ICOD Action Network - Uganda

ICOD Action Network's Executive Director speaks at Northwestern University Conference on Human Rights

2012-01-23T18:41:00.000-08:00

This Month ( Jan. 2012), ICOD Action Network's Executive Director was invited to speak at the Northwestern University Conference on Human Rights in Evanston Illinois. Michael spoke on the Panel entitled Failure of Distribution: Feeding Today, Starving Tomorrow alongside Ms.Joy Labez, an Assistant Director in US Government Accountability Office, Mr. Paul Macek, Senior Director of Food Security & Livelihoods at World Vision and Mr. Marc Cohen who is senior researcher on humanitarian policy and climate change at Oxfam America. We are glad to share with you some of the content from his presentation. Enjoy our 3rd 2012 article.

Uganda, food security and Food Aid

Uganda's economy is predominantly agrarian; 81% of the employed labor force, and agricultural sector accounts for 20-25% of GDP. However, since 2002, agriculture growth has lagged other sectors’ growth significantly.

Over the last four decades, Uganda has been a major recipient of food aid and international aid assistance. Some of the contributing factors include civil wars, poverty, and periodic lack of food supply, natural disasters and poor governance, which has affected major development sectors including food production and agriculture investment. In November and December 2011, floods displaced families in six districts in eastern Uganda, over 70000 people were affected by floods, landslides, hailstorms and related disasters countrywide. Floods left victims without any kind of food or shelter. Aid agencies and government responded by pledging support and delivering food items and tents to the affected areas. Few days after the distribution centers were set, no tangible signs of relief efforts could be seen. Why? Food aid and shelter were distributed depending on the populations’ political affiliations.

Uganda is currently experiencing famine and food shortages in Eastern and Northern Uganda and Its estimated that the country looses approximately $245m due to malnutrition .

Uganda is one of five priority nations taking part in the Feed the Future program, an initiative to boost food security and economic development in the developing world. In Uganda, the U.S. Agency for International Development is focusing on three crops -– maize, beans and coffee – and working with local agriculture officials to develop new ways to process, store, transport and market the commodities. Greater availability of Ugandan food products would allow the World Food Program and others providing emergency aid to famine victims in the East Africa to buy supplies fresh and locally rather than import them. Long term, it is hoped that the effort will help build a greater East African agricultural trade that could prevent famines in the future.

Short and Long term effects of food aid

The purpose and form of food aid always varies with target groups and the timing of interventions. In many instances, food aid has contributed to improved diets for recipients, helped communities overcome disaster and served as relief to “third world countries. The integration of food assistance into longer-term development efforts is an important action. Such integration may require that some activities be supported with resources not just food provision e.g to capacity building, building democratic governments and health care infrastructure development. For example, Feed the Future is currently working with Uganda’s Ministry of Health and other partners to strengthen systems for improved delivery of proven maternal anemia intervention. Anemia affects 64% of pregnant women and 49% of non pregnant women in Uganda .

Whereas food aid bridges the gap between food access and food needs, thereby preventing asset depletion and promoting asset build-up among households, it has intended (short run) and unintended (long-term) effects. These effects have food security implications that are felt at household, national and regional levels. By increasing the supply of food in the affected communities, for example, food aid could improve food availability at household and national levels but could dampen prices, create dependency, and lower production.

Impact of Food Aid on Food Security

INTENDED IMPACTS

Long-run

Regional: Improved trade capacity through triangular purchase

National Level: Improved national food security availability to mitigate disaster, Development of market institutions- standards, warehouse receipts and exchange trading, Increased business activities linked to food aid (milling, transport sector)

Short-run

Household level: Increased household food availability, Improved school attendance, Improved health and overall outcomes

UNINTENDED IMPACTS

Long-run

Impact on production ( national and household): Decreased government support to agriculture, Impact on local tastes, Exposure to local quality and unsafe products, Breeds corruption in procurement and distribution

Short-run

Market distortions: Distortion in the local price of food items, Lower prices result in disincentives to farmers to produce, Overall decrease in food production in the long-term

For example, In Uganda for example, food aid and feeding programs were in the early 1990s used to attract people living with HIV/AIDS to care, counseling, training, or income-generating activities. In Kampala, Uganda, for example, a pilot project supported by WFP used food as an incentive for street children (many orphaned by AIDS) to participate in vocational training programs. In other instances, food programs offered general relief to PLWHA and their families and helped safeguard existing assets which otherwise would be used to acquire food. These projects in Uganda have been used as an inducement to draw people to specific community- based activities.

Abdulai, et al (2005) used data on 42 sub-Saharan African countries to estimate the relationship between levels of food aid and food production. They found that, while food aid impacts negatively on local producer incentives, food aid also builds capacity for production in following seasons.

Representation of communities and Food aid requests by Charity Organizations

Food aid and charitable organizations get donations through what is presented as the “true” facts on ground. Unfortunately, most data presented in charity advertising misrepresents and humiliates the supposed beneficiaries who are assumed to be passive and unable to help themselves. For example during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgence in Northern Uganda, local and international media and charity organization focused on publishing pictures of big belled children, starving women and street children displaced by war to raise funds. Some pictures had been taken years before they were published, and still, even after the war, some media houses still publish the same photos to raise funds. Example no.2, Margaret Thatcher summed this when she said of the Ethiopian farmers “We have to try to teach the basics of long term husbandry. However, the fact is, there is very little developing countries can teach courageous people from the “third world”; they already know basics of their trade, have extracted a living form their mountainsides for thousands. All they need if they do is their productivity in the face of ecological disasters.

Gender in relation to insecurity in Uganda

The large number of women living in the rural areas and engaged in agricultural activities as the main source of livelihood and make up of over 80% of agricultural labor force means. In times of unfavorable weather for food production, they face huge food deficits and would require food aid. As a result, gender and its implications are recognized as important in food aid management. Female-headed households are more likely to be food insecure than their male- headed counterparts. Female-headed households are more likely to reduce numbers of meals consumed, have less access to farm power and implements, and own less livestock than male-headed households. Women headed households are traditionally disadvantaged as they have limited access to capital, land, animals and other productive assets. In times of production shocks like drought, women headed households are more vulnerable to food insecurity because they do not own enough assets that they can sell to buy food.

Uganda’s approach to Food Security

One of Uganda’s key policy documents is the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), National Agriculture Advisory Services and the National Food and Nutrition Policy, which are national planning frameworks and all recognize the right to food as a right. All these policies seek to address major development challenges and eradicate poverty and increase the right to food and nutrition at all times to vulnerable groups and through increasing access to agriculture extension services. However, none of them presents concrete proposals to boost food security and influenced by political actors in implementation of their activities.

ICOD Action Network’s approach to build a sustainable community food systems.

1. The core values of ICOD Action Network are deeply rooted in dignity, justice, inclusiveness/ community participation and accountability. Resources are used in ways hat are mutually transparent and acceptable to all stakeholders including our partners and donors. This is complemented by the highest standards of accountability towards affected communities we serve and fulfilling the goals of our existence.

