they put in to achieve organisational targets and objectives and fully agreed that staff recognition and facilitation are key critical factors of success. From this experience, we recommend that some provision of hardship allowances could be discussed and instituted to provide an organisational recognition to staff that face such hardship to execute organizational duties.

The Giriki experience was the first of its kind for some staff members in the field trip and trust me it was a semi immersion to some of us. Because the experience was beneficial, we learnt that immersions should be adopted for each and every staff so as to have a clearer understanding and appreciation of the field and how the poor people we work with spend their daily lives.

The level of commitment that was shown by all the staff on board represented a lesson around team work and resilience. Much as we went through hard times, all staff worked hard and hand-in-hand to remain a team to overcome any unforeseen obstacles. This moment in our lives was a time when we were all more than ready to cross even the most difficult of bridges and ridges as we met them. This was a true representation of the family values and our unwritten culture that needs to be maintained in the AAIU community.

In conclusion, we agreed that the Giriki experience requires us to reflect, draw lessons to improve the way we organise and facilitate our work. A few of the learnings herein shared dem- onstrate that we need to examine our policies and ensure that they works for us, rather than Community members clearing the road staff working for policies. Uganda Special Edition Issue, May 2012 7 Articles written by the Media Partners

My experience with ActionAid has been a fulfilling one

Andrew in the areas of Soroti, Amuria and That is how we ended up in Teso ActionAid’s efforts in supporting Mugyema Katakwi districts. Thousands more sub-region, after three days we women and poor people demand were said to said to be in danger of had gathered a lot of evidence for their rights as well as building starvation after a prolonged drought of starving elderly people as well of schools among others. The spell and a sudden shift in the rain as children and women. We also most recent trip to Giriki in Kween patterns in the region. The popula- carried out in-depth interviews with District however almost turned tion was said to have resorted to the starving folks. The result of this in to a life and death affair, after surviving on wild fruits, leaves, coverage led to government and discovering that the road has been I picked interest in ActionAid’s work- weeds and in some extreme cases, parliamentary declaration of the damaged 34 kms to the venue of ing in 2008, particularly its drive to poisonous plants. Over once million problem as a national emergency the schools hand over. We took to fight hunger in grass root communi- people were estimated to have been which enable resources to be walking, after about 4 to 5 kms the ties. That led me to request the then staring at hunger in the face. But mobilized to channelled to the af- cars joined us, some local people communication Advisor to assist me all the same government remained fected communitie. had filled the gape in the road. and other colleagues to do investi- adamant and could not acknowl- In the evening we had to use an gative stories on the hunger situation edge the gravity of the problems. Since then I have worked closely alternative route which snaked in Eastern Uganda in 2009 which with ActionAid as a media partner through the Elgon Hills to Bukwo ActionAid was already working on It is in light of the above that Action- to cover several immersion exer- and Kween Districts before joining to bring out as an advocacy issue. Aid allowed to facilitate me (At the cises aimed at providing experien- the tarmacked road in Kapchorwa At the time extreme hunger is said time I was working with NTV Uganda tial learning from the lives of those town. Tt was so slippery that it to have been claiming lives in differ- – Senior reporter/Visioneer) and oth- living in poverty by donor and took us over 8 hours to cover a ent districts in Eastern Uganda but er colleagues from The Independent ActionAid officials, donor visits and distance of about 110 kms. For government was in denial. and The Observer to work as part of acting as a media liaison. Through every second we took on the road, its media advocates to bring out the Media Steps Ltd where I am cur- the ActionAid drivers fought hard Between February and April 