Unjust Land Laws Driving Inequality in Uganda, and Biodiversity Degradation

BY Sharon Kyatusiimire

A report by Oxfam Uganda has shown that more Ugandans especially the rural poor, women and the youths are increasingly losing their rights overland, a thing that is pushing them further into poverty and hence worsening inequality between the rich and the poor.

According to the report titled 'Locked Out', the poor population, young people and women most of whom live in rural areas has been locked out from enjoying their land rights.Land disputes according to the report stem from the post-colonial land laws and the available policies have failed to effectively deal with perpetual land questions.

Speaking at the official launch that happened at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on recently, the state Minister for Lands, Persis Namuganza said because of the increasing population, this has exerts much pressure on land  and other Biodiversity’s resources in the Country   which has resulted into land disputes and Environmental degradation.

Minister Namuganza making  speech during the Launch of the Report 

The Minister explained that those with less power on lands across the country have been forced to encroach on gazetted Biodiversity such Forest’s, wetlands and in turn this has big negative impact on the country’s Environment.

“Some of those people you see encroaching on wetlands, destroying the country’s forest are there because of inequality in the land ownership that is why we are experiencing  some floods in some parts of the country because of Land Injustices which most people especially the rural poor are expiring” She explained.  

   

She added that the Government is doing everything to tighten the Land Laws to offer protection for the vulnerable groups.

"At the moment we have over 43m people, by 2030, the population will be 50m and 100m by 2050. The land of Uganda has remained constant hence the need to put in place laws and regulations that will ensure effective use of this limited land for all Ugandans," she said

The Oxfam Country Director Edward Mwebaze said that there’s a huge gap between the poor and the rich according to the recent researches done by the organisation in 2017.

“The poor are marginalised and many were locked up off their land, paid less or payment delayed. We invite the authorities to come up with clear solutions to deal with the situation,” Mwebaze said.

Between 1996 and 2012 the richest 10% of the population increased their share of national income from 29.9% to 35.7%. On the contrary, the share of the poorest 10% decreased from 3.2% to 2.5%.

Presenting highlights of the report, Dr.Fred Muhumuza from Makerere University  said that people providing paid agricultural labor and people in subsistence farming are more likely to be poor than those whose main income is commercial farming or other non-agricultural enterprise.

Dr. Fred Muhumuza  the Brain behind the Report 

“The use of land also has an impact on households that are not directly dependent on land-based activities. This is through the production of food, export revenues, and industrial production that influence the price levels and value of real income,” Muhumuza said.

He added that the most frequent causes of disputes around land relate to boundaries, rights of way or access (36%), ownership or use (25%), land grabbing (22%) and missing or unclear land titles (4%).

“The inadequacy of land dispute resolution mechanisms is a major contributor to inequality,” he said, adding: “Trust in dispute resolution mechanisms is undermined by interventions of the Office of the President in cases that are already in court.”

Anew Curriculum to boost EAC Hospitality Industry Launched

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO.

The hospitality industry (tourism) in Uganda has got yet another boost from the Booking.Com and EyeOpeneraWorks towards skills development of youth in the East African region.

As East Africa continues to remain the hub for tourists in the African continent, from around the world, it is imperative that those in the field of tourism are equipped with the necessary skills to handle the visitors.

Throughout the continent new hotels and lodges are being built every single day and more and more tourist activities take place, but research has indicated that the staffs in these hotels still, doesn’t match the global standards acceptable to handling foreign visitors.

According to Melodi Tamarzians, the Mango Tree Creative Director, who are implementing for the Curriculum said the programm aimed at  preparing   students for internships and ultimately jobs in these local hotels, lodges, restaurants, and tourist sites.

Martijn Harlaar from the EyeOpenerWorks

with Microphone speaking during the Launch of the programme 

“It is designed to prepare them for a future in the emerging world around them,” she told the press during the Ukarimu Hospitality launch held at the Design Hub, Mango Tree in Kampala on recently.

The curriculum is based on principles of active learning and is a combination of hard and soft skills to inspire young adults with little education and limited options.

Jean Charles de Bievre, the Global Commercial Excellence Manager at Booking.com said the unique course will help them to create skills to be a good employee, how to be a productive member of a team, how to identify a place for themselves in the industry, and how they can set personal goals to prepare for the future. 

Ukarimu is the first open-source curriculum for tourism and hospitality training in Africa.