Our approach is also boosted by our decision to use a Rights Based Approach to Programming which we adopted in 2008 that we believe will help create a common platform for collective action and help communities themselves find lasting solutions to solve their most pressing problems.

2. Increasing farmer’s access to agricultural information. We opened a solar powered information center, which is being used to implement and information-sharing project through information technology. Under this project, 5 community groups are taking part information sharing project. Trained farmers engage communities in discussion about key agricultural. issues and them look for information from the Internet which they post in their respective communities so that they can be accessed by all community members. Information about agriculture, good farming methods, weather, markets, pests and disease is now easily shared among communities.

3. Training. This is a key component in all our agriculture and food security projects. The latest inclusion is permaculture and involving environmental conservation in most of our key projects. This year 2012, we will plant 50000 fruit trees in our community. Fruit trees and harvested fruits have direct impact on food security, health, income and the environment.

Conclusion

As we have earlier noted from previous discussions and presentations, food assistance and foreign have direct impact (positive and negative) on rights of intended beneficiaries who in most cases are living very inhuman conditions due to disasters. Donors and receipt governments need integrate them into longer-term development efforts. Such integration may require that some activities be supported with resources from outside food aid, these may include among others, building infrastructure, building and sustaining existence of strong and vibrant non-state actors like civil society organizations, fighting corruption and building democratic governments that provide secure environment for individual, institutional and national development.

5 year + 50000 fruit tress = Healthier Bodies and Greener Environment

2012-01-14T21:48:00.000-08:00

March 12, 2012,ICOD Action Network will be getting into the 5th year as a local NGO. Under the theme "5 year + 50000 fruit tress = Healthier Bodies and Greener Environment" we will be launching our Environmental conservation project which also has a food security component because we will planting fruit trees like mangoes, avacado, guava, e.tc which have direct impact on the environment and food security. A blood donation center will also be set up. Give us some ideas on how to make this possible and share with friends. We can make it Happen.

Lyantonde's Resident District Commisioner visits ICOD Action Network

2012-01-02T05:26:00.000-08:00

On December 8, 2011, we hosted the new Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Lyantode District. The RDC and her team visited Lyantonde Internet Center, beneficiaries of the houses ad pit latrines project and also visited farmer’s groups in villages who have received training in permaculture and sustainable agriculture. We had several meetings with communities where we work and reflected on our successes and set priorities for the new year 2012. It was a great opportunity to have communities directly involved in planning for projects they need most.

The RDC talks to one of the HIV/AIDS infected women who benefited from the house and pit latrine project.

A community meeting where ICOD staff, local leaders and community members set priorities for 2012.

Happy New Year 2012

Youth 2011 Camp Pictures

2011-12-31T04:18:00.000-08:00

ICOD's Best Staff 2011

2011-12-22T09:25:00.001-08:00

December 19, 2011 marked the end of the year at ICOD Action Network. What a successful year! We all worked as team, worked hard and remained committed throughout the year. But one person emerged as the best. The ICT Department (Lyantonde Internet Center) was the best department and Ariho Adam (IT Administrator) was voted as the best staff 2011 by our staff and customers. Congratulations Adam.

End of year meeting on December 19, 2011

Adam receiving his Award

2011 HIV/AIDS Youth Camp begins

2011-12-07T05:46:00.000-08:00

We are proud to inform you that our first HIV/AIDS Youth Camp has began today in Lyantonde Uganda, East Africa. A collaboration between ICOD Action Network and our partners Lyantonde Network of People Living Aids, "Youth against HIV/AIDS" camp will focus on training youth in HIV/AIDS prevention and raise their awareness of the pandemic, train youth in life skills and build their capacity and skills to take part in community development projects. We expect about 150 to attend. Watch out for more news, stories and pictures from the Camp.

www.icoduganda.org

HIV/Aids stigma fuelling mother-to-child infection

2011-11-30T23:49:00.000-08:00

Sustained stigma continues to undermine the fight against the HIV/Aids scourge and remains a major cause of mother- to-child infection in Uganda, activists have said.
The plight of thousands of mothers and children affected by it, lingers on as Uganda today joins the rest of the world to mark the World Aids Day.

The story of Adriane Akankunda, offers an eloquent illustration of experiences of thousands of children born with HIV. She holds her mother tightly as though to ease the pain caused by the soars in her mouth and rashes on her neck. Akankunda, just three-years-old, contracted HIV from her mother, who fearing stigma, weaned her after six months “because she was afraid people will know that she is positive.” HIV-positive mothers are advised to wean their babies after three months to prevent the transmission of the disease.

Ms Gloria Ahimbisibwe, Akankunda’s mother, explaining her daughters condition says: “I think she looks like that because she has not yet started taking ARVs, the doctor says that she is not yet fit for ARVs so at the moment she is still on septrine.”

Daily infections

As the world commemorates World Aids Day today under the theme, “Getting to Zero” with three targets of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths, Uganda is still grappling with the fight against pediatric HIV whose major cause is mother-to-child transmission.

Statistics show that more than 1,000 children contract HIV from their mothers daily.
Dr Godfrey Esiru, the national coordinator of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in the Ministry of Health, says unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV -infected person is the cause of 80 per cent of the HIV cases in Uganda.

A journalist guide on pediatric HIV from Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation and Star South West, shows that more than 90 per cent of the HIV infections in children in Uganda result from mother-to-child transmission.

Dr Esiru said out of 1.5 million pregnant mothers, 96,000 of them are infected and because of no interventions, 30 per cent of these mothers infect their children leading to 27,000 infected babies every year where two-third of them die before three years.

While a number of prevention measures such as male circumcision and Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom (ABC) use, have been in place to fight HIV and eliminate pediatric HIV by 2015, statistics show that Uganda is not making any significant improvement.

A report on the status of Paediatric HIV in Uganda indicates that by 2008, Uganda registered 25,000 children with new cases of HIV.

Minimal trials for child vaccines

By 2010, 22,000 new infections were registered and these were due to mother-to-child transmission.

Dr Moses Walakila, the technical Director at Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric Aids Foundation, Paediatric HIV mostly pronounced in upcountry areas where few families access family planning.

“So even in cases where a couple knows that they are positive and thus do not want to conceive any more, the fact that they have no access to family planning, they will conceive and lack of knowledge on how to help such a mother at birth by nurses will easily lead to the passing on of the virus to the baby,” he explains.

Mr Paul Mayende from Baylor-Uganda said the greatest challenge to the prevention of mother-to-child infection is the absence of available services.

“Much as over 1,500 health facilities can provided prevention of mother to child transmission services, only about 30 per cent of expectant mothers deliver from a health facility. This implies that majority of the mothers giving birth from other places other than the health facilities have their infants exposed to HIV.”

November Food Security Workshop

2011-11-19T01:45:00.000-08:00

This month's food security training workshop was in Kyewanula Village. Attended by 26 farmers, ICOD Action Network Staff trained local farmers groups in basic permaculture design and farmer's group dynamics and team work. Our training workshops always begin with a video show from different parts of the world that have been transformed through sustainable agriculture practices. This month's video was DIRT. Farmers later took part in brainstorming ideas on how a community demonstration garden will be designed.

