By Denise Nanni and Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. Another interview from Uganda, this time with Anguria Michael,Executive Director of the organization SAF-Teso (Shine Africa Foundation Teso) and Human Rights Defender of the Teso Sub-Region in Uganda. We talked about the projects and objectives of his organisation and about the main problems people face in the region. The main objectivev of SAF-Teso is to empower the communities in the sub-region of Teso in Uganda. Would like to thank Michael for his detailled answers and information about his region in Uganda and its challenges at the level of community empowerment.

How was SAF-Teso founded and what are its objectives?

SAF-Teso (Shine Africa Foundation-Teso) is a Faith Based, Non-profit, Human Rights Based Advocacy Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Legally Registered with NGO Board, Ministry of Internal Affairs with REG NO 10050 and was established in 2006 as Shine Africa Ministries (SAM) by a group of indigenous community members who felt compelled to respond to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized people in the local communities particularly those affected by civil war, poverty, Illicit Drugs addiction and Substance abuse.

SAF-Teso main focus is to empower the local people, and create sustainable change through increasing access to incomes and basic health care services, Life Skills, Education, Enhancing opportunities for the reduction in drug supply and demand especially among youth and children, more importantly, promoting treatment, rehabilitation, recovery and social integration of the drug and substance users. SAF-Teso Community Empowerment Interventions mainly focus on Capacity Building/Trainings, Peer Education, and Skills Development Enhancement as a Hub for Employment Opportunities, Self Reliance and Income Generation which will help to address and mitigate both individual and environmental factors of vulnerability, Risks and support Community resilience initiatives through Sustainable Community Led Interventions.

The organization’s core programs include Public Health, Education, Livelihoods, Entrepreneurship, Food Security& Income Generating Projects, Human Rights & Social Justice, Environmental Management & Conservation, (Natural Resources, Environmental education, Afforestation, Waste Disposal and Management, and Renewable Energy). Other support activities where the organisation has been effective are, International Volunteer Cooperation and Placement, Skills Trainings, Research, Advocacy, Sports, Culture, Music, Dance and Drama.

SAF-Teso is working to empower many underprivileged rural communities facing extremes of hunger, disease, poverty, poor Hygiene and Heath practices, social exclusion, unemployment, severe malnutrition, high burdens of alcohol, illicit drug addiction, and substance abuse especially in young people. These issues adversely impacts local economic development and is creating social inequalities among the people.

SAF-Teso works to create sustainable change in the lives of disadvantaged people through basic social services that improve likelihood and increase access to social justice system to enhance the response to victims of sexual violence, reduce the likelihood of perpetration of sexual violence, promoting a multi-sectoral approach for reduction in drug supply and Demand, adding voice for Drug Policy formulation at all levels, promotion for Treatment, Rehabilitation and Social Integration of the drug users, strengthening communities’ capacity to create safe environments for women and children ,and enabling platforms for respect and promotion for the enjoyment of the Human Rights and Expression of the Fundamental Freedoms among local citizenry .

We engage in Advocacy for coordination of better public Health systems and Public Safety in order to build effective and practical policies at all levels to ameliorate the enormous burdens, risks and vulnerabilities caused by illicit drug consumption and substance abuse among youth, children and adult populations at the communities and Institutions in the Teso Sub-Region and beyond.

SAF-Teso Advocacy programs ,creates powerful opportunities for the promotion of Human Rights, Participatory Democracy, Good Goverance, Civic Education and awareness creation to equip the vulnerable people and groups with skills for enhancing their abilities and responsibilities to understand the state obligations, Human Right Defenders work of Building Coalitions and Human Rights forums for increasing access to Justice, Human Rights promotion and protection, the department does Documentation, Investigation, Reporting, Monitoring and Interviewing the various victims of Human Rights Violations and abuses, Human Rights Education and intervention (e.g. accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault.

SAF-Teso also hosts international volunteers under our volunteer cooperation initiative, since 2013 to-date SAF-Teso has hosted volunteers coming from the UK, Kenya, USA ,Iraq, France, Canada, Sweden, Germany , Spain, Zimbabwe, and Switzerland . SAF-Teso’s strategic direction is guided by the ultimate GOAL to focus on improving various areas of community life and fundamental human rights through itsVISION a society in which the local population is empowered to equality of access to the whole spectrum of quality social services and MISSIONto work in a holistic manner towards improving quality of life of vulnerable and marginalized individuals in the Teso sub-region, by empowerment through interventions that increase access to education, health care and sustainable living through income generating projects regardless of colour, tribe, age, ability, gender, political or religious affiliations.

The above are anchored by the Core Values of: operating culture based on open and honest dialogue, team-working, collective decision-making, pluralism in society, pursuit of equity – securing rights, creating access and opportunity, and building capabilities necessary to achieve well-being for all people. For more information about SAF-Teso, our achievements, and how you can partner with us through volunteer placement opportunities, grants funding. More information about the organisation can be obtained from our website: www.safteso.org; and face book page: safteso

We would welcome your support as a partner to deliver programs and cooperation in the International Volunteer/Interns placement opportunities. We can host any number of volunteers/interns and their families as well.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To increase access to education, health care and sustainable living through income generating projects for everyone with a need.
To promote health education on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV Prevention (SRHR/HIV) among young people in both schools and rural communities.
To promote integrated systems for alternative use of energy sources in institutions and communities in the region and beyond.
To empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with resources and information that helps them realise their potential and live an inclusive life

Our Christian faith plays an important part in our work. We believe our strength in God helps us in implementing our key programs with our limited financial resources.

What are the main social issues in Uganda?

There are many rural communities facing extremes of hunger, disease, poverty, poor Hygiene and Heath practices, social exclusion, unemployment, severe malnutrition, high burdens of alcohol, illicit Drug addiction, and substance abuse especially in young people, these issues adversely impacts local economic development and is creating social inequalities among the people. Teso Sub-Region and Uganda at large has suffered from civil war, poverty, Illicit Drugs addiction and Substance abuse.

There are high cases of perpetration of sexual violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence and Gender based Violence on women and Children. Fundamental Freedoms among local citizenry.

There are many various victims of Human Rights Violations and abuses, mainly youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault.

There are rampant and overwhelming cases of Gender based Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual violence,child abuse and neglect received and recorded daily in Kadungulu Sub-County, over 20 cases of Human rights Violations and abuses are logged daily largely because men live polygamous lives, use incomes from landing sites/fishing activities as a means and a hub for Commercial sex trade and in the end they abandon their official wives , many women are killed and children are abandoned.

This partly is attributed to negligence by most Men because they spend time fishing and when they return home; they move to drink and abandon their children together with their mothers, this exacerbates HIV/AIDS transmission. The worst sub-county with high cases of early marriages, cases of DV is Kadungulu in Serere District.

Overview about Teso Sub-Region(Where SAF-Teso Operates):

Teso sub-region is found in Eastern Uganda, with a total of 09 districts namely: Amuria, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Soroti, Serere, Ngora, Kumi, Bukedea and Pallisa. The sub-region has a total estimated population of 2.5 million people of Iteso and Kumam ethnicity. It has a total of 87 sub counties, and 02 Municipalities of Kumi and Soroti.

Brief Political, Social and Economic History about Teso Sub-Region:

Teso sub-Region from 1960’s and 70’s used to be peaceful save Karamojong Cattle rustlers who would disturb peace in the neighbouring districts, the rest of sub-region has total peace and stability and Teso used to be economically sound, most households had hundreds and thousands of cattle, the main economic activity was cattle rearing and the sub-region used to produce highest numbers of qualified professionals.