2009, impacts of hunger for government rently the Producer in charge of so we do not tumble over the stiff local leaders reported that atleast action. Communication Development, cliffs due to the slippery nature of nine people had died of hunger I have been able to documents the road. A Humanitarian Photographer: I want to create awareness Stephen and rights issues that affect their tired to untire our shoe laces. of the day because the road got Wandera target communities. cut off after heavy rainfall watched Ojumbo, The flooding in Teso in August the road surface and culverts Humanitarian - Photographer Need Africa My major engagement in Humani- 2007 almost claimed my own life away at several spots. Phone: 256+0752 -500 625 email: [email protected] tarian Photography has been with too just like those of the many vic- ActionAid International Uganda. I tims -.may their soul rest in peace. Still my thanks go to the voiceless have handled various community In the heavy rainfall we (the driver and marginalised community for photography assignments from whose name I don’t remember, believing in “do it themselves”. My name is Stephen Wandera ActionAid one of which earned Sophie Irepu and I) were travelling Cars headed to Giriki would have Ojumbo; a humanitarian photogra- me the coveted Best Professional on of a tractor wading through not reached the destination if it pher in Uganda. I use photojour- Photography Category Award of mud to deliver tents for shelter to were not for the tireless and volun- nalism to create awareness on the ActionAid International “Positive the displaced communities as I tary effort of the same community plight of the less privileged. Lives Campaign Photo Exhibition” document the events unfold. In members. in 2006. a flash, I found my body hang- Through humanitarian photog- ing on my camera strap with my I was most thrilled by the story raphy, I raise profile of organiza- In November, 25th, 2006, I head down and rubbing on to the of an ActionAid driver - Godfrey tions that campaign and work travelled to Benet to meet the tractor tyre that was sunken into who refused to give a lift to the towards better living conditions of Ndorobo community in Kap- a huge hole. Sophie cried aloud local people he found on the way the vulnerable and marginalized chorwa to document their plight thinking I was already dead but walking in Bukwo a few years groups and persons in the society. as land less people. Two weeks of the pain in my broken rib could back. The same people took a My purpose through documenta- photo shoot was exhaustive at the not allow me utter a word to tell short cut and later found the driver tion and photo exhibitions is to same time fun. Stephen Cherwaru the driver to stop. He continued to stuck in a mud. On seeing them, inspire people to become person- - the driver, Chemisto - our guide drive a little and finally stopped - the driver knelt in mud to seek for ally involved in working together; and I would everyday at 8:00 am probably thinking like Sophie that I forgiveness and begged them for tackling issue that affect them by drive off from Kapchorwa town, was dead. a hand to remove the vehicle from reflecting faces and lives of real leave our vehicle by the road side where it was stuck. This draws people. To turn otherwise ordi- and start walking -climbing the Many more are my stories of hu- to one very simple: be friendly at nary stories and events into bold Hills of Mt. Elgon. We could fall off manitarian work-photography. On all times for all people will come statements about society through or run downwards without any grip 4th May 2012, we left Kapchorwa to your rescue the same way pictures (a thousand words) in due to the slippery ground but town heading to Giriki in Kwen ActionAid is a darling of the com- order to raise concern and tell well reach the settlements at flat top of District to witness and document munity due to their good deeds. hidden truth and stories. There- the Hills where I did documenta- ActionAid hand over Greek River Giriki River Primary School built for fore, I support organizations to tion all-day. We would get back to Primary School to Government. the community will go a long way communicate clearly the poverty Kapchorwa town in the night too We ended up getting stuck most in changing many lives in Kwen District and far. 8 Uganda Special Edition Issue, May 2012 The Giriki Community Communiqué Prepared by women of Giriki on behalf of the larger community and presented to the representative of the Minister of Education and Sports