Pictures: Seva Gandhi

ICOD Action Network and Project Focus on Global Activism Series again

2011-10-21T03:59:00.000-07:00

(From wbez.org website)

Combatting HIV-AIDS and poverty in Lyantonde, Uganda

Every Thursday on Global Activism, we hear from a local individual who works to make the world a better place.

Ahabwe Michael is executive director of the ICOD Action Network, based in the Lyantonde district of southwestern Uganda. His organization responds to socioeconomic challenges in his society like HIV/AIDS, high unemployment, insufficient health care, poor sanitation and famine. He says he began his work because he wanted make a difference.

Listen to the show on this link http://goo.gl/AI7WZ

Thanks for your continued support.

Food security: challenges, Solutions and Good Practices

2011-10-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

(Extracted from Ahabwe Mugerwa Michael's Presentation at the Jane Addams Hull house Museum- University of Illinois Chicago on October 11, 2011)

Introduction:

Achieving food security continues to be a challenge not only for the developing nations, but also for the developed world. The difference lies n the magnitude of the problem in terms of its severity and proportion of the population affected. Food security has major three aspects: food availability, food access and food adequacy.

Food security is a situation in which all people at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active healthy life. Food security is affected by a complexity of factors; these include, unstable social and political environments that preclude sustainable economic growth, war and civil strife, macroeconomic imbalances in trade, natural resource constraints, poor human resource base, gender inequality, inadequate education, poor health, natural disasters such as floods and locust infestations and the absence of good governance. All these factors contribute to either insufficient national food security availability or insufficient access to food by households and individuals.

While the rest of the world has made significant progress towards food security and poverty alleviation, Sub Saharan Africa, Uganda in particular continues to lag behind. Many factors have contributed to this including the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, civil war, strive and poor governance, frequent drought and famine, and agricultural dependency on the climate and environment. ( Uganda is currently experiencing famine and food shortages in Eastern and Northern Uganda and Its estimated that the country looses approximately $245,666,666 due to malnutrition. Source; Uganda national Academy of Science report). Despite the reoccurring famine cases in the country, government has not taken major policy changes that target all people in the agriculture sector.

Challenges to food security in rural Uganda.

1. Underdeveloped Agricultural Sector.

Over reliance on primary agriculture, environmental degradation, significant food crop loss due to post -harvest and minimal value addition are some of the major challenges to agriculture in Africa. Over 99% of the food in Uganda is grown under rain-fed agriculture, which makes food production vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.

2. Barriers to market Access

Access to markets is another huddle that smallholder farmers face. There is poor infrastructure and barriers in penetrating the market caused by limited resources, lack of information, lack of or inadequate support institutions and poor policies among others.

3. Disease and Infection.

Disease and infections continue to plague entire African continent. Disease like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS not only reduce the man-hours available to agriculture and household food acquisition, but also increase the burden of households in acquiring food. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO), estimates that by 2020 the epidemic will claim the lives of 20% or more of the population working in agriculture in many Southern African Countries . NB: Agriculture contributes to 79.6% of the total labor force in Uganda.

How food security can be achieved.

1. Nutritional interventions for the poor to reduce effects of malnutrition’s on the poor and sick. NB: food production makes nutritious food available.

2. Facilitating market access: there is need to remove the barriers to trade for African economies so that the people can benefit.

3. Rural off-farm opportunities. These can include industries engaging in value addition, providing credit, market facilitation. These will increase opportunities for the poor when they are no their farmers and reduce rural-urban migration making farm labor available. NB: Uganda’s agriculture addition growth is estimated at only 5.11% and farm tractor use at 0.7%

4. Capacity building: free access to education, research and development, access to capital and infrastructure so that communities can be empowered to produce enough food.

5. Gender sensitive development. Policy makers should work to address gender issues in agriculture and build women’s capacity to make decisions that affect them. E.g Women contribute approximately 80% of agriculture labor force and control less than 10% of resources at household level. According to a 2000 International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) study, agriculture is the main source of income for rural households in Uganda. It is also the main occupation of women. Nationwide, 72% of all employed women and 90% of all rural women work in agriculture.

6. Demonstration sites / technology development site. These offer onsite training to farmers, are avenues for research and provide an opportunity for a farmers-learn by doing approach which is very important in empowering rural farming communities.

7. Good governance. All strategies work in a secure and corruption free environment. Governments should delink political interests to the needs of the people like access to adequate and nutritious food.

ICOD Action Network and Project Focus’s approach to build a sustainable community food systems.

1. Permaculture training. This project trains rural farmers to consciously design and maintain agriculture productive ecosystems. The project integrates environment and people, energy, shelter and other material and non material farmer needs in a sustainable way. 137 farmers have been so far been trained in permaculture.

2. Increasing farmer’s access to agricultural information. We opened a solar powered information center, which is being used to implement an information-sharing project through information technology. Under this project, 5 community groups are taking part information sharing project. Trained farmers engage communities in discussion about key agricultural issues and them look for information from the Internet which they post in their respective communities so that they can be accessed by all community members. Information about agriculture, good farming methods, weather, markets, pests and disease is now easily shared among communities.

3. Training. This is a key component in all our agriculture and food security projects.

You're Invited

2011-10-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

Ahabwe Michael, founder of ICOD Action Network, our local partner in Lyantonde, Uganda, will be visiting us here in Chicago!

While here, Michael will be an honored guest speaker at the Jane Addams Hull House food activism series, Re-Thinking Soup. His presentation will include thoughts on how rural African communities can be a leading source of the world’s health food supplies if respective governments make technical and policy adjustments. He will also discuss the importance of access to healthy and sustainable foods in rural communities, as well as ICOD Action Network's use of the Lyantonde Internet Center to promote agriculture information and training within the Lyantonde community.

Please join us for this thought-provoking presentation and a delicious bowl of soup!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011@ 12:00-1:00pm
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
The University of Illinois at Chicago
800 S. Halsted Chicago, IL 60607

Also, Ahabwe Michael has been invited to speak on Worldview with Jerome McDonnell to discuss the continued progress and challenges with the Lyantonde Internet Center. Stay tuned for the date and time of the WBEZ broadcast!

(From Project Focus Blog, september 30, 2011)

Ugandan Lawmakers okay controversial HIV/AIDS Bill

2011-07-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

In our May 3, 2011 article, we analyzed the impact of the proposed HIV /AIADS Prevention and Control Bill that was before Uganda’s eighth Parliament for debate and passing. We added our voice to a number of international and local NGOs, activists, donors and Uganda’s partners calling for the revision of the entire bill and removal of clauses that criminalize HIV/AIDS spread.

On July 12, 2011 Ugandan law makers resisted pressure and backed the bill despite its consequences of rights of people living with HIV /AIDS and HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness campaigns that have seen the country make tremendous steps towards the.

The 9^th Parliament new committee chairperson, Ms Rosemary Najjemba Muyinda was recently reported saying that the bill was in its advanced stages of being passed.