The 1989, the glory of Teso was faded ,stolen , political instability cropped , cattle were stolen by Karamojong and entire Teso Sub-Region collapsed , civil war started in the entire Teso Sub-Region because people were annoyed with Government, many people were staying in camps since then and it worsened in 2003, when the Lord’s Resistance Army(LRA ) of Joseph Konyi evaded most parts of Amuria, Katakwi and Soroti, people were killed mainly women, children and men, this war again created deadly blow to the economy of Teso. The LRA invasion of 2003- 2004 left many people killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of people most of whom are now living in camps. In 1989, there was also drought in the Teso Sub-Region and this dripped economic activity in the Sub-Region.

Another disaster fell in the sub-region in 2007-2009, most parts were affected by floods which also displaced many people and left many homeless.

Now currently in 2017, there is hunger in most parts in the Teso sub-region due to prolonged drought. The sub-region having witnessed and gone through such political turbulence and natural disasters in the last two decades has reversed the glory of Teso Sub-Region, people were affected economically and socially, infrastructure was destroyed, many people killed and this has naturally affected the people, majority are now poor, Teso is ranked now the third last and entire population of Teso is weak both economically and socially.

Despite the remarkable improvement in enrolment since the start of UPE in 1996, Teso region has fielded very poor results at the annual national Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) for a larger part of the last 17 years. The impact of insurgency, cattle rustling, and a wave of natural disasters such as the 2007 floods, have also created long-standing social disruption and deprivation that have combined to entrench people in the region in perpetual distress.

“Teso had an outstanding education arrangement. Many of those who passed through the schools received the best instruction and a majority of them were able to join university. The quality of education in the region is wanting and even the government’s free education scheme for primary and secondary schools has not been of much help. Whereas in the past, government schools that used to perform better than those privately owned, it is now the latter that are ever excelling in the final national examinations.

“Political instability is to blame for the misfortunes that have befallen education in Teso. Local leaders are also not committed to engaging communities to generate solutions on how to get better performance from children in the region. The average performance in government schools across all sub counties is more wanting, but as the region continues to encounter challenges of poor education, there is need to explore the underlying factors underpinning poor performance.

Summary of the Current Economic and Social Problems (Threats), affecting Socio-Economic Development in the Teso Sub-Region and Uganda at Large.

High levels of Poverty a cross many households;
Alcohol, Illicit drug Consumption among many young people/Youth and men, this has resulted in to insecurity, theft in most parts in Teso Sub-Region;
High rates of Unemployment among Youth and Women,
People are planting Marijuana, Cocaine in their gardens; this is a threat to the entire Teso Sub-Region;
Peer social unruly and criminal youth social group popularly known as“Okadibong,”this youth social grouping got intertwined in Teso Sub-Region and they spend their time smoking, drinking and consuming illicit drugs, source of theft, high cases of insecurity and pregnancies on young girls;

Local Leadership betrayal .Many people now in the Teso Sub-region do not trust their elected leaders simply because of poor service delivery, they do not hold central and local governments accountable, people have no confidence again;
Weak grass root Civil Society Organizations not empowered, they are supposed to be the bedrock of Democracy in any society;
High Illiteracy levels attributed to high school dropout rates ;
Limited Civic Education Initiatives to empower people with citizen and state obligations ;
Poverty/Frustration/Idleness among youth and men , they spend time gambling , drinking and playing in the Trading centres instead of participating in household economic activities resulting in to poverty which as negatively affected socio-economic household progress;
Corruption has stiff necked all public Institutions’ ,yet CSO’s the end users are not effective to check state power, demand for the rule of the law, people’s equality, the empowerment for people in the defense of fundamental natural human rights , accountability, and social and moral fabric of the society is weakened and lost. Grassroot CSO’s cannot encourage citizen activism in solving practical problems, fostering tolerance and inclusiveness.
Citizens ownership and participation in governance is very low, most Ugandans – the majority of whom reside in rural communities are illiterate – still lack basic knowledge of their rights and responsibilities; they remain unfamiliar with ways of participating actively in decision-making at the local level and holding their elected officials accountable, this is highly witnessed in the Teso Sub-Region. The problem is further compounded by village local council leaders majority cannot read and write and yet they are peoples elected representatives;
Political Representation: There is increased perception by local people in the Teso Sub-Region that local governments are in reality mere appendages of the central government and that most politicians get into office principally to help themselves to public resources and privileges;
Limited Stakeholders Participation, majority of parents, worst in most rural settings many parents have given up , there is no parental and Childhood Bonding ,break down in moral and family social values children are left alone and sent to schools without any relevant scholastic materials in the end , this has contributed to bigger percentages of early school dropout rates in young boys and girls ,boys going to play in the trading centres, gambling, sports betting ,fishing for those near the landing sites like Serere District, smoking , drinking and stealing and girls get early pregnancies;
High incidences and cases of Gender Based Violence, Domestic Violence , Sexual Violence , human rights violations and abuses , high disease burdens –HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis B virus in many households in the Teso Sub-Region, men live polygamous lives, they have abandoned their spouses –women and children and majority of households in the Teso sub-region now live in the deprivation trap of Poverty;
Land conflicts , Grabbing of land & Sell , serious problem in Teso sub-region, partly contributed by high population growth rate, many young people are producing , yet they are still dependent on their parents , many have no stable household incomes to sustain their livelihoods and welfare , it is a big problem in the Sub-Region if not mitigated ,will lead to a calamity in nearby future;
Many of the above incidences have chronically and negatively weakened socio-economic development in the Teso Sub-Region, major sectors like Health and Education are weak, this have greatly and largely contributed to poor Education Performance in the Teso Sub-Region and needs to be reversed and revitalised through strategies identified in this proposal.

Anatomy and Dissectomy of Poor Education Standards in the Teso Sub-Region (Uganda at Large):

In spite of all these conscious efforts by the Ministry of Education and Sports, Local Governments and Non State actors (NGOs), other Development Partners, Teso still remains witnessing poor Performance in the Education Sector, worst in all Government aided Primary schools. This poor performance is contributed by the myriad of factors /Challenges and existing situations as precursors of Poor Education in the Teso Sub-Region and Uganda at Large.

Vulnerability in many households, majority of parents or guardians cannot provide their children with basic scholastic materials;
Duty attendance ,majority of rural teachers dodge their lessons and abandon their learners (low pupil teacher contact hours),no love and commitment to their job;
No feeding program in most primary Government schools, yet the children leave their homes even with empty stomachs;
Child labour which affects pupils learning, worst in the girls’ education ,this means that 2 in every 5 children in class in the Teso Sub-Region are engaged in some economic activity, this explains why most learners report late to start their lessons, this severely is affecting schooling programme activities, causes delay in the lessons execution;
The lack of separate toilets for girls results in absenteeism and still remains a challenge to girls’ education, Teso Sub-Region and Uganda at large;
No regular assessments given to pupils , teachers fear the big numbers of pupils in class and many teachers are poorly motivated ;
Poor /Inadequate school Infrastructure like shortage or limited classrooms, no Libraries where pupils and teachers can research , read and improve their knowledge ,limited staff accommodation/staff houses, limited staff rooms ,limited/ fewer desks , fewer/poor sanitary facilities and non existing Teaching learning aids in most schools in the Teso Sub-Region;
Pupil to Teacher Ratio, shortage of staff personnel, majority of primary schools in the Teso sub-region, do not have full number of teachers, this has affected the quality and performance in the Education Sector;
Quality of teachers /personnel is low, there is generally decline in the education standards in Uganda, this affects the quality of teachers produced ;
No Career Guidance in most rural schools ,there are no role models who come and give a motivation to pupils and teachers;
Inadequate and Low supervision and inspections by the district and sub counties due to poor funding;
Government releases in Education is limited/small Resource envelop allocated to the Education sector
High levels of absenteeism from learners due to no family and parental bonding with children, most men are drunk during the day, failure of most parents to provide essential scholastic education materials to their children , many absentee on this grounds , the pupils see no relevance of studying/staying at school and there are also no role models in Teso Sub-Region to encourage the children, the break down in family virtues , morals and values is lacking ,majority of parents spend their time drinking and leave the children alone to struggle with their mothers ;
Absenteeism from teachers is largely by contributed to poor monitoring and supervision by head teachers, parents and Governance Systems and structures in schools, these are supposed to enforce and bring compliance to the Teachers Code of Conduct;
Limited stakeholders participation, SMCs, PTA& BOG, Leadership and Roles are lukewarm in most primary schools, most of these Goverance and Management structures are defunct and non –Functional.

