The Batwa too have Human Rights 

 

TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY REPORT

THEME: “PLANTING TREES AS WE CHANGE THE NARRATIVE ABOUT CIVIL SOCIETIES”

INTRODUCTION

LOSCO and its partners, with support from OXFAM and Narratives Pilot project designed activities around tree planting so as to promote a government development agenda, but also use the opportunity to open channels of communication between the Government, civil society, and citizens.

During the 2021 general elections, like was in previous elections, LOSCO in Partnership with CCEDU noted widespread violence against members of the opposition, intimidation of the opposition, civil society and the media by state actors. Uganda has had a history of elections marred by administrative and logistical challenges that can only be dealt with through a shift in the narrative increased number of case of Domestic Violence and mass murders. As part of strengthening the narrative dimension in Uganda, civil society conversations will converge around tree-plating activities and situating the tree-planting drives as a key precursor for the promotion of a healthy electoral environment and human rights situation in Uganda. 

The purpose of the conversations will be to create a narrative that deconstructs bad elections and deepens the understanding of the citizenry on the need for progressive development. The goal is to shift the power back to the citizenry through the narratives. This will directly deal with the frustration and mistrust that the citizenry have in Ugandan Leaders. The idea was to promote beliefs and values in progressive Ugandans (audience) that we have the power to change the decaying leadership narratives with Special focus on the youth and local leaders as well as women because it is they that will find value in planting trees for posterity.

 

The tree planting campaign first took place in Wakiso, Masaka and now Kabale and will close off in Mbale, Mayuge and Kampala. The tree-planting drives will continue to be used to engage the communities on the best ways we can jointly work together with the Government to promote democracy, human rights, and fulfilling Government programs.

 

 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 

The main objective of the tree planting campaign was to change societal and community narratives towards Civil Society Organizations. Furthermore, the following were achieved in the Process:

1)         To provide a platform rejuvenate the environment;

2)         To build capacity and popularity of communities to understand the role of CSOs towards development and good governance.

3)         To engage policy makers, government institutions, and other key stakeholders on the need to enhance effective community participation and inclusion.

 

CONTRIBUTION TO SDGs

The tree planting campaign is also well aligned towards Uganda’s National Development Plan III (that aims at promoting resilience and wealth creation) , the National Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals, SDG5 (Gender Equality), SDG6 (Water and Sanitation), SDG7(Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG12(Responsible Consumption), SDG13(Climate Action), SDG15(Life on Land), SDG16(Peace, Justice and Institution) and SDG17(Partnership for Development) as well as Vision 2030 priorities towards rejuvenating of the environment and improving community participation towards environmental protection for sustainable development.

Having experienced the high rate of environmental degradation in communities, the rate of carbonization has increased due to an increase in urbanization and human activities; this campaign is also informed by the community mindset towards CSOs to reform environment as well as building sustainability.

OUTCOMES

The tree-planting platform was used to create positive conversation around Human Rights, Domestic Violence, and Electoral Democracy. This was to deconstruct dominant hostile narratives that have delegitimized roles of citizens in democratic and fair processes. Planting trees, developing and sharing messages through campaigns around the tree planting for a stable future was the focus.  Messages were developed and shared during the tree planting exercises to re-energize citizens on their role to development processes. Women and youth, key government actors were reached out to and Human Rights advocates and Activists in the different areas led it. The Activity took place in the Sub county of Kyanamira, Ndorwa East Kabale District.

PARTNERS

The Activity was carried out by LOSCO Membership infrastructure to CCEDU, NCHRD-U, DPI and Defend Defenders with support from OXFAM and NARRATIVES PILOT PROJECT.

CONCLUSION

LOSCO with its partners will continue to engage communities and the Local Government to ensure that the narrative towards CSOs is changed and to support the Government to achieve its goals.