There are several controversial clauses of the bill like a 10 year penalty in jail to individuals that knowingly infect others, criminal prosecution of women who transmit HIV to their infants after birth through breast milk among others.

Lets think about this: Two people: A ( male) and B (female) both have never had HIV test but have unprotected sex. A becomes suspicious and worried and decides to rush to the nearest HIV testing center after 120 days and tests for HIV. Results show that he is HIV positive. He attacks B and drags her to court for infecting him with the deadly HIV/AIDS virus intentionally. Remember B had never had an HIV test before and didn’t know her status before she had unprotected sex with A. How will court determine who infected the other? Are Uganda’s law makers making ignorance of one’s HIV status a crime or making HIV test mandatory?

ICOD Action Network strongly opposes the entire bill because of its consequences on human rights, the bill undermines progress so far made in fighting HIV/AIDS, it legislates for mandatory testing for HIV and forced disclosure of HIV status among other clauses that we think will affect government and civil society efforts to reduce HIV prevalence and new infections rates.

2011 Half year (January - June) Key Projects Report

2011-07-07T01:44:00.001-07:00

Hello partners, donors and friends, we are glad to share with you our 2011 half year report about our key projects / activities. Thanks for your support.

Key Projects / activities

February 2011: House and pit latrine construction Project. The project whose goal is to provide sustainable and appropriate shelter solutions to HIV/AIDS affected households was completed in Kinuuka Sub County. A total of 6 houses and 6 improved pit latrines were constructed in Lyantonde Rural and Kinuuka Sub Counties.

March 2011: Permaculture Training

Permaculture (the word, coined by Bill Mollison, is a portmanteau of permanent agriculture and permanent culture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people — providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permanent agriculture there is no possibility of a stable social order. The organization recently adopted the approach in all its agriculture related projects. In March 2011 one of our staff attended the Permaculture Design Course in Kenya and we hosted True Nature Design from USA that facilitated permaculture trainings in Kyewanula and Lwensinga Villages Lyantonde Rural Sub County. A total 137 participants attended the 2 days training.

March 2011: Women’s Group savings and credit project: This is a new project we are piloting with two women’s groups Wabusana Parish Kinuuka Sub County. The project goal is to increase group savings and reduce vulnerability of women and children.

April 2011: Anti corruption. This new project aims advocating for a corruption free community through community awareness. We have started identifying community volunteers from the already existing volunteer base. This project targets local leaders and community’s members. Community members shall be trained in detecting, reporting and following corruption related cases and shall also be equipped with skills in monitoring community development projects implemented in their areas. Projects that are implemented by government and local governments like districts are always characterized by corruption in the award of contracts, procurement and implementation of such projects. When communities are trained in detecting and reporting corruption, a lot shall be achieved in reducing corruption and its undesired effects in the community.

May 2011: HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS programming aims at reducing rates of HIV/AIDS prevalence, infection and effects of opportunistic infections among the victims. The organization recently started partnering with Lyantonde Network of People Living with Aids. Both organizations have adopted a Joint HIV and AIDS Action Plan for 2011 which will lead to HIV/AIDS projects being implemented in amore effective and sustainable manner.

ICT training for farmers (Ongoing)

Selected farmer's group members (Community Information Agents) are being trained in computer and Internet use, and collect information that the community group has requested from the Internet. Information related to agriculture, markets, crop diseases , HIV/AIDS and modern farming methods is retrieved from the internet, repackaged in local languages and shared with respective communities. Community Information Agents have been very instrumental in mobilizing communities for change.

Key Partners

Project Focus - Chicago

Program for Accessible Health, Communication and Health (PACE)

Rakai Community Aids Organization (RACOBAO)

Lyantonde Hospital

Lyantonde Moslem Supreme Council Hospital

Lyantonde Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS

Kampala University

University Bible Fellowship Uganda

Lyantonde District Local Government

Lyantonde District NGO Forum

Plans for July - December 2011

We hope to implement the following projects/ activities during the last half of the year (July – December).

- Conduct HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns

- Build capacity of Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS so that they can be able implement HIV/AIDS projects.

- Construct ferro-cement tanks in selected sub counties of Lyantonde district

- Strengthen Community Information sharing systems through access to ICT.

- Carry out 6 community permaculture trainings.

- Take part in Lyantonde NGO Forum activities.

Lightening stricking across Uganda, kills 23 school children and injures many.

2011-06-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Uganda

has suffered devastating lightning strikes in the last two weeks which have left more than 30 people dead in the past one week.

At least 21 people perished on Tuesday 28^th June when lightning struck three locations in different parts of Uganda. By 10:00pm on Tuesday night, 17 pupils and one student teacher had been pronounced dead by medics at Kiryandongo hospital, 210km north of Kampala when lighting struck their classroom. By today evening 6 more pupils have been confirmed dead as several were referred to Mulago National Referral hospital for more specialized medical attention.

Two other deaths have been reported in Eastern Uganda. Lightning struck a village in Sironko district killing a 58 year old man identified as Hassan Wandulu, Mr Aramanzan Dongo in Mpogo in Sironko was also struck at about 3.00pm during a heavy down pour accompanied by hail stones on Tuesday evening. Lightning strikes also spread to Karamoja region striking a school in Kotido district, killing one pupil and injuring another instantly. One woman was also injured in Lyantonde District.

Lightning Safety Measures

According to Meteorologists, when inside a building, avoid use of telephones, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cables, TV wiring, plumbing, etc. Avoid taking shelter under a tree since lighting often strikes the highest spot in an area. Ducking below a tall tree is definitely not a good idea since you’ll probably be struck at the same time. The best solution is to crouch, in a fetal position, only vertical, and to stand on your toes, the idea being to minimize the contact area with the ground.

You should also lose all metal objects like watches, lighters, belt buckles and metallic jewelry.

The ideal hiding place is a car because its body has a wide surface area, thus dissipating the electrical current and acting like a protective cage. But one should avoid contact with metals while in the car and all windows should be rolled up. Schools and tall buildings should install a lightning rod.

ICOD Action Network consolidates HIV/AIDS partnerships.

2011-06-18T01:38:00.000-07:00

In all projects, we work in close consultations with partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries to ensure effective implementation and sustainability. This year we are continuing to identify partners to work with. We have also been approached by several other organizations that want to partner with us. On 16, 2011 we made a bigger stride towards consolidating partnerships in the HIV/AIDS Sector. We hosted several Organizations that we shall be working with to implement HIV/AIDS projects in Lyantonde. Representatives from Program for Accessible Health, Communication and Health (PACE), Rakai Community Aids Organization (RACOBAO), Lyantonde Hospital, Lyantonde Moslem Supreme Council Hospital and Lyantonde Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS attended a round-table discussion meeting at our Lyantonde office.

One of the PACE representatives makes his presentation.

Lyantonde Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS Coordinator (Left) chaired the meeting.