This is contributed by the low levels of literacy in those mandated to monitor , supervise and enforce transparency, accountability and Effective Social Service Delivery;

Integrate/Mainstream the teaching School Curriculum with humanities like Leadership and Goverance, Conflict Resolution, Accountability, Transparency, Justice/Rule of the Law; Human Rights, Good Goverance, Pro- Democracy (Participatory), Advocacy, Counselling and Guidance, Social Policy, Community Economic Development (Livelihoods), Charity work/Volunteering ,all these will improve service delivery and instil moral standards, values, passion and love to duty (Patriotism);
No Refresher Courses/Trainings/limited Capacity Building for teachers to update their knowledge and skills besides their teaching content, many teachers have obsolete content delivered to pupils(emphasis now on Vision 2040, SDGs);
No electricity/Solar Provision in most rural setting schools, pupils and teachers cannot read, research and improve their learning opportunities;
Social factors such as forced early marriage, and preference of boys over girls have largely limited girls’ access to education in many rural areas in the Teso Sub-Region and Uganda at large. Other factors that have compounded the problem include outmoded customs, lack of schools in some rural areas, and a high level of ignorance on importance of girl child education;
High levels of indiscipline among the teachers and learners;
Role conflict among some schools, this has killed staff morale to deliver effectively;
Unsafe School Environment –Loitering animals ,birds , bats in classrooms ,smelling and cracked classrooms, staff rooms , some schools lack female teachers, girls are unattended, all these affects the learning of the pupils in classrooms and have contributed to poor performance and early school dropout in girls;

All the above stated problems and situations existing in the current Education System ,have contributed largely to Deprivation of Quality Education Performance in the Teso Sub-Region and Uganda at large and has resulted in to many grassroot communities experiencing illiteracy, poverty and increases in health related risks. The Solution to these challenges lies in the multi-faceted strategies and Ideologiesproposed in this programm.

The problems facing many rural households in Teso currently is poverty, drought and hunger, it is worst among grassroot rural women, disabled, elderly and young single mothers, they suffer from poverty, disease burdens, Domestic Violence, Gender Based Violence and Sexual Violence among women and Children. Most men have abandoned their wives and spend most of their time in the trading centres drinking and leaving household burdens to women alone.

Sexual violence, under age sexual practice, gender inequality and HIV/AIDS prevalence remains a major concern in the Serere District. The majority of sub-counties in Serere district are surrounded with landing sites, subsequently a lot of the males are fishermen, and they have abandoned their household obligations. After a long day fishing, many will turn to alcohol and majority of men in Serere district live polygamous lives. Also some women who are financially struggling swap fish for sexual relationships with these fishermen in order to make a living.

The National Housing and Population Census Census (NHPC), 2014 indicated that Serere district as a Total population of 285,903. 146,410 are Women, giving 51.2) % as a percentage of women. Many of these are grassroot women are experiencing high household burdens. Failure of husbands (men) to provide essential commodities to their households (Family Bonding values and virtues) for children (Boys and Girls) have led to increased incidences and cases of early pregnancies in young girls and boys drop out of school for preference of fishing in the landing sites, and playing in the trading centres.

Due to failure of the parents in Teso to have family bonding with their children, many youth have resulted in to drinking and smoking illicit drugs, cocaine, Marijuana and there are many gardens of Cocaine in Serere district, this is now like farming as an avenue of getting cash. This has created many family problems, it is one of the major factors contributing to poor education performance in most government primary schools in Teso Sub-region, and the local council leadership is still silent on this social scam. Men in Serere and Teso at large now live polygamous marriages and since Serere is surrounded by the landing sites most men use incomes from landing sites/fishing activities as a means and a hub for Commercial sex trade and in the end they abandon their official wives, many women are killed and children are abandoned.

Many trading centres in Serere district have very low/poor sanitation and hygiene facilities, there are no pit latrines, no safe water facilities and a majority of the population is denied access to basic needs, women and adolescent girls cannot afford to buy menstrual pads, in the end the menuse young women and girls for commercial sex, they infect them with HIV/AIDS and many people are sick, worst is many people practice open defecation which has exposed them to risks of water-borne and hygiene related diseases causing vulnerabilities and exposure to poverty.

Most rural places in Serere district also experience high cases of Human Rights Violations and abuses on women and Children, worst in Kadungulu Sub-County and also sub-counties surrounded by the landing sites. Sexual violence coupled with HIV/AIDS rates are increasing, worst in the landing sites, many women were killed last year in 2016 over 10 women were buttered by their husbands over Domestic Violence. Vulnerability of grassroot women in Teso Sub-Region is a result of poverty, these request robust interventions like as proposed by SAF-Teso in this project.

There are also high cases of fertility rates recorded in Kateta and Kyere Sub-Counties and generally this is a biggest challenge for Teso Sub-Region, most families are poor and yet the husbands come home drunk and only think of their conjugal rights as opposed to taking responsibilities and duties, and women suffer from these family burdens.

The reality now is many families and households in the Teso Sub-Region have been dislocated and impoverished and yet there are many children and high demands are placed on women to look for food, incomes, clothing, paying school fees andmeeting healthcare/medical bills, all these have made and placed grassroot rural women in Teso in to suffer from vulnerabilities and they can only regain their glory through livelihood empowerment andHuman Rights Public and Social Advocacy, otherwise the grassroot women will remain disregarded with low self esteem and used by men as economic vessels for deriving incomes and satisfying their sexual pleasures.

Despite the existing legal and policy frameworks in Uganda there is weak implementation of these laws and policies on child protection. In Kadungulu sub-county, Serere District, Teso Sub-Region there are high numbers of cases concerning gender based violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and neglect, early pregnancy, as well as increasing cases of young girls becoming victims of sexual exploitation. On average, the office of the Community Development Officer and Police Department in Kadungulu sub-county receive over 30 cases falling into one or more of the above categories daily. This situation is worse for young girls living near fishing landing sites because men use money in exchange for sex. One in every four girls between 15 and 19 in Kadungulu sub-county is already a mother or pregnant with her first child. The situation is worrying to me and rest of the sub-county administration I believe training received in SIDA will improve things and yield magic bullets.

On average around 50% of households in the Teso Sub-Region are living below the Ugandan poverty line, more so in rural areas. Failure of the region to end rising poverty out of Teso sub-region is partly a result of abuses linked to the social norms. There are several other factors which continue to hinder effective implementation of laws and policies to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights. Among them are inadequate resources, low capacity and motivation of duty bearers (police, judiciary and Civil Society Organizations) on preventing and responding to child abuse, child marriage, early pregnancies, and violence against women and children. At the community level there are low levels of reporting and poor referral mechanisms for the most vulnerable. This means children; caregivers and communities might be reluctant to report incidents that happen. There is also limited awareness among children, community members and even duty bearers on children’s rights, their roles in child protection as well as on the negative impacts of child marriage, and early pregnancy.

Uganda signed many International and Regional Treaties on Human Rights, but there is slow response on Implementation. Generally in most rural parts in Uganda, ordinary citizens and grassroot CSOs are not involved in the promotion of human rights, Civic Education, there is Low Citizen Participation, numerous Electoral scams because people do not know their Civic Obligations, the grassroot HRDs do not know and are not aware of any existing international, regional and National Legal Frame works, the citizens have limited knowledge about the Constitution and Prominent laws like POMA .

