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UGANDA COUNTRY REPORT

by Immaculate L. Sekitto, country representative of NECOFA-Uganda

Introduction

 

On behalf of NECOFA -UGANDA, and on my own behalf, I have the pleasure to present the country report.  The period under review (since 2000) has been busy and challenging.  We have participated in many programs and undertook capacity building initiatives.

 

The Secretariat

 

Association of Uganda professional women in Agriculture and the Environment (AUPWAE) is still housing NECOFA-UGANDA.  Since it has no funding to have its own office.  Ms. Pamella Kizito, the Administrative assistant of AUPWAE has been incharge of the secretariat activities.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pamella for her extra ordinary performance, in registering all NECOFA members and keeping them informed of all the upcoming issues.

 

Membership

 

Over 200 members the active and registered are 51  

Key Activities

 

 

1. National Workshop on Ecofarming.

 

This was held between 28th and 29th Dec 2000.  It was sponsored

by the German Foundation for International Development (DSE)

through NECOFA. 

 

The main objectives of the workshop were:

 

• to were to create awareness about the Network for Ecofarming in
• Africa (NECOFA) and the national network (NECOFA – UGANDA).
• to acquaint participants with the major principles of Ecofarming
• and therefore develop a common understanding of the term
• Ecofaming.
• to create an awareness among members and supporters of
• ecofarming on the need and relevance of ecofarming in Uganda.
• to agree on the functioning of NECOFA-Uganda
• to build an alliance and develop commitment to facilitate the
• smooth establishment of NECOFA.
• to formulate strategies on how to strengthen NECOFA Uganda

 

 

31 participants attended the workshop from relevant government institutions (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries-MAAIF, NARO, MUK) and NGOs

 

 

The major outputs of the workshop included:

 

a)      Ways of Strengthening NECOFA-Uganda were proposed and agreed upon by all members.

 

These included:

 

• Establishment of a secretariat at  national level
• Identify key stakeholders (professionals, institutions, donors, and individuals) with whom to work
• Popularize Ecofarming activities
• Establishing regional representation
• Identify possible sources of funding.  Proposed sources included donors, NGOs, Uganda government and membership fees
• Build capacity of members by equipping them with knowledge and skills for applying Ecofarming practices
• Develop an organization structure to guide the running of NECOFA-Uganda
• Develop work plan

 

b)      Way Forward: Future activities proposed

 

• The draft constitution has to be availed to members so that they can provide input. 
• Popularizing NECOFA-Uganda and increase on membership.  This would require:

1. Development of fact sheets
2. Use of mass media (radio programmes and writing newspaper articles)
3. Involving key people in the campaign

• Develop a proposal for funding (the country representative was nominated as the lead person for this activity)
• Organize a general meeting for members by the end of 2001

 

c) Commitment and Volunteerism

 

Members agreed to contribute time and where possible money in a volunteer spirit to ensure that NECOFA –Uganda takes off.  Members agreed to participate in activity within their means, but most especially sensitizing colleagues at places of work about Ecofarming.

 

    

2.  Networking and Collaboration

 

 NECOFA has demonstrated Capacity and potential to make credible contribution to national development.  This has been reflected in the increasing number of linkages created by government institutions and NGOs with the NETWORK.  Some of the networking activities that NECOFA has participated in include:

 

a)      At National Level

 

We have networked with the following organizations:

 

• NOGAMU - National Organic Movement in Uganda
• AUPWAE - Association of Uganda Professional Women in
• Agriculture and Environment
• CEEWA - Council for Economic Empowerment of Women in
• Africa- Uganda Chapter
• GAN- Gender Alliance National Agricultural Advisory Services
• District Local Councils
• UNFA - Uganda National Farmers Association
• World Vision International
• Sesakawa Global 2000
• Cash Farm
• Secondary schools
• NARO - National Agricultural Research Organization
• MUK- Makerere university
• NEMA- National Management Environment Authority

 

Net working has been in the areas of consultative meetings, conducting demonstrations, writing articles for newsletters, training, project proposal writing.

 

b) At International National Level

 

• World Links for Development program.

 

This is a World bank distance learning program for Ghana and

Uganda.  It is a pilot program for a few selected secondary schools.

Two (2) of our members were invited to facilitate in a three-day

course (January 3-5, 2001) at the Global Learning Centre,

Kampala.   The course was on integrating sustainable development

and technology into the classroom.  We were informed that our

presentation was good.  Thanks to DSE because this was a result

of knowledge acquired during the ecofarming workshops of Ethiopia

and Cameroon.

 

Follow up workshop on the above (April 2002) on sensitizing secondary school teachers on importance of integrating sustainable agriculture in the curriculum

 

• Follow up workshop on the above (April 2002) on sensitizing secondary school teachers on importance of integrating sustainable agriculture in the curriculum

• The 8th International Interdisciplinary Women's Congress,Women's Worlds 2002, at Makerere University, Kampala

 

 

3) Achievements

 

• Increased visibility of NECOFA
• Increased mobilization of professionals
• Publishing of NECOFA activities
• Good will of NECOFA members.

 

 

4) Challenges and Limitations

• Limited financial resources: lack of an income generating activity or asset

• Lack of own office-we are depending on AUPWAE facilities

• Most of our activities are on small scale hence it is difficult in realizing impact

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

I thank everyone who has contributed to all achievements we have realized.

The question remains as to how we can address the ever-increasing demand for our services.  In my opinion, the issue of NECOFA's sustainability has never been so crucial as it is today.  I hope that our discussions in this workshop can be translated into activities that will ensure the sustainability of the network.  I am indeed grateful to my colleagues- the members of NECOFA- UGANDA for their support and Great Spirit of volunteerism that has enabled NECOFA to grow.

 

 

• back to NECOFA Uganda