During the meeting, Apollo Gabazira, the CARE Country Director, emphasized the critical role of international organizations in empowering national actors with resources, power, and voice. He stressed the significance of embracing the shift towards locally led development and highlighted the commitment of various organizations to go beyond mere rhetoric and actively support this transition. “Locally led is the thing of the moment. It’s everywhere you look. It has been rhetoric until they tell you to do it. But the signatories (Save the Children, Oxfam, DCA, CRS, FInnAid, World Vision, and CARE) committed to go beyond the rhetoric. We also recognize that giving money and promising to give money are different things being influenced by three ‘CAT factors’; Capacity – sharing, Accountability, and Trust. If we don’t address CAT, localization remains a paper exercise. Hence our interest in deploying QuAM, and I am confident we shall have a solution.” Said Gabazira.

Dr. Isooba Moses, the Executive Director of Uganda National NGO Forum, framed QUAM as a multipurpose tool for enhancing institutional health in the sector. He emphasized the need for QUAM to signify more than just a certificate, stressing the importance of putting words into action and demonstrating readiness for locally led development.
“We are reimagining QUAM that goes beyond a Certificate, but living what this is all about. We need to be fit for purpose if we’re going to take on the mantle of locally-led development. If we are going to be able to take on the mantle of engaging in localization, we need to move from talk. We need to move from rhetoric to action. We need to be able to give guarantees to INGOs and development partners that as national actors, we are fit for purpose. Then we can be able to talk about localization, upholding the subsidiarity principle. Being able to appreciate that national actors are primarily the ones that will find the solution to the problem. And for us to be able to do that, it’s not going to be about talking and asking for direct funding is not going to be asking for militia funding. It’s not going to be asking for unrestricted funding. We must be fit for purpose”. Affirmed Dr Isooba.

Moroto District in Karamoja Sub-region is a semi-arid area and residents’ livelihoods predominantly depend on livestock. However, the quality of the meat consumed on the market has been a big question since the district has had only one slaughterhouse.

According to Dr. Denis Baraza Wabwire, the Moroto District Veterinary Officer, slaughters have always been carried out in the bushes thereby exposing consumers to health risks and causing loss of local revenue to the district.

However, this is set to change following the construction of two slaughterhouses in Rupa and Katikekile Sub-counties that were handed over to Moroto District leaders last week.

The two facilities estimated at Shs52 million were constructed by CARE Denmark and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) under the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), a government of Uganda programme supported by the European Union and supervised by Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

“We have a challenge in Karamoja. Slaughters are done from anywhere in our community. We had only one slaughterhouse in the municipality. Now we have three facilities in the district with the addition of these two by CARE and CRS and for this we are grateful. We thank all partners who contributed towards this facility. Under the animals or public health act, all animals, or any meat to be consumed by the public must be inspected,” Dr. Wabwire explained adding: “Imagine the meat being consumed here is largely slaughtered in a kraal which gives us a hard time to inspect and imposes a risk to the consumers. Our partners have done their work, now the ball is in our hands”.

Mr. George William Wopuwa, the Moroto RDC, who presided over the event, applauded the DINU programme for the support and urged the community to embrace the development.

“Let us support this programme, one way of supporting is to bring the cows and goats to be slaughtered at the facilities and this will reduce theft because the cows that come here have ownership. When you go to steal, you will be exposing your cows too. Therefore, let’s keep and multiply what we so that this place is useful. We thank partners for this work because the district cannot do this alone,” Mr Wopuwa said.

The Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Komakech Oluba Charles said, the illegal slaughters were happening since farmers wanted to evade tax but hopes this will now end.

“The illegal slaughters were being done to avoid small taxes. Apart from the revenue, we hope people consume good meat and not sick animals to avoid diseases. We want to thank DINU. You have done a lot for us. We are also aware that the DINU project is coming to closure, but we have learnt a lot. We had a lot of software on this project, and this has caused impact. However, in Karamoja you need to be a little patient to see a big change,” he said.

Moroto District chairperson David Koryang said DINU intervention has made a big impact on the communities so far.

“The interventions were good, and the participants were able to withstand the hunger crisis. I interacted with some of them, and they said they are continuing with what they learnt even after the project closes. The mind-set of our people has changed,” he said.

It is estimated that more than 300 cows will be slaughtered monthly at the two facilities with a projection of Shs3 million in local revenue for the district.

The slaughterhouses were among the several interventions Implemented by CRS and CARE under the DINU program to support small holder farmers in value addition chain through sustainable market infrastructure chain.

“We did not have such structures before, but the district leaders requested for this structure, and we know they will be responsible for it. Some of the framers have been able to adapt. I hope this structure will help the market to become operational,” said Mr Edward Eko, the DINU focal person in Moroto District.

According to the CRS Nutritional technical team leader Joanita Nagaddya, the slaughterhouses are beneficial to the health of the people, food safety and meat quality.