Whereas Uganda has ratified for the endorsement of many Regional and International Protocols, Treaties or Declarations, there is limited space for grassroot CSOs and HRDs to exercise freedom of associations and expression to educate the masses, the Public Order Management Act 2013, restricts, limits and prohibits CSOs and HRDs to promote Human Rights and ensure that the citizens enjoy all their fundamental freedoms and rights as enshrined in the national laws of Uganda, Constitution and also contravenes the Regional and International Declarations of the Human Rights.

Individuals, groups, institutions and non Governmental organisations have an important role to play and a responsibility in safeguarding democracy, promoting Human Rights and Fundamental freedoms and contributing to the promotion and advancement of democratic societies, institutions and processes. Individuals, groups and CSOs/NGOs have an important role and responsibility in contributing, as appropriate, to the promotion of the right of everyone to a social and International order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other Human Rights Instruments can be fully realized.

Currently, there is limited space for the full realization of the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Uganda, the democratic space is limited/narrow and generally grassroot CSOs, are mere appendages and not a solution to people’s problems; they are inconsistent touching, ancillary or incidental to the law. CSOs cannot advocate and agitate for the well labelled Environment for HRDs, worst in the Teso Sub-Region and other parts in Uganda, they are scared of being deregistered by Government, and it threatens to deny them the status for carrying out their legitimate work freely.

The HRDs in Uganda are operating in very volatile and polarised Environments which cannot allow them to promote Civic Education, Democracy and Good Goverance , there is wide spread corruption which has stiff necked and caused anaemia in the Public Service Delivery. There is poor service Delivery, HRDs are exposed to this Environmental risks, hazards and threats.

HRDs have been deprived of full enjoyment of human rights, right to life, liberty and personal security normally are compromised with persecution, attacks, harassment, social marginalization, blacklisting, arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, inhuman or degrading punishment and prohibited in all forms to the enjoyment of full rights, liberty and freedom of association.

HRDs suffer from the effects of directed harassment, intimidation, arrests and victimisation by the state and other non-state functionaries. The political risks and threats are normally issued both by Government and Political leaders, the police normally are perpetrators, they interfere, making it very difficult for the HRDs to access information, access victims/persons whose rights have been violated and abused, the operational risks are mainly coordination difficulties and management and Geographical risks, Uganda is very volatile for human rights violations and abuses, While executing routine duties as a HRD, one is exposed as a subject of attack by any organised groups including but not exclusively state agents and other functionaries.”

The various legislations that were passed recently are pointers and antennas for the shrinking space for HRDs and CSOs to engage in their advocacy gains to secure freedom of opinion, expression and assembly among the common citizenry.

The POMA reboots and Contravenes CSOs mandate, they have been weakened and no longer very vibrant, worst with grassroot CSOs, most grassroot CSOs are all dead, need to be Rejuvenated. The CSOs are intimidated, activists are threatened and they turn off from paying to the hard course.

SAF-Teso is facing threats because we work on Governance issues, Human Rights, Civil and Political Rights and this as exposed SAF-Teso and many CSOs in to risk and there are threats for office break-ins.

The Non-Governmental Act 2015 requires CSOs and HRDs to have joint advocacy runs and jogs with Government to create an enabling Environment to enhance promotion and protection of their Rights.

Whereas a lot of Capacity Building programmes, Advocacy, Research and Reporting on Human Rights Defenders in Uganda have been by and large championed by The Uganda Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU) in partnerships with local and International Human Rights activism Organisations, a lot remains desired to be done, related to creating an enabling Environment and unlocking strict space for operations of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Uganda.

CSOs and HRDs needs to reposition themselves in order to remain relevant to the current existing Democratic Governance in Uganda , they must strive to remain a ring fence and a Trigger for the People in the Exercise of their Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Sale and consumption of sachet waragi/Illicit drugs in the Teso Sub-Region has resulted into mental impairment accidents, theft, domestic violence, rape, low Production and Productivity among others thus leading to high levels of Poverty and dependency syndrome.

The ban on the sale and consumption of sachet waragi/Illicit drugs will help in reducing the levels of poverty and high crime rates in Teso sub- region among the youth.

Whereas Civil Society forms the bedrock of Democracy in any society, in Uganda, Grassroot CSO’s and Ordinary citizens in the Teso sub-region have by and large remained weakened and spectators in service delivery,leadership and management in Uganda today are compared like an Elephant and a small animal, a lot of pressure is exerted on ordinary citizenry, yet there are high levels of Illiteracy, vote buying and idleness, poverty, disease, low participation and involvement of ordinary citizens in service delivery.

Corruption has stiff necked all public Institutions’ ,yet CSO’s the end users are not effective to check state power, demand for the rule of the law, people’s equality, the empowerment for people in the defense of fundamental natural human rights , accountability, and social and moral fabric of the society is weakened and lost. Grassroot CSO’s cannot encourage citizen activism in solving practical problems, fostering tolerance and inclusiveness.

Citizens ownership and participation in governance is very low, most Ugandans – the majority of whom reside in rural communities and are illiterate – still lack basic knowledge of their rights and responsibilities; they remain unfamiliar with ways of participating actively in decision-making at the local level and holding their elected officials accountable.

The problem is further compounded by village local council leaders majority cannot read and write and yet they are peoples elected representatives. Consequently, sustained civic education activities need to be carried out in local communities to stimulate increased public participation in local governance, thereby contributing to the consolidation of democracy and peace.

The notion that power belongs to the people is a mere indictment , a slogan and a jargon for deriving self interests and denying local people access to participate in the democratic and development processes , freedom of expression is a myth in Uganda .

Electoral Representation:

There is increased perception by local people that local governments are in reality mere appendages of the central government and that most politicians get into office principally to help themselves to public resources and privileges.

The weak Civil Society, which is fragmented and lacks the right skills and resources with which to facilitate effective dialogue between the leaders, other stakeholders and the citizens as well as to hold the government agencies and political leaders accountable.

The governance structures in Uganda that have limited know-how on Multi-party political systems, civic education awareness, selection and sponsorship of political candidates, political dialogue, political experience, political resource mobilisation, running of political campaigns, limited resources and intolerance to competitive democratic processes.

What are, according to your experience, the key elements that lead to community empowerment?

Engaging grassroot communities mainly women and youth in decision-making, leadership and management, trainings/capacity building programs, project management and funding. Also providing communities with grants, funding to support their self help initiatives .Making grassroot communities to participate in the promotion of Human Rights programs, Democracy and Good Governance, reducing poverty through income generating projects, opening businesses for communities, training them in income generating projects ,Life Skills and International Volunteering Opportunities.

Grassroot communities can also be empowered through undertaking Public and Social Advocacy programs, Gender Equality and reducing conflicts and marginalisation on women like land conflicts, women are denied land rights.

Do you carry on any specific project in order to promote women’s rights and empowerment?

Yes many of our projects are women on women’s Empowerment like:

Name of the project: Empowerment of Victims of Domestic Violence, Disabled Women, Young Single Mothers/Child headed families and Women Sex Workers in the Lake Shores lines of Kadungulu & Pingire Sub-counties, Serere District-Eastern Uganda.

The Project Goal: is to improve the respective economic and social conditions of Victims of Domestic Violence, Disabled Women, Young Single Mothers and Women Sex Workers affected by chronic poverty and disease within the margins of Kadungulu Sub-county.

The Project Titles for this idea of change projects are ; Promotion of Sexual Reproductive Health rights drive to end child marriage and child pregnancies Project; Prevention of Sexual Violence against women and girls in Kadungulu & Pingire Sub-Counties, Serere District and

Project Title: Enhancing the awareness of gender-based violence and its effects through Domestic Violence Prevention community-based interventions.

Project Title:

“Improved Goat and Sheep Rearing Project for Marginalised women and Single Mothers in Serere District.”

“Improving Education in the Teso Sub-Region.”

The Kindle Mothers & Children Project (Scaling up efforts to empower, energize hopes and expectations of children with HIV+, young single HIV+ mothers in, Ngora Soroti and Serere Districts).