In 2011, we will closely work with all the above NGOs and institutions to raise community awareness on HIV/AIDS so as to reduce on rates of new infections and prevalence, increase community access to Anti Retro vial Drugs, increase mother's access to Anti Natal Care and closely work with HIV Most at Risk Persons (MARPs) like prostitutes, taxi driver and truckers to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention, HIV/AIDS Support Service Centers among others. We think this is a great stride towards achieving an HIV free generation.

A Doctor from Lyantonde Hospital makes her point.

ICOD Action Network and Lyantonde Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS to adopt aJoint HIV/AIDS Action Plan

2011-06-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

Lyantonde Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS is a association of people who have publically confessed being HIV positive. The association is comprised of over 60 members who come from all the 6 sub counties of Lyantonde District. The Network of PLHAs has been working ICOD Action Network and Project Focus since 2007 when the latter implemented an Art Therapy project in Southwestern Uganda which finally led to the establishment of Lyantonde Internet Center where members of the Network are being trained in ICT and taking part in the Lyantonde information sharing program. The PLHAs Network implements many activities among which include raising community awareness on HIV/AIDS spread and prevention, condom use, male circumcision, training members on positive living and savings and credit and also offers post-infection counseling to members and their families.ICOD Action Network and Lyantonde Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS began discussions on adopting a Joint HIV/AIDS Action Plan. Adopting of a Joint Action Plan will help both organization's achieve HIV/AIDS goals in a more sustainable and effective manner and reduce chances of duplication of activities by either organizations. The first meeting was held on June 1, 2011 at ICOD office in Lyantonde. Another meeting scheduled for June 7, 2011 will discus a draft Joint Action Plan and set goals for 2011.

2011 – 2016; Uganda under President Museveni, corrupt ministers and a partisan parliament.

2011-05-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Uganda dissolved the 8^th parliament recently which political commentators described as one the worst in Uganda’s history. Judgment was based on performance, bills passed and the independence of the parliament from other Arms of Government like the executive. The 8^th parliament was also characterized by a lot of drama that included some members of the house storming out of the house in protest and other opposition MPs locked out for turning the house into a boxing ring. Several bills weren't passed. The most outstanding bills included the Domestic Relations Bill which as been debated for several decades without being passed, and then; “anti gay bill” was introduced in the 8^th parliament.

While some Ugandans, donors and the Civil Society are waiting to start rating the performance of the 9^th parliament. I have already started doing my rating. I predict that the 9^th Parliament will be the worst house ever. On May 24, 2011 President Museveni who was sworn in for his record 4^th presidential term appointed two of the countries best lawyers Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and Amama Mbabazi as his Vice President and Prime Minister respectively. The appointments were a surprise to many who were eagerly waiting to see who makes it to the next cabinet. If these two, Mr Ssekandi and Mbabazi were the only ones who make up the 9^th house and cabinet, I am one of those that believe we would have a best house. Unfortunately, they will work alongside the parliament where ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has 145 members, the opposition has only 50 members and 29 NRM-leaning independents. This is why I think the 9^th parliament and cabinet will be the worst.

1. The (NRM) party has 145 members while the opposition has only 50 members. Still almost all the 26 independents are NRM supporters. To me, this means that the opposition in parliament will be an exact description the NRM calls them; the “shadow opposition” The opposition will again resort to fighting with fists and throwing shoes at NRM members to make their voices

2. The Leader of Opposition in the 8^th parliament lost in the previous elections and will not part of the 9^th house. Professor Ogenga Latigo was not only respected the NRM as an intelligent parliamentarian but he stood by his position throughout the 8^th parliament and provided the best guidance the opposition needed. None of the current opposition members of parliament are any closer in quality to Professor Ogenga Latigo. I don't think the opposition will benefit much from their next leader in the 9^th house.

3. The 9^th parliament is still dominated by NRM members some of whom have been in parliament since 1996 and whom the whole world saw being bribed with app.$2000 each to scrap presidential term limits to allow president Museveni stand for his 3^rd term. As soon the MP for Lyantonde’s Kabula county Mr James Kokooza was declared winner of the hotly contested elections, he called the press and announced that he going to table a bill in the 9^th parliament that seeks to increase presidential term limits from 5 years to 7 years (Mr. Kakooza came to the limelight after spearheading the scrapping to presidential term limits from the constitution back in mid 2000s. He is back in style this time; huh!) If the bill is passed and President Museveni decides to seek reelection in 2016, he will be president till 2023; King Muswati style!

4. Most of the NRM ministers who have been implicated in big corruption scandals in 2007 and 2008 were members of the 8^th parliament or held important cabinet posts. They are likely to retain their ministerial positions or be rewarded with new ministries for mobilizing masses to vote Mr. Museveni. What will happen to the ministries to which they have been rewarded?

5. The 9^th parliament will not pass the Domestic Relations Bill which most Civil Society Organization and women right activists are calling for to be passed. Despite having the first female Speaker, it should noted that she subscribes to the NRM and is one of the top NRM cadres. The Domestic Relations bill which has for long been criticized by the Islamic faith and male parliamentarians on grounds that it will disempower them is likely not to be passed because the NRM will not comprise with the little support it gets from the Moslem community.

6. The 9^th parliament is likely to pass more laws that impact human rights and freedoms of citizens. Mr. Museveni has already made it clear that he will ask parliament to amend the constitution to deny demonstrators bail for a period of six months. Civil Society organizations and the opposition have already objective the president’s strategy that seeks to keep in prison opposition members of parliament but I think the constitution shall be amended since NRM has the numbers in parliament

7. The Anti-gay bill: This controversial bill tabled by Hon. David Bahati in the 8^th parliament is likely to be passed in the 9^th parliament. Despite intense international criticism, the bill will be passed by the 9^th parliament. The NRM caucus shall sit and decide to pass the bill and it will be passed in a couple of days despite the many human rights implications the bill will have a section of Ugandans and none Ugandans who have out and declared they are gay.

Can we make the 9the Parliament better?

This is what I think can make 9^th parliament better more independent.

1. If the Speaker and her deputy who are both NRM cadres must put their party’s interests aside and serve the nation.

2. Parliament stops amending constitution interests of the ruling NRM party.

3. All bills stabled before parliament shouldn’t be passed until consultation with all stakeholders and partners are made.

4. The opposition must get a competent Leader of Opposition in parliament. This isn’t likely to happen because Besigye has also adopted Museveni style of appointing people to key Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party positions. So don’t be surprised if he also appoints his successor.

5. And, the anti-gay bill should not even be tabled before parliament for debate as it appears now. Clauses that impact the rights of gays must be addressed first or the bill be thrown out.

Ahabwe Mugerwa Michael

Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily present the views of ICOD Action Network or staff. All views herein are ideas of the writer.

Criminal Liability for the Transmission of HIV/AIDS is Counter- Productive:

2011-05-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill 2009 has been tabled for the 1^st reading in Parliament today. Among others, the Bill provides for criminal penalty for risk and intentional transmission of the virus. If enacted, the proposed law would require mandatory disclosure of one’s HIV status; failure of which would be regarded as ‘criminal’ and attempting to or, intentionally transmitting the virus. Failure to use a condom where one knows their HIV status would constitute a criminal offence making them liable for prosecution.

