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.

Its Great taking part in 5 day TOT with WOUGNET, DHRLabs & GIZ. It is Knowledge when it is shared. Such a training is a means to empower many People who have faced OBV(Online Based Violence) a Great Human Rights Concern. 

LOSCO will continue to be a part of the great change that we desire to see. Have you faced any kind of Violence online? Faced a Challenge with your Account? Been Conned from Internet? Its time to put all that to an excruciating end!!!

We are here for you!!

@wougnet @giz_uganda @dhrlab @NCHRD_UG @DefendDefenders #training #people #training #people

 HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN KABALE

We had a detailed meeting with the DPC of Kabale Central Police station discussing issues of Human Rights. Mr. Byansi Muhammad clearly stated the Human Rights challenges in Kabale are appalling where families are killing themselves, Men cutting their wives because of Land Wrangles, other communities making their own rules of engagement on suspects. Land Wrangles and Domestic Violence are the leading issues in Kabale.

We came to agree that Sensitisation on Human rights and Community policing are the key actions to be taken to curtail these vices. LOSCO is preparing a Dialogue with all stakeholders in the wake of all these matters.

Safety and Justice are the major Interventions for the lives of all Ugandans.

 

LOCAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ORGANISATION

(LOSCO)

For Immediate Release

 

STATEMENT ON THE NEED FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE NEW BORNS AMIDST THE COVID-19 PREVENTION.

(Kabale 12^th August 2021)  As citizens of a society, each child assumes rights that should be upheld, independent to their parents. It is therefore not out of charity that we act to help children, rather it is an imperative act.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) no. 4 and 5 are among the 8 goals whose target is to reduce child and maternal morbidity and mortality. Uganda like other UN members subscribed to the MDGs. There has been a progress in achieving most of the MDGs but MDG5 has been a challenge to most countries including Uganda.

Although it is not yet realized in practice, child advocacy seems to represent the recognition by society that the developmental needs of its children are so important that they must be ensured as rights to be promoted and protected.

A 27-year-old woman Aharimpisa Caroline who produced triplets at Rugarama hospital has called on leaders and well-wishers her for assistance in these critical times. Aharimpisa a resident of Ikamiro parish, Muko Sub county Rubanda District had her triplets on 26^th July 2021.

To one of the Officers at LOSCO, Aharimpisa said that she was operated before delivering. She says due to severe bleeding, the health workers donated blood to save her life. She has nothing to sell at home which could have generated the much-needed financial assistance because she provides manual labour digging for other people. The father to the triplets Mr. Tusasibwe Bosco aged 32 yrs also said he survives on casual work providing manual labour making bricks for other people and providing for the family of 5 people has become a real challenge thus leaving the family in dire need.

Mugisha John Baptist, a ward doctor at Rugarama Hospital said the triplets were prematures. He adds that the mother does not have enough breast milk to breastfeed the triplets and so needs heavy financial support to enable here proper feeding. The New Borns are being taken care of from Rugarama Hospital in Kabale District.

Children do not have political power or a democratic voice, and generally have actions done to them, often without their consent. Without others, advocating for a child, the health and wellbeing of children will be thrown into unprecedented jeopardy, which as Human Rights Advocates will not allow.

 

We therefore recommend that:

1.      Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to give emergency support to such families well knowing that many of them are in the same state due to the recent COVID-19 Pandemic in the country.

2.      The Area Members of parliament get firsthand information from their communities (grass root levels) and isolate such issues up for effective policy discussion at National Level.

3.      Ministry of Health (MoH) (Primary Health Care) gives priority to such endangered children to secure their future through increased budget for Child Health

4.      The Ministry of Health (MoH) at all levels to review budget guidelines to align with Child Welfare services need.

 

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Taremwa Albert – Executive Director – LOSCO - +256772935100 albert.t@loscoug.org

Mr. Kakingwa Chrisantuhs – Head of Advocacy – LOSCO - +256779797308 santuhs.k@loscoug.org   

Ms. Moreen Ashiimwe – Head of F&A – LOSCO -+256781347168 moreen.a@loscoug.org