SAF-Teso through this project seeks to provide comprehensive holistic services to the 150 HIV+ children, 50 HIV+ youth, and 200 OVC households in the selected sub-counties in, Ngora, Serere and Soroti districts in Eastern Uganda. The Project will empower the beneficiary households through increased access to Education, income and basic health care services. The project will target these vulnerable groups by increasing their access to education, healthcare and sustainable living through income generating projects. These will include: Bakery creation, Knitting Project, Savings and Credit Promotion, and Educational Programs

Human Rights, Good Governance, Participatory Democracy & Human Rights Defenders Projects

SAF-Teso Advocacy programs ,creates powerful opportunities for the promotion of Human Rights, Participatory Democracy, Good Goverance, Civic Education and awareness creation to equip the vulnerable people and groups with skills for enhancing their abilities and responsibilities to understand the state obligations, Human Right Defenders work of Building Coalitions and Human Rights forums for increasing access to Justice , Human Rights promotion and protection,the department does Documentation, Investigation, Reporting, Monitoring and Interviewing the various victims of Human Rights Violations and abuses, Human Rights Education and intervention (e.g. accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault.

SAF-Teso being a Human Rights Advocacy based organisations, promotes Community Human Rights Based Approaches, especially in partnership with many stakeholders local, national and International levels we promote:

· Monitoring, reporting, safety and risk assessment, Advocacy and field outreach;

· Collection and Dissemination of Information about Human Rights Violations and abuses to different partners;

· Conducting specialized trainings on promotion and awareness raising, Multi-stakeholders Advocacy to promote voice,transparency and accountability in the delivery of public services

· Mentoring Youth, women and local citizenry to be effective advocates, Human Rights Defenders, change agents, peace brigades, Community Barometers, whistle blowers , amplifiers, and monitors of Good Governance, Human Rights activism, Participatory Democracy through increasing awareness, Communication, Research and outreach, publications of information on print and Social Networks, Supporting Youth and Women driven-Citizens’ Forums, Community Barazas, debates, Dialogues, Civic Education, trainings, Media and Public Advocacy, organizing Local events, workshops, and conferences, Networking and provision of materials and knowledge for skills in areas of demand-side driven governance;

· Advocacy and Activism for promotion of Democracy, Good Governance, Accountability and demanding Voice for grassroot CSOs and rural HRDs at risk to heard at all foras;

· Stakeholders consultative meetings, Events, Workshops and Conferences for Human Rights , Democracy and Good Governance

· Trial observation, supervision and follow up;

· Land conflicts mediation; Conflict resolution, peace and advocacy for rule of law and justice;

· Documentation of incidences of threats ,Violations and abuses, reporting to local, national, regional and International partners for action;

· Capacity building, Human Rights Education (awareness–raising) to strengthen and build capacity of grassroot HRDs and CSOs;

· Civic Education and Citizens Community forum discussions, dialogues and Barazas;

· Awareness –Raising about the existing National, Regional and International Human Rights Treaties, Protocols, Mechanisms and Conventions(UPR, UNGASS, UN Declarations on Human Rights and ALL Relevant International Instruments);

· Publicity of Human Rights Violations and abuses cases and incidences on all print, Electronic and Social Media;

· Publication of information, life stories, testimonies about HRDs,Women and Children under risks, threats and victims of Domestic Violence, Gender Based Violence and Sexual Violence;

· Linkage for Proborno-free aid legal services to the victims of DV, SV&GBV

My Health First (MHF) Project.

My theory change project will provide 5 P’s: Prevention, Provision, Promotion, Prosecution and Partnership& Participation. These projects developed will provide a comprehensive plan addressing education (Awareness), healthcare (treatment + Counselling), social welfare (outreach programs, health camps) and Law & Enforcement (Police) needs to be brought together under the Government initiative so as to address all the aspects of domestic violence and sexuality violence and drug addiction in young people/youth (Children).

Project Title:

Youth adolescent sexual and reproductive health Education project.

Overall Goal of the project is to expand the availability of quality integrated adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights education with HIV/AIDS Services among the Adolescents /Youth in the four districts of Serere, Ngora, Soroti and Kumi in the selected seven sub-counties of Kadungulu ,Atiira, Pingire, Bugondo, Gweri, Ngora, and Kobwin .

The purpose of the project is to enable adolescents /youth in the target districts in the selected sub-counties to be educated on their sexual and reproductive health rights, empowering them through life planning skills so that they are able to promote their Sexual and reproductive health rights and consequently avoid risky health behaviours

SAF-Teso as great previous and current experience in Human Rights, social Justice, Democracy and Good Goverance execution. Most projects were implemented for a period of one year. The previous and Current Human Rights projects; Title 1: Increasing awareness levels of the women and youth Participation in Democracy, Human Rights and Good Goverance promotion (Budget $10000) .Title2: Reducing Human Rights Violations on women and Children in Kadungulu Sub-County (Budget $5000). Title 3: Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Children and Women in the Teso sub-region(Budget $8000) Title 4: Promoting Human Rights Education in Communities and schools in Kadungulu Sub-County(Budget $4000) .Title 5: Enahncing Women’s Land Rights in the Teso Sub-Region(Budget $10000). Title 6: Increasing knowledge and skills on timely and appropriate assistance for HRDs at risk case management and handling of HRD cases (Budget$3000).

Title 7: Legal Aid for women and children’s Rights (Budget $7000) .

Title 8: Know your Land Rights (Budget $3000). Title 9: Promoting Community Awareness of Basic Human Rights, Peace Building, Accountability, Democracy and Good Goverance in the Teso Sub-Region(Budget $20000).

Project Title “Strengthening Grassroot CSOs Coalitions for Expanding Democratic Governance and Enhancing Multi-stakeholders Advocacy Engagement for Human Rights Activism.”

Project Summary:

Project Title: “Strengthening Grassroot CSOs Space and HRDs Advocacy Voice for Enhancing Human Rights Activism and Protection of HRDs, Democracy and Good Goverance Practices.”

Project Goal: The ultimate goal of this project is to strengthen the Capacity of SAF-Teso to deliver its Core Mandate of expanding the Grassroot CSOs Space for Democracy and Good Goverance Activism and HRDs advocacy voice for Safety and Protection through 5 P’s (“Prevention, Provision, Promotion, Prosecution, Partnership & Participation”,) as a hub and Architecture for Reducing Human Rights Violations and a buses.

The project Purpose is to promote Good attributes and practices of HRDs such as Community Engagements, Capacity Building, Mediation and use of Media among others.

This project will enable SAF-Teso to build the capacity of grassroot CSO’s and HRDs in rural communities to contribute to the promotion and protection of Human Rights and Fundamental freedoms and strengthening of SAF-Teso capacity to deal with emerging needs of HRDs.

This 7 months project will help to empower the grassroot CSO’s and rural communities to demand and promote Participatory Democracy, Social Accountability, Transparency, Freedom of opinion and Expression, Good Governance, Community awareness/Civic Education and Human Rights for enhanced Local Service Delivery in Local Governments in the Teso Sub-Region.”

The project will help to strengthen the capacity of civil service organizations and Local Governments in the Teso Sub-region. It will help to raise the voices of the citizens in the democratic governance in the Teso Sub-Region through empowerment of citizens and strengthening of individual, civic organizations’ capacity and other stakeholders to demand political accountabilities

SAF-Teso as a good track record since 2009 for promoting and contributing to the achievement of transparent and accountablemanagement of public resources. One of the aspects on which SAF-Teso will specifically focus, is on promoting the engagement of non-stateactors (Civil society, grassroots organisations, private sector. Previously, SAF-Teso has organised high level discussions, workshops and seminars and developed knowledge and guidance on key issues relatedto governance in the Teso sub-region, opening up a new forum for dialogue between various stakeholders, including local governments,private sector, civil society, academics, and media.