Given the history of this country and it’s undoubted, contribution to the HIV struggle that was all inclusive of local communities, religious institutions, civil society, private sector and Development Partners; why would government or any progressive citizen consider this proposed law as an effective tool of responding to the epidemic now?

It was a call to all Ugandans for a united effort, openness in addressing the epidemic, clear and consistent messages, and stewardship by his Excellency the President that reduced incidence levels and won the country global recognition. Disappointingly now, some Government leaders, perhaps frustrated by stagnant prevalence rates, are instead considering a punitive law with a veiled hope that it would prevent and control the epidemic.

Instituting criminal laws to punish persons who may or may not transmit HIV virus poses a danger to the consolidated effort and lessons learnt over time. It is difficult to see the rationale underlying the intended legislation. In strategic terms, this bill is likely to have a counterproductive effect by stalling ongoing efforts at best and increasing infection rates at worst.

The Civil Society HIV Bill Coalition is troubled with some provisions in the proposed legislation and this is why:

1. The law when enacted will drive people underground; in the face of possible prosecution and forced disclosure, most people will hide away, there would be no reason to take an HIV test in fear of prosecution.

2. It shall be counter-productive - as people shun HIV services and treatment for all possible fears that arise with the provisions of the law, prevention and control cannot be achieved. Taking an HIV test is the beginning point for both control and prevention, however the Bill will deter this effort by empowering medical practitioners to release test results to third parties.

3. It will indiscriminately harass women – most women get to know their HIV status before their male counterparts as they interface with medical facilities more often. Giving them an extra burden to disclose their status mandatorily as a blanket requirement may subject them to violence, abandonment and abuse as they are usually blamed for bringing the virus. In our societies, women cannot easily negotiate sex nor condom use, yet failure to use one while they know their status will warrant such a woman punishment for intentional transmission of the HIV virus.

4. May breakdown families who are already vulnerable. Opening a window for prosecution will encourage family breakdowns where one partner who gets to know their status, blames it on the other and files a case in court. Intentional transmission may never get proved, but the family structure will have been distorted, partners desert each other with the consequent burden born by the poor orphans. HIV status is bad enough for the children but humiliating and sometimes vicious litigation between parents tears their lives apart.

5. Is not situation-specific or realistic: the conditions for this law to operate are not realistic, it is extremely difficult to prove who infected the other and therefore it is to no effect. The judiciary in this country is very much strained and it takes long to pass judgment. How many lives would be destroyed if it takes an average 5 to 7 years to get judgment? Worse, the Police force is ineffective and is known to fail to comprehend and prosecute cases of this nature.

6. Selective prosecution: The bill targets the 20% of Ugandans that have tested and know their status and presumes that some of those knowingly and intentionally transmit HIV. What about the rest of the population who do not know their status yet transmit and cannot be found in the ambit of this law? This is unfair, obnoxious and unreasonable and cannot possibly be regarded as an efficacious law.

7. Increased stigma and discrimination. The moment HIV is construed with criminalization and then people go into hiding, those living with HIV will suffer societal victimization since they would now be regarded as threats to public health. As a nation, we can still do better since on this one, we are all in it together.

The fears and risks mentioned above are shared by stakeholders across the spectrum – medical/health workers, human rights activists, Persons Living with HIV, agencies working in this area and the SADC region.

Despite efforts by the Civil Society Coalition to point out the pitfalls in the Bill to, the issue of criminalization has remained.

An effective national legal response is that which is designed to meet specific needs of the country, those that target particular situations that make people vulnerable to HIV and its impact and, use of particular strengths of the country’s people, institutions and experience. An effective response must address the epidemic’s likely consequence on individuals, families and the society’s over all development plans.

Prevention of HIV should be a shared responsibility of those who are positive and know their status and those who are negative or sero-bllind.

This is an urgent call; that if indeed the intention of this bill is to prevent and control HIV, members of Parliament should delete provisions that attract criminal liability.

(This statement has been issued by the joint Civil Society Coalition advocating for an appropriate HIV/AIDS legislation)

ICOD ACTION NETWORK CALLS UPON UGANDA PARLIAMENTARIANS TO DELETE PROVISIONS THAT ATTRACT CRIMINAL LIABILITY BEFORE THE BILL IS PASSED.

Bloody protests in Uganda, Face book and Twitter Blocked

2011-04-15T04:21:00.000-07:00

Early this month (April), Uganda political parties led by Forum for Democratic Change FDC and civil society organizations launched the Action for Change campaign which includes among other activities a Walk to Work Campaign. The walk to work campaign began on Monday where prominent opposition leaders moved from their homes on foot to their places of work. They have also urged several people to accompany them because of the high fuel and basic needs prices and the fact that government is not doing anything about it.

Government warns and threatens severe action.

The government warned the public against joining the peaceful Walk to Work campaign with threats to crush whoever acted contrary to the law. Monday April 11, saw several people injured including several babies, school children and women. Several opposition activists were clobbered and charged in court for unlawful assembly, disrupting traffic but were latter released on bail . On Thursday April 14, the Walk to Work architects led by FDC’s Kizza Besigye, were on the road again as early as 06:00am. Police used maximum force to stop the campaign but were overpowered by the number of people who formed a ring around the FDC leader and looser in the just concluded general elections which he says was full of irregularities. The FDC president camped a road trench to for over 3 hours to resist arrest.

This woman was working home and was wasn't part of the protesters but was hit by several rubber bullets, its reported that she died immediately after being taken from the scene where this picture was taken. May her soul rest in Eternal Peace

At around 1200 hours, Kizza Begigye got out of the trench and continued his Walk to Work campaign. Along with hundreds of supporters, they came under attack by Military Police who were called in after the police failed to handle the protestors. The FDC present was shot in the hand by a rubber bullet targeted towards him and was rushed to Kampala Hospital.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum, united in blaming the government, and the police leadership in particular, for using violence against opposition leaders and civilians walking to work. The lawmakers said this was an attempt to disguise the national discontent over economic problems.

More Action (Twitter and Face book blocked, media houses banned from live broadcasting)

The government last evening moved to curtail major broadcasting houses when it banned live broadcast of news events around the walk-to-work campaign. April 15 at around 1230 hours, Face book and Twitter were blocked.

Way forward!

1. Is Uganda heading to military state?

2. Has Mr Museveni’s comment to chew Besigye like samosa started to work?( During Museveni’s election victory party in early march, he promised to chew Besigye like a samosa if he tried to cause chaos)

3. Who should we blame for the chaos, loss of lives and property? Police or Besigye’s supporters who are mostly unemployed youth?

4. Is Besigye using Ugandans for his personal interests? Is he an activist or just a greedy politicians like some of him colleagues?

5. Are we yet to see another Egypt, Tunisia , Libya, Yemen and Syria revolution in Uganda?

Permaculture comes to Uganda - Watch Video

2011-04-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

The video has inspiring farmer's stories from the permaculture trainings conducted by ICOD Action Network and Project Focus in Southwestern Uganda. The trainings were facilitated by Warren Brush and Daniel Parra Hensel from True Nature Design. Enjoy the video!