It is initiated by Mango Tree and EyeOpenerWorks in partnership with a number of grassroots hospitality training institutes, such as the Karamoja Tourism Training Academy and the Rwenzori Tourism Academy in Uganda, and the other tourism training institutes in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.

Martijn Harlaar from the EyeOpenerWorks noted that Youth unemployment is a big problem all over Africa and yet, tourism is growing rapidly.

“Tourism can play an important role by providing meaningful jobs to local youth. Hotels and lodges are interested in employing local youth, but in our  own investigation found found that 9 out of 11 lodges state they are unhappy with the current skills of graduates from hospitality training institutes” He explained

“Ukarimu is freely available for anyone with an interest in training young people in tourism and hospitality (hotels and lodges, NGOs, governments,” he said during the launch.

Ukarimu is an open-source curriculum for tourism and hospitality training, based on principles of active learning and promoting practical sessions. It is the first of its kind in Africa. 

Through short, practical training, students are taught in technical skills, soft skills on customer care and professionalism learn how to operate in the industry, and how to build a career.

Ukarimu is implemented by Mango Tree (MT) and EyeOpenerWorks (EOW), through a process of human-centered design and co-creation.It is developed in collaboration with the Rwenzori Tourism Academy, the Karamoja Tourism Academy and training institutes in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Ukarimu is funded by the sustainability team of Booking.com

Airtel Uganda Launches New Internet Solution, SME,s to benefit

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Uganda’s small and Medium Enterprises that have been spending highly on expensive Internet will have reason to smile after Airtel Uganda’s launched recently  a new Internet solution targeting SME, s and Homes.

The new Solution Airtel Broad band outdoor Internet solution will offer uninterrupted Internet at affordable cost compare to the current solution which the various telecoms are offering to the internet users.

According to the Airtel Uganda Managing  Manager V.G. Somasekhar,  the Airtel Broad Band  Out door  which is fixed Internet devices has the ability  to connect  32 internet powered  devices this makes it conducive to  Homes and SME,s.

Airtel Uganda Managing Director Somasekhar Handing over new brand Airtel Braod Band Devices to the Minister Michael Werikhe Kafabusa.

“The solution is ideal for businesses particularly SMEs that need a reliable, fast internet for uninterrupted operations adding that it as well addresses the need for the smart home allowing simultaneous connections for streaming online content, e-entertainment; while still acting as a WiFi Router for the entire house at the same capped monthly cost” Somasekhar explained during the Launch at the Airtel Offices.

Commenting on the affordability of the solution, the Airtel officer noted that Airtel Broad Band is affordable to the general public especially to the SME,s and it has an associated  Incentives on it to the customers.

  “The solution offers the best internet experience at the most affordable rate of less than Shs2,000 per GB, and the unit attracts a one-off entry cost of Shs280,000 inclusive of a 51GB of Data valid for 30 days, free installation and device maintenance” He added

Launching the solution, the State Minister for Trade in the Ministry of Trade Industries and Cooperatives, Michael Werikhe Kafabusa applauded Airtel for coming up with such solution which he said it will aid the Ugandan Business Communities.

 “Communication plays big role in supporting trade in Uganda our trader are facing challenges associated with high cost of Internet but with the coming up of Airtel Broad Band Internet solution this will lower the cost majority SME,s have been incurring  on Internet” He said

He added by explaining that  Ugandan traders like their counterparts in other African countries are embracing online trading but this cannot be rolled out with the high cost of Internet  thus the need for the private sector to come up with cheap products that can support Ugandan trade to embrace online  shopping and marketing.

 Commenting on behalf of the SME,s Isa Ssekito the Public Relations office for Kampala City traders Association said with the Launch of the solution this will lower the cost of doing Business by the SME,s in the Country.

Isa Ssekito of KACITA receiving new Broad Band Kit  from the Aitel Uganda Managing Director  

The Airtel Broad Band Internet solution will be first piloted in the greater Kampala covering the areas of Kampala city, Entebbe and some parts of Mukono; however Airtel promised the network to be extended to other parts of the country in few months to come.

   

LVBC AND UNEP team discussed adapting to climate project implementation

 Source LVBC

A team from the United Environment Programme (UNEP) and Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) recently held discussions centered on progress of implementation for Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) Project coordinated in 5 East African Community (EAC) Partner States.