SAF-Teso is emerging as a lead local institution with the program frameworks that promotes grassroots participation and generates impetus to conscious and sustained engagements by the majority of local people, particularly the youth and women populace.

Our Philosophy and culture will help to propel advocacy to amplify the voices of pro-democracy CSO’s and individuals in the sub-region and beyond to strengthen their capacity to hold their Local governments accountable.

Community Led Interventions Project for Promoting Sustainable Drug Prevention Initiatives (CLIP).

SAF-Teso is the leading local Organisation promoting the voice of drug use and Substance Prevention in the Teso Sub-Region and beyond. We Network with partners to reach out to Children, Young People, and Universal Populations so that our synergies deliver effective prevention programs. The Project will promote and offer Prevention, Education, Treatment, Recovery and Reintegration services for the universal populations and drug users. SAF-Teso promotes Community Led Interventions, Advocacy and Public Education Awareness on Drug Prevention with special focus on children.

The theory change for this project will provide 5 P’s: Prevention, Provision, Promotion, Prosecution and Partnership& Participation. These project developed will provide a comprehensive plan addressing education (Awareness), healthcare (treatment + Counselling), social welfare (outreach programs, health camps) and Law & Enforcement (Police) needs to be brought together under the Government initiative so as to address all the aspects of Illicit Drugs use and Substance abuse, drug addiction in young people/youth (Children) and adult populations’ which has resulted in to many social, Health and Economic associated burdens and problems and have led to many incidences of Human Rights abuses , domestic violence, Gender Based Violence and sexuality violence in the Teso Sub-Region and beyond.

The ultimate Goal of this project is to Build and strengthen Community Led Initiatives and Resilience for Enhancing Ordinary Citizenry Voice, Accountability and Effective Advocacy and Activism for Prevention and Supply Reduction of Illicit Drugs for use and Substance abuse among Children, Teenagers, Adolescents and Universal Populations in the Teso Sub-Region and beyond.

SAF-Teso will undertake to promote and create awareness to the universal populations that illicit drug consumption is costly to both the user and Government (State), major cause of accidents, dissocial behaviours, Unemployment, academic failure and school dropout, crime, Domestic Violence, Mental illness, Low life Satisfaction, Lost Opportunity and Reduced Productivity, and other Health, Social and Economic Risks and problems associated with drug use and substance abuse.

SAF-Teso promotes stakeholders meetings, partners breakfast meetings, sub-regional and national advocacy and activism for supply and demand reduction, we popularise existing local, national, regional and International legislative drug policies, UNGASS, UNODC and other National, Regional and International Mechanisms.

Prevention.

In order to prevent and curb down the growing menace of illicit drug use and substance abuse among young people, SAF-Teso will use one theory of Change “Prevent, Don’t Promote,” through conducting multi-sectoral stakeholders social and Public Advocacy Campaigns , Public Education and Sensitizations of grassroot, urban and peri-urban communities within Teso sub-region and beyond. SAF-Teso promotes community based strategies to reach the large populations and Institutions (we target communities, families, schools, work places, more focus on Children and Youth), awareness education in all the grass root communities and families will help to empower rural holds in the protection and prevention of drug use and substance abuse among young people.

SAF-Teso promotes information, knowledge and skills about effective policy and practice, access to the services, news, research, resources and events. SAF-Teso together with partners undertake raising awareness about preventing drug use through

Drug supply reduction:

We focus on reducing the supply of drugs by engaging those who cultivate and provide the drugs. SAF-Teso whistle blows information to the police department in charge Narcotics and Drug Trafficking.

Drug demand reduction:

SAF-Teso pushes for the reduction of demand through various education and prevention strategies aimed at making the potential user less likely to use or become involved with problematic, harmful or illegal drug use.

Rehabilitation, Recovery and Social Integration:

SAF-Teso plays a central and pivotal role of linking the drug users and substance abusers to the service providers to help them with comprehensive support services the drug users are helped and reintegrated to their communities.

SAF-Teso empowers the children and youth to know the importance of drug prevention and positive youth Development, we encourage them to keep off the streets and prevent them from being attracted to a lifestyle that involves alcohol and drug misuse and gang activity.

The project aims to encourage and empower children and youth to be the agents of change within their social environment.

Provision.

SAF-Teso works in partnership with CSOs ,Private Organisations and Government Institutions that offer comprehensive services to the drug users and consumers , the services we provide focus on Demand and Supply Reduction of drugs, together with our partners we are able to offer prevention Treatment, Psycho-Social Therapy/Counselling services, Care, Support, Recovery & Rehabilitation services to the drug users and substance abusers/drug addiction mainly in youth, young people/children and universal population.

Prosecution.

SAF-Teso will promote public private partnerships with law enforcement agencies(Police and Judiciary) to ensure that the perpetrators who commit domestic violence and murders on women and children after consuming illicit drugs do not escape the law and victims are given justice, SAF-Teso, will work closely with the police departments at the sub-counties and parishes and Local councils to ensure that those who commit horrendous acts of violence against women and children are brought to justice and child marriage and child pregnancies are mitigated in the Teso sub-region.

Promotion.

SAF-Teso with partners, local governments will promote community advocacy campaigns, focus groups discussions, community dialogue meetings to empower the masses to stand up for children’s and women’s rights, eliminate drug and substance abuse among children and young people. SAF-Teso will hold community campaigns to raise awareness of children’s and women’s rights and conducts research to generate data which will be used as basis for implementation. SAF-Teso will work together with partners to increase knowledge, engagement, and participation the schools, landing sites and public places about urgent need to end illicit drug use and substance abuse among adult populations and young people which has led them to commit Violence against women and children.

Through this project, SAF-Teso will involve the Young people, parents and families, Adolescents, prevention practitioners, policy makers and general public to prevent drug use and substance abuse because it impacts negatively to the social health and economic progress of the individuals, State and communities

SAF-Teso will promote the opportunities to incubate and pilot new ideas for increasing access to information on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse among young people/Children, and Universal Populations.

SAF-Teso will put information on both electronic and hard copy of Images, Graphics and Videos of Young People/Teenagers who by and large are engaged in alcohol and drug consumption especially in the most rural parts in the Teso Sub-Region.

SAF-Teso will promote evidence-based discussions, having a slide presentation with documentary, photographic and video recordings for youth and children who are consuming these illicit drugs, alcohol and other poisons chemicals and also pictures of gardens in the grassroot communities used for planting these illicit drugs.

SAF-Teso for over five years as been having anti drugs and alcohol community campaigns’, preventing drug and alcohol use among teenagers ,we will be sharing with the communities True Life Stories (Testimonies) of Parents, Relatives and Communities in the Teso Sub-Region who have badly been injured by this vice of drug addiction.

SAF-Teso will promote the Illicit Drug and alcohol Prevention activities to among schools, parents, families, churches sports clubs, university, carry out media campaigns, Community awareness, Advocacy on drug policy, net work to link users in to Rehabilitation services, treatments, re-socialization, self-support groups, Forum on family, next of kin support,Fundraising, HIV, hepatitis prevention activies among others.

Dissemination and sharing of Information:

SAF-Teso will target to reach diverse audiences using effective communication mechanisms, Documentation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Case and policy advocacy, media and press work, and capacity building missions to share the theory of change, focus on building and strengthening partnerships to reduce the vice and cult in the Teso Sub-Region and Uganda at large.

We will promote Risk factors locally here in the Teso Sub-Region (Early Aggressive Behaviour, lack of Parental Supervision/Family Bonding between Parents and Children, Substance Abuse, Drug Availability and Poverty!) us being among the key drivers of drug promoters rather than preventers.