Our Website

2011-04-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

We have moved our site to a new server, Site40. Its the same good looking site. Please visit http://icoduganda.site40.net/index.html. If you cant access our site, please visit our US based partners site http://projectfocus.org/. Or send inquires to icodprogram@gmal.com.

Thanks.

We have launched an anti corruption Blog

2011-04-09T04:13:00.000-07:00

We have launched an anti corruption Blog . Visit http://yocontralacorrupcion.blogspot.com/ and share your stories, join our mailing list and post on our Blog. Yo contra la corrupción is spanish for "Me against corruption". Join the fight NOW

Lyantonde's HIV activist passes on.

2011-04-07T03:01:00.000-07:00

On April 5, 2011, Lyantonde’s long time HIV activist Bonabana Eddy passed on and was laid to rest on April 6, 2011 in Bushenyi District in Western Uganda.

Bonabana (right) receiving a bicycle and a certificate from ICOD Action Network in June 2010.

Bonabana Eddy has been at the forefront of fighting HIV/AIDS in Lyantonde for over 10 years after declaring that she was HIV positive in late 1990s. Having worked as a sex worker for more than 20 years, declaring that she was quitting and openly declaring her HIV status inspired many including other sex workers who latter quite and joined her work towards reducing the rate at which HIV was spreading in Lyantonde.

Members of Bonabana's group in an art and craft training in 2007

She facilitated and shared her experience in workshops organized by several NGOs in Uganda and throughout the East African region. Between 2007 and 2009, she founded Lyantonde Hospital Post Test Club and Lyantonde Network of People Living with Aids through which she worked to train communities on HIV/AIDS prevention and training HIV infected members to economically sustain their lives and those of their family members.

Bonabana will be remembered as a hardworking and selfless leader who worked very hard to change her community. As ICOD Action Network, we have lost a partner in our fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Lyantonde and Uganda as a whole. May her soul rest in Eternal Peace.

Permaculture comes to Uganda

2011-04-01T10:25:00.001-07:00

In March 2010, ICOD Action Network in collaboration with our Chicago based partner, Project Focus (www.projectfocus.org) hosted Warren Brush and Daniel Parra Hensel in Lyantonde Uganda who trained farmers in Permaculture. Warren Brush is a certified Permaculture designer and teacher as well as a mentor. He is co-founder of Quail Springs Learning Oasis & Permaculture Farm, Sustainable Vocations, Wilderness Youth Project, Trees for Children and his Permaculture design company, True Nature Design. He works extensively in Permaculture education and sustainable systems design in North America and in Africa as well as in other countries worldwide. Daniel is a wonderful trainer too and was a great facilitator in trainings. Daniel and Warren trained farmers in 3 villages

We are glad to be at the forefront of the Permaculture Movement in Uganda

ICOD at Giving meaning

2011-03-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

farmers

ICT Farmers Training

2011-02-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

Training of Lyantonde farmers in computer and internet use is still going on . 6 new members have also began training at Lyantonde Internet Center. By the end of the program, farmers will be able to use computers and internet, extract agricultural information relevant in their lives and use the information to improve production. See chart below;

ICOD Action Network at Lyantonde District Planning conference

2011-01-29T07:43:00.000-08:00

On Friday January 28, 2011, two of our staff attended Lyantonde District Planning / consultative conference which was organized by Lyantonde District Local Government to develop the District Five Year Rolled Development. ICOD Action Network presented its 2010 program achievements which were appreciated by the District leadership as great steps towards transforming rural vulnerable communities.

Staff making a presentation on Friday evening

Lyantonde Chief Administrative Officer at the conference

New updates on our Website

2011-01-22T09:45:00.001-08:00

New updates on http://icoduganda.org/: Login for the 2010 Accounts statement and Program Description.

ICOD Action Network Team

State of Child Headed Households in Lyantonde

2010-11-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

We have been working on this short video about the state of Child Headed Households in Lyantonde. This household is headed by a 12 year old girl who takes care of her siblings aged 8 and 9 months with the youngest HIV positive. Watch and forward to friends to watch.

ICT "A POWERFUL TOOL"

2010-10-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

This year ICOD Action Network organised Secondary School Essay competition in Lyantonde district under the theme ICT "a powerful tool". Eleven schools participated in the competition and an independent team of teachers is selecting the best three essays and winners shall be announced very soon.

A student asking a question about ICT

Students listening to ICOD staff during an ICT awareness workshop

Staff raising student awareness about ICT

We are changing!

2010-09-27T02:50:00.000-07:00

Integrated Community Efforts for Development (ICOD) Uganda is going through a transition period that will see us adopt more programs in addition to the current programs. One of the key program components being introduced is Micro-credit for rural farmers. Integrated Community Efforts for Development (ICOD) shall change its name to ICOD Action Network starting October 31, 2010. We have started changing our website and blog for this purpose.

Schools ICT Essay Competitions 2010

2010-08-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

This year, ICOD is organizing a school essay competition under the theme “ICT a powerful tool”. Competitors will be required to write an essay of between 300 – 500 words describing how ICT is a powerful tool for social and economic development. Participants will also be required to describe how ICT is important in students’ performance.The competition begins September 6^th, 2010 to October 1, 2010. Winners shall be announced October 6, 2010. The organization shall award the best 3 students with ‘back to school’ shopping packages during the 2011 first school term and free training in computer and internet use. The goal of the competition is to find out students’ understanding of ICT and increase their adoption of ICT.

How can we make this better? Send an email to info@icoduganda.org.

House construction and Sanitation Project Second Phase Progress

2010-08-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

In mid July, we began the second phase of house and pit latrine construction project. Three more HIV/AIDS affected households will benefit from this phase. Check out the progress of Namyalo Lucia's new house; (Continue scrolling ...)

Staff takes part in clearing a site for Namyalo's new house

Staff carrying out a case study on Namyalo's household

Namyalo's new house under construction

Staff painting Namyalo's new house

Namyalo's old and new pit latrine ( left and right respectively)

Namyalo's new house

Meet the Director

2010-07-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.formspring.me/ahamitch

ICT training for rural farmers

2010-07-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

The organization started training rural farmers, youth and People living with HIV/AIDS in ICT. At the end of training, they will be able to retrieve information relevant in their lives like markets for their produce and agricultural information.

INTERNET CENTER LAUNCH

2010-06-18T02:37:00.000-07:00

If you missed the best launch ever in Lyantonde, you can still watch it online.

MEET A FARMER WHO HAS BENEFITED FROM INTERNET USE

2010-06-17T22:15:00.001-07:00

Rhoda Sempebwa (about 55 years of old) from Nakaseke Uganda tells her story about how her farm harvests have increased over the recent years because of using internet. She reveals that she has used the internet to learn new farming techniques, share her experience and learn from other farmers. She also encourages other farmers to learn internet use by taking part in ICOD's IT project.