“We are celebrating this milestone as a district, as a project and as a community,” she said.

CARE International in Uganda Programme Manager for Livelihood Edton Babu Ndyabahika appreciated the district leadership for their cooperation.

“As a lead agency, we value this partnership. We would not have managed if the district was not very cooperative. For any income generating activity, sustainability becomes a key issue and I believe this should not be hard to sustain because it generates income. We also note that the DINU participants were not affected by the hunger crisis, and this is testimony that if the mandate is extended, we can do more.” he said.

Speaking on behalf of CARE Uganda’s Country Director, Tugyetwena pledged support towards Advocacy and Visibility of the Charter for Change (C4C) Working Group in Uganda and CARE’s Commitment to Localization.

“CARE is already committed to Localization with a focus on partnership with mutual respect. As Lead Partner of the APEAL Project, CARE has brought on board a number of local organizations in adherence to the Partnership pillar” said Tugyetwena. He highlighted the lack of integrity, failure to professionalize their operations and the attitude of being contend with average performance as a major challenge to the localization agenda in Uganda and urged members to be keen on these issues and come up with a widely acceptable quality control and feedback framework for local NGOs.

Unable to afford charcoal, Foibe like other women, would walk 5-10 kilometers to fetch firewood from Bugoma forest once a week as allocated by authorities. According to her, the amount collected is never enough to complete an entire week forcing her to buy charcoal which is expensive.

She Feeds the World case success stories

Below are two women whose involvement in the programme helped them break barriers and step into leadership positions within their homes and communities. In 2021, 96 women ran for public office for the first time, and 64 won the positions they were contesting. “This demonstrates that removing barriers to leadership for women can help them achieve success and contribute to creating more diverse, equitable and inclusive societies,” concludes Adari.

Jenifer Atuhaire and Agnes Isingoma challenged gender stereotypes and roles by standing for political office in their communities. They both overcame many hurdles, including convincing their respective husbands that they could run and possibly win. Here are their stories.

Jenifer Atuhaire

Through the leadership workshops offered by SFtW, Jenifer gained tools which helped build her confidence and realise her self-worth. At the same time, Jenifer’s husband took part in one of SFtW’s “Male Action Groups,” aimed at improving gender relations within households.

As a result of her new-found confidence and encouragement from her husband, who now supports her professional pursuits as a result of the Male Action Group, Jenifer ran for the Councillor position in her area during the Ugandan General Elections earlier this year, she won and was elected as a Councillor for the 2021 to 2026 term.

Agnes and Pius Isingoma

Agnes and Pius, a couple living in Western Uganda improved their marriage through the support and training they received from SFtW’s various initiatives, including one run for men and boys called “Role Model Men” (RMM).

This programme teaches participants about gender equality and empowers them to challenge harmful gender norms in their communities. As an RMM participant, Pius learnt how to let go of patriarchal beliefs and practices that prevented Agnes from pursuing her goals.

Between gaining more support from her husband and a sense of empowerment from the leadership training, Agnes ran for a Councillorship position during this year’s elections. She also won and is now a public office holder.

About the PepsiCo Foundation

Established in 1962, the PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we are focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at https://www.pepsico.com/our-impact/philanthropy/pepsico-foundation.

About CARE International

Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. In Uganda, CARE was established in 1969 and has a long history of implementing humanitarian and development projects, responding to the most urgent needs of conflict and disaster-affected populations, assisting the most vulnerable persons with a particular focus on women and girls, and building resilient communities. CARE currently reaches over 800,0000 people annually in Uganda. In support of CARE’s Vision 2030 and Uganda’s National Development Plan, CARE provides critical protection prevention and response, gender transformative, climate justice and livelihoods programs across the country. https://www.careuganda.org

Between 15th and 17th March 2021, he interacted with several leaders at the helm of DINU programme including the District Local Government officials, DINU Consortium partners, Office of the Prime Minister and project participants.

His message was consistent throughout his visit, revolving around three aspects which include; the configuration of the DINU program, partnership as a key lever for sustainability and the unique market approach in DINU.

“I am calling upon the people to learn from DINU’s market approach, where smallholder farmers go to the market without middlemen, and are able to trade. As CARE, the use of extension staff, is part of our sustainability framework because we also know that one-day CARE will leave and let Ugandans take care of themselves. I would like to thank the District Local Government leadership, without the district’s permission and support, DINU would not be here today”. Said Apollo.

While in Soroti, Apollo interacted with SORUDA’s Executive Director, Peter Ochepa Ekiru and handed him a copy of CARE’s new Business Plan that spells out CARE’s strategic direction for the next five years. Apollo said that “You are certainly one of our critical partners, and while I sign your contracts back in Kampala, it’s good to come and see what is on the ground. We are a values-driven organisation and issues of integrity are important to us. As a women and girls’ focused entity, we ask whether in everything you do, the women and girls facet come out”