Visibility:

The Information about Drug and Alcohol use among young people will be published on SAF-Teso web-sites, newsletters, media releases, videos, feedback surveys. I plan to make tours and outreaches to the following Human Rights and Democracy Organisations; Centre for Constitutional Rights, Citizens Justice Association, Rights, Office, United Nations Security Council, United Nations Human Rights Council, United Nations Commission on Human Rights ,International Criminal Court, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, UNESCO, United Nations Parliamentary Assembly about the current Situation in Uganda today particularly in the Teso Sub-Region which has got engulfed in Drug and Alcohol abuse, many people ,youth and Children are consuming these illicit substances’ and chemicals as a result of Poverty, unemployment among youth and low incomes among many grassroot communities .

Yes, SAF-Teso being a Human Rights Advocacy Organisation, will continue with it is core objective of increasing net working systems in the fight against drug abuse in the region and country at large, promoting civic education in the community and schools about dangers of illicit drugs consumption among youth, children and even among the adults, Increase radio talk shows and community leaders’ engagement on the fight against drug abuse.

SAF-Teso will empower the large segments of the grassroot and urban communities’, increase net working with schools and information sharing, design, print and publish information education materials (posters, spot messages, Radio Jingles and Drama series).

SAF-Teso will hold quarterly consultative meetings with various stakeholders, hold sub-regional, regional and national campaigns on alcohol and drug Prevention, hold quarterly mass media campaigns to prevent illicit drug use among the youth and children, SAF-Teso will conduct monthly Community Awareness/Mobilization.

SAF-Teso will lead campaign to become a model organisation in the entire country to develop a Communication Centre/Platform and a hub for Developing and disseminating information through forming community networks, and alliances within and out of the region

SAF-Teso will lead Public Advocacy campaigns’ with relevant stake holders such as the security and community representatives to improve the adjudication of cases related to illicit drug consumption. SAF-Teso will submit requests and proposals to secure funding to be able to participate in world forums against drug abuse and other events aimed at curbing drug abuse.

SAF-Teso will use available locally generated resources and secured grants to hold mass community civic education campaigns on the health effects of drug abuse and measures to curb the vice. SAF-Teso will train and increase the capacity of the security organs, community leaders and the business community to reduce the habit of drug abuse and investigate on the source and suppliers to vulnerable children and the youth. Engage the victims in rehabilitation process and introduction of entrepreneurship programs as an immediate solution to the victims. Alternative to violence approach will also be used to bring the ardent/addicted youth.

SAF-Teso will organise and conduct so many skills based conferences , Seminars, trainings and workshops in Alcohol and Drug Prevention, Democracy and Social Accountability and Transparency and Human Rights Promotion among the different stakeholders i.e. parents, boys, girls, schools, communities, duty bearers like the LCs, Police, Judiciary and any other law enforcement officers in preventing, GBV/DV, sexual violence and Child abuse and Neglect.

SAF-Teso in all her work plans and budgets will incorporate Drug and alcohol Prevention in, similarly, we will engage local Governments (Parishes and Sub-Counties to incorporate Drug and Alcohol Prevention programmes in their quarterly and annual work plans and Budgets. SAF-Teso will help to empower grassroot women and girls to demand for their right to protection against human rights abuse

Through this project, the knowledge and skills learnt for will be used forimproving the coordination and effectiveness with partners fighting against drug abuse in the country and the region, Educating parents and other care givers, teachers, coaches, clergy, health professionals, and business and community leaders to help youth reject illegal drugs and underage alcohol and tobacco use, Creating partnerships with the media, entertainment industry, and professional sports organizations to avoid the glamorization, condoning, or normalization of illegal drugs and the use of alcohol and tobacco by youth, Advocating and promote community by-laws and policies against use of drugs by the youth in school, workplace, and community, Encouraging and assist the development of community coalitions and programs in preventing drug abuse and underage alcohol and tobacco use, Pursuing a vigorous advertising and public communications program dealing with the dangers of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use by youth.

Partnership and Participation.

SAF-Teso will strengthen community based organizations, schools clubs, women leaders, youth associations, children’s clubs, local resident staffs, local leaders, the police, teachers and all stakeholders at local, national, regional and International levels to prevent, Don’t Promote Initiatives.

Many developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, such as Uganda, are faced with icebergs of pervasive and plaques of young people consuming illicit drugs and alcohol and in Teso many have been abandoned and such children are sleeping in the streets of town and all upcoming urban centres

They call them Street Children and they spend all their life consuming illicit drugs and alcohol, they are faced with hunger, high disease burdens, extreme and crippling poverty, poor hygiene and healthy practices, social exclusion, systemic deprivation, unemployment, severe malnutrition, inadequate skills.

The Local Governments in Uganda are faced with a strand of weaknesses to design an appropriate Projects /Programs and poverty reduction strategies and these has contributed many children and young people to consume Illicit Drugs . All the above have curtailed the development of empowerment programs to rehabilitate the young people in the Teso Sub-region in Uganda at large.

It’s my strong desire that for the realization of sustainable Prevention and Empowerment programs targeting young people, Illicit Consumption of Drugs and Alcohol by Young People and Children globally should be treated as “extremism”, “terrorism” and must be fought and condemned by all.

To spur this crusade to ensure an end to illicit use of drugs and alcohol in young people and children, we must all blossom and engage young people and children in economic growth, small scale farming, micro-credit services, and entrepreneurship and skills development projects and programs and all Must Act to end Child abuse and Neglect because this exposes and forces them to commit horrendous acts to survive, they become ”brainwashed and indoctrinated.”

As a Human Rights Defender Teso Sub-Region, Social Worker, Social Activists, National Trainer of Trainees for Democracy and Good Governance and National Trainer for VAS+D Supplements, also working in Serere District Local Government as a Senior Assistant Secretary/Sub-County Chief Atiira Lower Local Government and representing SAF-Teso, a member of WFAD ,I will be able to continue with Public Advocacy Campaigns ,runs and jogs with different stakeholders and partnerships with local governments to draw bi-laws and ordnances for illicit drug and alcohol prevention .

Through SAF-Teso Human Rights and Social Justice Programs , we will be able to train and mentor Youth, women and local citizenry to be effective advocates, Human Rights Defenders, change agents, peace brigades, Community Barometers, whistle blowers , amplifiers, and monitors of Drug ,Alcohol and Substance abuse ,SAF-Teso will involve various stakeholders ,grassroot CSOs for widening Space for ending drug and alcohol consumption among young people ,different Communication strategies, Drug education /Public Advocacy will be used disseminate and reach wide segments of the society.

SAF-Teso will continue supporting, strengthening and empowering grassroot CSOs and young people to stop taking illicit drugs and alcohol because these are a threat to their lives. The situation is worse for children and a majority of households in the Teso Sub-Region are living in extreme poverty and all these are abuses linked to the social norms and inequalities as drivers! There are several factors which continue to hinder effective implementation of laws and policies to promote alcohol and drug prevention among them are; inadequate resources, low capacity and motivation of duty bearers (police, judiciary and Civil Society Organizations) on preventing and responding to child abuse, child marriage, early pregnancies violence against women and children.

At the community levels at the grass roots, there are weak systematic reporting and referral mechanisms which means children, caregivers and communities might be reluctant to report incidents that happen There is limited awareness among children, community members and even duty bearers on children’s rights, their roles in child protection as well as on the negative impacts of child marriage, and early pregnancy. In regard to teen pregnancies and reproductive health rights, there are access and utilisation challenges for young people.

There is therefore need for an integrated project to stop child sexual abuse by all stakeholders for an effective collective voice to address gaps in prevention, promotion and prosecution related intervention strategies. The Research and baseline data records have shown that Domestic Violence, Gender Based Violence and Sexual Violence on women and children are major drivers contributing too many young people today in the Teso taking illicit Drugs and alcohol. Secondly young people are engaged in chronic drug and alcohol consumption because of the Poverty and unemployment.

SAF-Teso will publish and promote the information for the prevention campaigns, using the various Communication tools, Research and outreach, publications of information on print and Social Networks, Supporting Youth and Women driven-Citizens’ Forums of drug and alcohol consumption prevention campaigns ,Community Barazas, debates, Dialogues, Civic Education, trainings, Media and Public Advocacy, organizing Local events, workshops, and conferences , Networking and provision of materials and knowledge for skills in areas of demand-side driven Drug Prevention campaigns .

