CARE International In Uganda

🎉 Celebrating Success! 🎉 We are excited to announce the graduation of the third cohort of the #WomenShine Program, a transformative mentorship journey made possible through a strong partnership between CARE International In Uganda and @Girls for Girls! 🌟 Over the past 12 months, our inspiring participants have developed their skills, and gained significant confidence crucial for leadership roles. With guidance from exceptional leaders, they will continue to champion CARE's core values and prepare themselves for meaningful careers, ready to shine in their respective fields. Congratulations to all graduates💪, your dedication to personal growth and excellence is truly inspiring! Esther Nampijja Emilly Babirye Peace Kaahwa (PMP)®PMI® (ATP) Kyeru Racheal Zahara Ismail Dorothy Rutazaana ACCA, MBA, PMDPRO Lillian Mpabulungi Cotilda Nakyeyune David Manyonga

📢 CARE International In Uganda participated in the National High-level Policy Dialogue on the State of Foods and Nutrition in Uganda today, October 18, 2024. This event was organized as part of the 2024 National World Food Day Celebrations. The dialogue included presentations and panel discussions focused on the state of the agri-food system in Uganda, addressing topics such as the right to food, dietary diversity, and food and nutrition security. Several speakers have been invited to discuss these important issues. The Uganda Demographic Health Survey 2022 reveals that: ➡️ 24%  of those under 5 are stunted, 3.2% wasted, and 3.4% are overweight. ➡️ 53% of the children and 32% of women of reproductive age suffer from anemia. ➡️ Children under 5, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, the sick, and the elderly are facing challenges of both undernutrition and overnutrition, Through the #CASCADEProject, CARE is working with GOU-MOH to implement the #MYCAN strategy and the National planning Authority alongside the Ministry of Local Government to strengthen planning & financing /resourcing for Nutrition to improve food and nutrition security in Uganda, particularly women and children. #WorldFoodDay2024 #FoodSecurity #Nutrition #CascadeInAction Immaculate Daisy Yossa Edton Babu  

#NakivaleRefugee Settlement, located in Isingiro is one of Uganda's oldest, hosting 171,387 refugees from various countries, including the DRC, Burundi, and Somalia. Ongoing conflicts in the DRC lead to new arrivals. The Emergency Food Assistance in Nakivale #EFAN project funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been providing #emergency #food #assistance to over 900 newly arriving #households in Rubondo and Zuru zones in Nakivale, enhancing immediate food security of the vulnerable through food/commodity voucher system This has been ensuring that families—many of whom are #women, children, #PWDs #child-headed, persons living with chronic illnesses, and the elderly—receive the necessary resources to survive and start rebuilding their lives. #EFAN's #localization approach has been crucial to the project's effectiveness, working with national actors Andre Foods International and refugee-led organization TUMAINI for Refugee Women ( TRW ) and local vendors to ensure food supplies are sourced from within the community. This approach not only aids people on the move but also strengthens local economies and partner capacities. As we concluded the project today, we reflected on how #EFAN has supported countless families during their most challenging times, highlighting the power of collaborating with communities to provide lasting assistance. 💡 What went well: ✅ Working with local partners under a locally-led approach. ✅Flexibility in implementation. ✅Capacity strengthening of local actors and vendors. ✅Timely disbursement of funds to local partners and vendor payments. ✅Good collaboration. ✅Quality food provided by vendors. ⁉️ What didn't work well: ❇️ Short implementation funding period. ❇️Failure to target households with only one family member and households. from the base camp zone. 💊 Recommendations: - ➡️ Increase the number of target participants ➡️Scale up the food voucher system and eliminate double assistance ➡️ Provide long-term support ➡️Pay extra attention to child-headed households to ensure that the food reaches them. #LocalPartnerships #FoodSecurity #Inclusion #CapacityBuilding #Empowerment #SDGs #Localization #CommunityImpact