We, the women and community of Giriki, would zz Ministry of Health for enlisting the health zz Ministry of Security and Ministry of De- like to use this function to share our painful centre to national medical supplies and pay- fence ensure a permanent deployment of experiences, joy for the support in resettling our ing for the two medical staff. adequate security personnel to address the community, raise our demands with the Gov- threats from armed stock rustlers; ernment and express our commitment to work zz Ministry of Education and Sports for for poverty eradication and justice for all girls, allocating an examination centre number for zz District Local Government ensures that women and people of Greater Ngenge. Greek River Primary School; and programmes designed to benefit the women and other poor and vulnerable people like zz Kween District Local Government for the Community Driven Development (CDD), Where we are coming from! political and administrative guidance to the We the people of Greater Ngenge have under- grants for the people with disabilities and sub-county and the community in re-settling others reach them and are fully accounted gone painful experiences arising out of poverty our community. and injustices, including: for; Looking Forward zz Insecurity to persons and property leading zz The Members of Parliament implement We have come a long way, and know that there their election manifestos to Giriki community, to loss of lives, low household incomes and is still a longer way to go in order to sustain the household food insecurity, displacement in meet to consult with and account to the Giriki gains we have registered as a people in the women and community four times in a year camps, loss of means of livelihoods resulting journey to our vision of a life of dignity for all. from cattle rustling, natural disasters espe- and champion their issues at district and We make the following demands of key duty national level; cially floods and drought which had led to bearers as below: abandonment of agriculture. zz Ministry of Education and Sports enlists zz Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social zz Insufficient and poor quality services such Greek River Primary School to the Grant Development supports the operations of as health, education, roads and agricultural Aided schools to benefit from all the Uni- women rights institutions in the district to extension both in terms of service but also versal Primary Education entitlements that ensure increased access to justice for girls infrastructure; include government payroll, capitation and and women; and school facilities grants, enrol the teacher zz Harmful cultural norms and practices that zz Cultural leaders and especially men on the hard to reach benefit scheme, stock have perpetuated Gender Based Violence spearhead joint efforts to abandon harm- the school with instructional materials, and resulting to psychological, social and physi- ful practices which infringe on the rights of support the school feeding programme to cal trauma and indignity especially to girls girls and women that include female genital ensure enrolment, retention and transition and women; and mutilation, ownership rights to productive to secondary or tertiary level; construct and resources by women, early and forced mar- zz Limited access to justice especially for the equip a government aided secondary and riage, and participation of women and youth girls and women who suffer indignity perpet- technical schools in the Greater Ngenge; in leadership and discussion making. uated by several socio cultural and econom- zz Office of the Prime Minster (OPM) ic conditions mentioned above. Playing Our Part! provides greater focus on funding the Giriki As a people and as leaders with a stake in the Still we are Grateful! community resettlement, reintegration and future of our community, we commit to do the As a people, we refuse to accept a life confined rehabilitation through supporting construc- following: to the above. We have opened up to work with tion of more school infrastructure, provision z various development agencies (State and non of school furniture and other services within z Continue to mobilise and act against Gender state). In this regard, we express our apprecia- the PRDP and NUSAF II facilities; Based Violence and support survivors to action for all the efforts and results attained in cess justice; z Ministry of Health re-settling our community and addressing our z upgrades Giriki Health Centre II to Health Centre IV with a resident zz Monitor performance of government pro- rights. We would like to hereby thank the follow- grammes and use the finding to hold public ing: doctor, fully equipped theatre, child and maternal services amongst others; officers accountable; zz ActionAid International Uganda for zz Act together in solidarity with like minded mobilising the communities, building our zz Ministry of Works and Transport up- organisations to protect, and support the girl understanding of our rights, funding pro- grades the community access roads to child at the family, community and instruc- grammes that include construction of houses central government roads and fund their tional level; for former IDPs, collective framing to restore construction to increase access to markets household food security, construction and and aide provision of social services which zz Work hard to overcome low household in- equipping of Giriki Health Centre II, con- will address the continuous failure by the comes; and struction of water sources, construction of an private contractors; eight classroom block and accommodation Above all, we resolve to set up a taskforce to zz Ministry of Energy extends electric power for two teachers, providing midday meals to oversee the process of following up with various supply to the district to support health and 763 pupils, installation of a 20 horse-power duty-bearers and on the key outstanding work education services, and development of grain mill for the school and supporting the to make the school and the community achieve local artisans which will provide jobs for the cultivation and planting of a 20 acre school its vision. We also commit to play our part in youth; garden amongst others. maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environ- ment for all children in the school.

ActionAid International Uganda Editorial team: Arthur Larok Henry Nickson Ogwal [email protected] Jacob Rosdahl