The meeting held at LVBC Headquarters, Kisumu, Kenya from 22nd-23rd October 2019 aimed at discussing project implementation progress, existing challenges and drawing momentum to fast-track the implementation moving forward.

LVBC Executive Secretary Dr. Ally Said Matano referred to the project as catalytic and responsive to existing climatic challenges in Lake Victoria Basin. LVBC Executive Secretary cited weather extremes such as floods after drought in EAC Partner States as practical examples of relevance of project interventions on adaptation climate change risks and vulnerabilities.

Dr. Ally Said Matano  inthe Midle with neck tie  posing in group photo with UNEP delegates 

He lauded the existing mutual partnership between UNEP and LVBC as evidenced by the present project on adaption to climate change and other foreseeable partnership opportunities in the future.

He guided the technical project management and oversight team to approach the project implementation with an end in mind because it guarantees clarity towards achieving the project intended outcomes and impacts.

Essey Daniel, Programme Officer from UNEP shared with participants the uniqueness of the project, its responsiveness to existing climate change vulnerabilities and risks at regional, national and community levels of East African Community Partner States.

 He acknowledged the complexities of the project specifically being the first of its kind in Lake Victoria Basin region of the East African Community. Examples cited as complexities included differences in levels in terms of mainstreaming adaptation, mitigation and climate resilience in policies, plans, priorities of EAC Partner States and transboundary nature of the project.

Essey underscored that whereas the project has specific activities, project management team should also prioritize existing peoples’ strategies of adapting to climate change at local levels. He also acknowledged the catalytic nature of the project and heralded future partnerships between LVBC and UNEP building on potential best practices from the present project. 

The meeting discussed LVBC governance structure, project implementation status and strategies for fast-tracking implementation strategies for project activities, procurement and finance components of the projects among others.

Closing the meeting, LVBC Executive Secretary, Dr. Ally-Said Matano noted that meeting acted as an induction for some new members joining the project and reviewing implementation status. He reiterated the good political will, LVBC stakeholders convening advantage and complementary expertise which will contribute to the realization of the project objectives.  

Overall, Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) Project aims at reducing vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change in Lake Victoria Basin.  Key project outcomes are institutional and technical strengthening, timely sharing of climate change related information with national policy-makers, technical officers and local communities, reduced community vulnerabilities, enhanced regional climate change resilience and improved knowledge sharing for effective decision-making in the Lake Victoria Basin

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Participants to the meeting were Eng Hilda Pius Luoga, Acting Deputy Executive Secretary for Programmes and Projects for Lake Victoria and Projects Development Officer, Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin Manager, Dr. Masinde Bwire, and other Project teams from Lake Victoria Basin, among others.

African Development Bank commits US$12.5bn to mitigate climate change.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

African Development Bank has pledged to boost funding commitments of about US$12.5bn to help African countries adapt to the effects of climate change between 2020 and 2025

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The Revelation was made by the Bank’s President President Akinwumi Adesina while addressing the UN talks on climate change adaptation; Adesina said the Bank was doubling commitments to climate finance to $25bn for the five-year period, half of which would fund climate adaptation.

“This is where the rubber meets the road Because many of the countries are facing extreme weather patterns, and they can't wait any more, we've decided to launch the Africa disaster risk facility to ensure these countries get the resources they need to insure themselves against catastrophic risk events,” Adesina told members of the Global Commission on Adaptation.

The President of the African Development Bank  Akinwumi making speech 

 According to the Statement from the African Development Banks, the banks will invest resources in projects such as involves building early warning systems so that African governments know of emerging threats and an insurance scheme to provide payouts when drought, floods and other calamities strike.

Other sector to be sponsored  by the Bank also include  supporting policy makers  involves building early warning systems so that African governments know of emerging threats and an insurance scheme to provide payouts when drought, floods and other calamities strike.

The meeting, called Countdown to the Climate Adaptation Summit: the Launch of the Year of Action, was organised by the Global Commission on Adaptation, which seeks to prepare cities and farmlands for a hotter world.

The president and other participants during the meeting 

Speaking at the same meeting, Bill Gates, the software tycoon, philanthropist and member of the commission, warned that farmers could see their crops dwindle by as much as 30 per cent over the next 30 years and warned that Africa could be hit hardest.

 “Look at the world's poorest people, the majority of them are the smallholder farmers. And yet … they are going to be the first and the ones with the worst impacts, which leads to malnutrition and to instability,” said Gates.