Reshaping the adoption of the FFBS model: CARE Uganda and Busitema University Partnership. Over the past 2 days, CARE and Busitema University leadership engaged in discussions to reshape the pathways for adoption of the Farmer Field Business School in the University Curriculum. The FFBS strategy aims to transform agriculture and market systems through utilising five complementary strategies such 1) scaling and adapting proven models, 2) advocating for policy and program changes, promoting shifts in discriminatory social and gender norms, 3) strengthening service systems and social accountability, and 4) implementing inclusive market-based approaches. Key reflections focused on plans for curriculum adoption, research, advocacy, documentation and learning for the FFBS scale-up. Apollo B. Gabazira; David Manyonga;Michael Tugyetwena;Gabriel A.;Michael A. OPIO;Abinet Tasew Sitotaw; Alice Nakiyemba;Norah Namono

We are happy to announce the successful completion of the joint donor monitoring visit by Embassy of Denmark in Uganda #UNFPAUganda and the #SAYProgramme Annual Review Meeting in Adjumani District. 🔎 Key Outcomes: 🔍 🎯 Strengthened Coordination emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration among implementing partners, local governments, cultural and political leaders to address #SRHR and #GBV challenges in #refugee-hosting communities. 🎯Amplified Youth Voices highlighting the importance of youth involvement in shaping the future of #SRHR services. 🔎Identified priorities areas for action include:🔍 🎯Dissemination of visual messages at all health facilities, 🎯Support regional referral sites handling POCs at Arua, Gulu and Yumbe 🎯Secondment of critical cadres like pediatricians and obstetricians in Kitgum, Moyo, and Adjumani General Hospitals 🎯Reducing teenage pregnancy among young people, 🎯Address drug abuse among young people 🎯Inclusion of #PWDs in addressing #SGBV. 🎯Addressing cultural barriers to increase the uptake of SRHR services. 🔎Lessons Learned:🔍 💊 How critical youth and community-led efforts are in sustaining progress. 💊The role of cultural leaders, and political leaders in influencing uptake of #SRHR services. 💊Tailored messages for different audiences regarding SRHR. We extend our sincere thanks to the #RoyalDanishEmbassy, #UNFPA, #districtleaders in the West Nile region, and all implementing partners Naguru Teenage Center 🟢 #Mariestopes Uganda and national actors @THRIVEGulu CEFORD for their support. Together, we have established a strong foundation for the future. The #SAYProgramme will continue providing inclusive, accessible, and quality #SRHR services to young people in the West Nile and Acholi sub-regions. Miriam Oyet Lillian Mpabulungi Aramanzan Madanda Norah Namono

🔎 #SAYProgramme Annual Review Meeting🔎 After a successful two-day donor mission in Moyo, the #SAYProgramme Stakeholders officially began this year's annual review meeting in Adjumani this morning. This review aims to evaluate the progress of the #SAYProgramme, which is funded by the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda through @UNFPA in Uganda. The #SAYProgramme brings together CARE International In Uganda, Marie Stopes Uganda, Naguru Teenage Center 🟢, and national actors THRIVEGulu CEFORD and the DLGs in West Nile, all working collaboratively to improve the lives of young people in refugee-hosting districts. Districts shared lessons learned and best practices on: 📌Adolescent health-responsive programming by Lamwo District, 📌Delivering high-impact #SRHR/GBV interventions within the Humanitarian & Development Nexus for the #youth by Obongi District, 📌Sustaining National GBV databases by Kitgum District, 📌Increasing uptake of SRHR services and Economic Empowerment opportunities for the youth by Moyo District, and 📌Promoting uptake and use of #FamilyPlanning among young people by Adjumani District. These sessions demonstrated the program’s collaborative spirit 🤝and commitment to long-term sustainability. Emerging issues included the need to address: ↔️Culturally sensitive language to ensure the program is contextually relevant. ↔️The alarming rise in drug abuse among young people in the region ↔️Ensuring access to accurate #SRHR information. ↔️Promoting the proper use and safe disposal of condoms within communities. 🌟 To address these challenges, intentional engagement with cultural and religious institutions will be essential in influencing positive behaviors and improving family planning dynamics. We express our gratitude to the government of Uganda for its open-door policy in supporting refugees and to the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda for its unwavering partnership.💪 Miriam Oyet Lillian Mpabulungi Norah Namono Cinderella Anena