The approach of SAF-Teso for this project will eventually lead to engagement of various actors and Empowerment of Grassroot CSO’s, Coalitions, Alliances and Community Networks established for illicit Drug prevention, Human Rights, Good Governance and Pro-Democracy Advocacy clubs in the schools to act as models and a stimulus for sustaining Democracy in action and attainment of Sustainable Equitable Development.

SAF-Teso Human Rights and Social Justice program will help in forming Community Networks ,Coalitions and Alliances for Empowering Ordinary Citizens to Advocate and end Human Rights Violations and abuses , illicit alcohol and drug use especially among young people and children, Corruption and Extreme Inequalities and other forms of Vices tearing the Fabric of Service Delivery. “Strengthening Grassroot CSOs Coalitions for Expanding Democratic Governance and Enhancing Multi-stakeholders Advocacy Engagement for Human Rights Activism” will be cornerstones for curbing illicit drug use in youth and children.

The conferences and future tours if given an opportunity will be of benefit to me , SAF-Teso, network partners and Uganda as large follows: building partnerships as a cornerstone for cooperation to share values, aims and policies, Education and awareness , Campaigning and Lobbying for direct assistance to support SAF-Teso Human Rights and Good Governance activities, building knowledge and learning , collecting accurate information about Human Rights and Democracy practices in the world, strengthen research skills, education, stimulate public information on international legal frame works, and advocacy engagements with global community and fostering cross cultural understanding and solidarity and to inform diverse audiences on Human Rights issues in Uganda.

These tours will provide opportunities for me to share best practices and deepen relationships with national and regional actors because I will engage in case and policy advocacy, media and press work, and capacity building missions while in the International Symposiums’

Summary of Partnership Activities:

· Social and Public Advocacy

· Research, Data Collection, Assessments for Policy Advocacy

· Joint Press production

· Linkage Collaboration

· After care Service

· Human Rights Defending

· Public Education Awareness

· Proborno /Legal aid services

· Trial inspections and Monitoring

· Child Rights Protection Advocacy

· Referrals

· Economic Empowerment Initiatives

· Publicity on both Print, Social and Electronic Media

· Net working, Lobbying and Resource Mobilisation

· Trainings/Capacity Building /Skills Enhancement targeting universal populations

· Conferences ,workshops and International Missions

· HIV/AIDS HCT/VCT Services

· Community outreaches

· Peer Education;

· Vocational Skills Education Sponsorships/Bursaries/Sponsorships

· Treatment, Rehabilitation, Recovery and Social Integration

· Health Education/Mental and Reproductive Health Education

· Talent/Art and Skills Development among young people and Children

· International Volunteer Placement and Cooperation

· Ministry/In church Ministry Outreaches

Project Title: “Gender Equality, Culture Promotion, Advocacy and Human Rights Education Project for Ending Violence against Women and Children.”

Summary of the Project:

This project is about Promoting Human Rights Education, Gender Equality, Culture Promotion, Advocacy and Legal Redress to end Violence against women and Children in Kadungulu Sub-County Serere District. The project will involve training different participants mainly women as Human Rights Defenders, a conference, a 4 days’ workshop and event public galas and campaigns, rallies and Music festivals, Human Rights Education and Advocacy Community Barazas as means of passing and disseminating Human Rights Information to end rampant and overwhelming cases of Gender based Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual violence ,child abuse and neglect received and recorded daily in the Sub-County, over 20 cases of Human rights Violations and abuses are logged daily largely because men live polygamous lives, use incomes from landing sites/fishing activities as a means and a hub for Commercial sex trade and in the end they abandon their official wives , many women are killed and children are abandoned.

Beneficiaries of the Project

Sexually abused women and children, children and women as victims of Gender Based Violence, Domestic Violence and Girls who drop out of school as a result of early pregnancies. “Violence against Women and Children is violation of the right to life, liberty and personal safety.”

The project intends to benefit a total of 500 in school girls and 1000 out of school girls and over 15,000 women and 5,000 men with SRHR and Child care services by the end of the project within one year of implementation.

Principal Goals and major impacts of the Project and how they are measured.

This project focuses on four main result areas of;

1. Attainment of increased Human rights Education to promote Human rights and Social Justice

2. Increased knowledge about Human Rights Education and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights;

3. Adoption of legal and Justice Systems to end endemic and exothermic forms of Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Early Pregnancies, early school drop outs and Social Inequalities and Gender Inequalities;

4. Gender Inclusive Rights Based Approach (GI-RBA) adopted and integrated to mitigate the current overwhelming cases related to HIV/AIDS prevalence, Gender based violence, Domestic violence, early child pregnancies, child abuse and neglect, sexual violence on women and children, early school dropout rates among young people (boys and girls) in Kadungulu Sub-County associated to the presence of landing sites which are a hub for Commercial sex Trade and fishing activities.

What are the contents of your education programmes?

Social and Public Advocacy, Women Activism, Human Rights, Good Governance and Democracy Promotion, Health Education, Human Rights Education, Gender Equality, Women and Leadership, Women’s empowerment, Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), Hygiene and Sanitation, Family planning, HIV/AIDS, Human Rights Violations and abuses-Domestic violence, Gender Based Violence, Women and Power, Gender Mainstreaming.

Do you cooperate with local authorities and institutions? If yes, how?

Partner Organisations:

Within Uganda we have established partnerships with local and national organisations in order to link our projects to create a more effective service to our communities. We are interested in building new partnerships here in Uganda and also internationally in order to form strong alliances, enabling us to learn from each other and develop our individual approaches to make positive changes to both organisations. We particularly seek support in the areas of funding, training opportunities, lobbying and advocacy, fund raising, and our Volunteer Program. We have a separate full list of our partners.

Networking, Advocacy, Partnership and Collaboration with Local, National, Regional and International Development Partners

SAF-Teso Local and International Partners

· World Federation Against Drugs(WFAD) for illicit drug prevention among teenagers & children

· Vitamins Angels USA for VAS+D Supplements’

· Starkey Hearing Foundation USA- for Hearing Devices for the visually impaired persons

· UMCOR HEALTH for HIV/AIDS Prevention;

· Uganda UK Health Alliance (UUKHA) for Governance and Leadership Training, improving health service delivery

· National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda(NCHRDU) for Human Rights Defenders protectionism and safety programmes

· Uganda Community Based Health Financing Association( UCBHFA) for Health Insurance Schemes

· The Human Rights Centre Uganda(HRCU) for Human Rights Defenders Protection

UN-Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for Human Rights promotion

· Uganda Human Rights Commission Soroti Regional Office for Human Rights promotion

· International Volunteers from Europe,Canada,Africa, Asia ,Caribbean, & USA for International Volunteer Placement

· NGO Market Place for CSOs promotion

· Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Uganda –Democracy and Human Rights Initiatives

SAF-Teso Partnership for Democracy Programs:

SAF-Teso will partner with the local, regional, national and international Human Rights and Democracy based Organisations and agencies at all levels which fosters the development of democratic culture through innovation change processes socio -political and economic level. SAF-Teso will work to help generate more citizenship, encourage and promote local actors in the territory towards sustainable local development, in the framework of strengthening the democratic process and to work in sectors such as promotion and local development, business development, education, training human resources, governance and support for strengthening the democratic rule of law.

This project will highlight four things. How to get involved in the “fight for democratization” secondly, How to promote good governance and anti-corruption efforts in Local Governments systems in Uganda. Thirdly, what “We, the People” can do to improve Uganda’s position in the fight for democratic good governance. And fourthly, to examine the role of civil society organizations such as the media and the various non-governmental organizations in mobilizing us effectively for this fight.

https://promosaik.blogspot.com.tr/2017/02/saf-teso-in-uganda-promoting.html