Gates, a co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said enhancing crop seeds, developing finance and insurance packages and new agricultural systems and policies could ready farmers for a riskier future.

The targets are focused on finance and investment, agriculture and feeding populations, nature-based solutions, water, cities, locally-led action, infrastructure, and preventing natural disasters.

Ban Ki-moon, a former UN secretary-general and chair of the commission, called for action to ready the world’s 300 million small-scale farmers for land degradation, drought and other impacts of climate change.

“Without urgent action to help the world’s smallholder farmers we risk undermining our food security for generations to come,” Ban told delegates to the talks, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

NEMA embarks on massive Biodiversity Restoration Exercise.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO.

NEMA-Mbale Regional Office in partnership with NFA-Moroto Range Office, Moroto District Local Government and local communities (including the indigenous Tepeth) have commenced on tree-planting Exercise  to restore the river  Lia water  catchment   area .

The exercise will result in the restoration of at least 10 hectares of Moroto Forest Reserve. A total of at least 7,000 trees will be planted in an area that constitutes a critical part of the catchment area that provides headwaters for the Lia stream.

Officials planting the tree's 

The stream is an important element in the makeup of the water resource base and natural drainage pattern of Moroto and the greater northeastern region in general. The catchment area was encroached on by encroachers for Agriculture related Activities

 Community Engagement during the Exercise  

In related development the Environment protection agency for Uganda has also embarked on the restoration of Oliduru Central Forest Reserve in Ogwet Sub county inOtuke District. The restoration comes at atime when the forests trees were almost cut down due to the high demand for wood related products such as charcoal and timber for construction purposes.

To ensure that the forest is restored, NEMA in collaboration with National Forest Authority in collaboration with the Ngetta   Agriculture Research Institute and the Otuke Local Government will plant over 15000 Shea nuts seedlings in the bare parts of the forest reserve covering up to 222 hectares of land.

 Francis  Ogwal the  NEMA,s Natural Resources  manager in charge of  Biodiversity and Rangelands  said that restoring the Country’s, degraded Biodiversity is critical towards mitigating  the Impacts that  are associated  Biodiversity destruction such as floods  and the accumulation of greenhouse gasses  in the atmosphere.  

UN, Environment& Faith Organization to host Climate Emergency Conference.

.BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

United  Nations Environment Program( UNEP)  is to host a two days International UN Environment’s Faith for Earth Initiative conference as part of the commemoration of the fourth Anniversary of the  Laudato Si', the second encyclical of Pope Francis, specifically on the environment.

The conference is being organized by UN Environment’s Faith for Earth Initiative—along with partners including the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and it will take place at the UN Environment Head offices in Nairobi Kenya.

The 15-16July conference will focus on climate emergency and ecosystems restoration to spur governments and young people to heed the calls of many indigenous peoples for better global stewardship of the environment.

Cardinal Peter Turkson  will be the main speaker at the Conference 

On many occasions the Catholic Church headed by   Pope Francis has already warned about the dangers of global heating. Thus the only way to combat it is through the collaboration between the faith based organizations like the Catholic Church working closely with Environment Organizations   like UN Environment to come up with solution to mitigate climate change.

Commenting on the upcoming Conference, Charles McNeill, Senior Policy Advisor on Forests and Climate, UN Environment says youth are key in combating climate change but on many occasions have been left out to participate in decision making that is why the organization has brought them on board as strong shareholders in the fight against climate change.

“Youth will be the foundation of any faith-based movement to end tropical deforestation, and we welcome this conference as an opportunity to deepen and expand commitment across faiths and sectors. “He said in Press statement.

 The Faith for Earth Initiative is also working with faith-based investment institutions to help them make the switch from carbon-based investments towards more sustainable energy and other investments. Speakers at the conference will be led by Cardinal Peter Turkson  a Ghanaian  who will provide a scientific perspective on the current state of the world and stress the importance of youth engagement.

According to the statement, the conference will address urgent needs and opportunities in Africa and showcase best practices across the continent and the role of youth leadership and innovation.

Commenting on the perspective on the catholic youth the Executive Director of the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa Allen Attaro says  “Africa’s youth feel the urgent responsibility to ensure their communities, countries and the continent act as frontrunners for a safe, sustainable and productive future for them and for future generations,”