CARE International In Uganda proudly celebrates colleagues who have reached their 5-year milestone with us 🎉🎉. Your dedication, passion, and commitment have driven our mission forward. Each of you has contributed to the growth and success of our organization, and we couldn't be prouder of what we've accomplished together. Thank you for your hard work and resilience. Here's to many more years of making an impact and achieving great things together! ✨ Michael A. OPIO

🌍 Stakeholder Visit in Moyo: Strengthening Local Capacity 🌍 Today, we started a two-day visit to Moyo District as part of the SAY Programme. Our delegation, including representatives from #UNFPAUganda, and #RoyalDanishEmbassy in Uganda, visited several SAY-supported groups and structures including #schoolclubs, #womenmentors, and #RMM. The visit aims to: 🔦Appreciate how the SAY program is being implemented and coordinated at the district and sub-county levels. 🔦 Discuss key programmatic and operational challenges faced in delivering services, particularly in #SRHR and #SGBV. 🔦Hear directly from the district leaders and community members on how the program is addressing local needs and building sustainability through localization efforts. The visit highlighted the importance of #localizinginterventions and continuous capacity sharing among #nationalactors ensuring that the SRHR services are responsive to #communityneeds as noted by Moyo LCV District Chairman Williams Anyama. " We are happy to see the district fully engaged in the program. The spirit of partnership is what gives success to this initiative. It's essential that local organizations like CEFORD take the lead, as capacity building and local ownership ensure sustainability." Similarly, @AgnesOcitti from the Danish Embassy said: "We don't want to see CARE but CEFORD doing the work and that is how localization takes place because of capacity strengthening. The local touch should be the strongest". Affirmed Ocitti. The SAY Program is implemented by UNFPA with key partners including CARE International In Uganda, @MarieStopes Uganda, and Naguru Teenage Center 🟢 working to increase access to essential #SRHR services and empower young people. With strong partnerships, committed stakeholders, and a community-driven approach, we are hopeful about the future of #SRHR and #SGBV services in Moyo and other refugee-hosting districts. Lillian Mpabulungi Norah Namono Aramanzan Madanda Miriam Oyet Michael A. OPIO Michael Tugyetwena Apollo B. Gabazira

Earlier today, we had different engagements with the Commissioner Financial Services Department at Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MOFPED) discussing the role of the Ministry in Policy Formulation specially around Saving Groups with the Delegation from the Bank of the Republic of Burundi 🇧🇮, Care Burundi and Care Uganda 🇺🇬. Another meeting with Country Director - Care International- Uganda 🇺🇬 Apollo B. Gabazira , @Melch @ Edton Babu @ Aisha discussing the key learnings of Care Burundi 🇧🇮, the Bank of Republic of Burundi 🇧🇮 staff from UMRA and Care Uganda 🇺🇬. How do civil society organizations complement Government strategies to empower the Women and Girl Child to have an inclusive world through empowering communities. Key takeaways: Leveraging on Partnerships and collaboration among different stakeholders to support financial inclusion and it was indicative in the FinScope report of 2024 that Ugandans 🇺🇬 are relying more on saving groups to meet their financial needs. As UMRA, we formulated SHG Operational Guidelines with an objective of creating safety and soundness in their operations. - Developed an automated registration database for all registered savings groups in Uganda from local governments 🇺🇬 as a result of Care Uganda Support. #Supporting Government strategies through women economic empowerment is creating impactful communities in Uganda 🇺🇬. #Unlocking the potential of different communities for sustainable development. #Financial Inclusion leaving no one behind.

🗞News! News!🗞 We are thrilled to share the details of the #GEARProject after its launch. Find out how CARE and the national partners CEFORD, THRIVEGulu, and @Femintaure will promote #genderequality and economic resilience in communities in northern Uganda and the West Nile regions. You can read all about it on page 25 of today's New Vision. Lillian Mpabulungi