SOLAR POWERED INTERNET CENTER LAUNCHED

2010-06-15T09:52:00.002-07:00

The organization recently launched Lyantonde Internet Center; a solar powered facility that will help the organization implement ICT projects in Lyantonde district and the other districts in southwestern Uganda. The launch began with a bicycle race where youth competed for a new bicycle and other prizes. 5 community groups are taking part in a program at the Center that provides them with better access to information important in their daily lives (farming, health, education, etc). Selected group members are being trained in computer and Internet use, and will collect information that their communities have requested from the Internet. The Center is also open 7 days a week to the public, providing Internet access.

Above, the RDC Lyantonde, District Chairperson and police chief shown how internet works, the winner of the bicycle lifts up his prize and below and youth who participated in the race

Rural farmers watching a movie on the relevance of computer and internet in agriculture.

A technician installing solar panels at the center

LYANTONDE FARMERS TAKEN FOR A STUDY TOUR

2010-06-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

On May 21, 2010, ICOD selected 5 groups’ leaders from 5 local farmer’s groups working with the organization and took them for a study tour in Western Uganda. The purpose of the tour was to link Lyantonde farmers to other farmers who have used of computers and internet to increase agricultural productivity and market their produce. The group visited Bwera Information Center and visited local farmer's groups who shared their experience with farmers from Lyantonde about modern farming methods, group formation, savings and credit and how the use of internet has helped them increase agricultural productivity. Farmer's from Lyantonde were inspired and they shared stories from Bwera with their communities and also formed farmer's groups that are being trained in using the computers and using internet by the organization

Lyantonde farmers taking notes

The group touring of a pineapple farm in Bwera

ICOD's Director sharing his experience

Bwera Information Center Coordinator (second right) explaining how the center trains local farmers.

After training, farmers will be able to use the internet to link their respective groups to markets, get infomation about crop and animal diseases prevention, get weather forecasts, learn and adopt new agricultural production methods, learnt from other farmers and retrieve agricultural related information from the internet, repackage it in the local languages and share it with other farmers.

ICOD Director is a wolrd Curator

2010-04-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

ICOD's director took part in BBC's My World Competition and his documentary was one of the best in the world and the best in Africa and Oceania. Follow link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/2010/03/100318_a_lifes_work_myworld.shtml

to watch the documentary online.

NEW ICOD WEBSITE

2010-03-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

www.icoduganda.org

ICOD EXTENDS SAFE WATER TO RURAL COMMUNITIES

2009-10-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

Data from the Directorate of Water Services in Uganda shows that the percentage of access to improved / safe water sources is about 55% at national level, compared to less than 48% in Lyantonde District. Absence of water sources was identified as a key problem and households identified water supply as a priority in Lyantonde.

Time taken by children to fetch water was also identified as a problem because it affects children’s school attendance and performance. Average walking distance to nearest water sources (safe or unsafe) is 4 kilometers and the burden of collecting water is on women and children. ICOD has this year (2009) constructed 10 Ferro-cement water tanks under the Lyantonde District Rural Safe Water Extension Project for the most vulnerable households in Lyantonde rural sub county.

DROUGHT HITS LYANTONDE: ICOD’S AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS AFFECTED.

2009-08-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

Lyantonde district is found in South Western Uganda. It is boarded by Rakai district in the south, Masaka district in the east, Kiruhura in the west and Sembabule in the north. It has a total population of 66,039 of whom 32,687 are males and 33,352 are females. Out of the total population 36,050 are children and of these children, 5,571 are orphans.

Lyantonde district lies in the geographical Ankole – Masaka cattle corridor; a dry zone with savannah grass lands, thorny acacia shrubs and many semi arid zones. The district is usually hit by severe dry spell between June and September. The average annual rainfall is about 750mm to 1000mm and the annual maximum temperature is about 29 degrees centigrade. There has been a drastic increase in temperature in the district leading to severe drought, which is attributed to encroachment on fragile ecosystems of wetlands, bush burning and deforestation. Drought has also led to drying up of open water sources and over 70% of boreholes.

The district has two rain seasons; the 1st runs from March to May and the 2nd from August to November. At the beginning of this years 1st planting season, ICOD distributed free planting seeds to vulnerable households, one primary school and three farmers groups to build their capacity to produce enough food for their communities and sustain themselves. However due to severe drought, all beneficiaries lost their crops making them more vulnerable. The most affected are child headed households, orphans families and the primary school supported by the organization. Local government records indicate that over 95% of rural farmers also lost their crops to drought.

ICOD; CHANGING LIVES

2009-06-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

2009-04-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Seeds and food support project to rural farmer's groups.

In our efforts to build a food secure community that can be able to sustain its self in future and work towards its own development, we started working very closely with rural farmer’s groups. ICOD provides free planting seeds several farmer’s groups and other vulnerable households.

On the onset of the 2009 planting season, ICOD distributed free planting seeds to three farmer’s groups and 51 vulnerable households affected by HIV/AIDS in Lyantonde and Masaka districts.

51 vulnerable households also benefited from free food, beddings and household utensils distributed by the organization.

2009-04-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

ICOD's food support to prince Primary Public School

In all its projects and activities, ICOD works with and consults local and foreign partners. Among the local partners is Prince Primary Public school; a local community owned and managed school that provides education to children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and high poverty levels. ICOD works with the school parents and partners to improve conditions of the children at school through infrastructural development.

In 2008, ICOD found out that food scarcity was one of the most pressing needs of children at home and at school. ICOD started implementing a free planting seeds distribution project aimed at building the community food resource so that children can have enough food at school and at home.

The harvests from the 2008 season were very good; 470 kilograms of maize were harvested from 25 kilograms given to parents by the organization. Food availability in most participating households increased and children are now able to have enough food at home.

ICOD handed over 75 kilograms of maize to prince primary administration which will be used as food for school children. The children had their first meal from their parent’s harvests on 9^th April 2009 at 1:15pm.

Lyantonde

2009-03-30T04:31:00.000-07:00

2009 Planting Season begins in Lyantonde

Rains began in the last quarter of the month of March marking the beginning of the planting season in Lyantonde district. While some farmers begin clearing their fields for the new planting season, some families in rural Lyantonde don't know their next course of action among which are child headed households affected by HIV/AIDS and high poverty levels which is a characteristic of most households in rural Lyantonde.

ICOD plans to resume free seeds distribution to vulnerable members of the community in its efforts to build a food secure community. The organization calls upon every one to extend their support to this program.

Contact the Country Program Coordinator for details on how to help the Lyantonde Community:
Email: ahamitch@gmail.com
Tel: +256 751 933 845 / 703 740 206

2009 Priority Areas

2009-03-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

• Educational support to orphans and other vulnerable children
• HIV/AIDS sensitization and awareness.
• Seed distribution to orphans families and farmer's groups
• Health outreach for the sick
• Agricultural training and support
• Safe water and sanitation in rural areas.

Organization’ targets
ICOD targets Child Headed Households, Orphans, People with AIDS, Widows, Elderly and other vulnerable members of the community.

Achievements

2009-03-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

Since its inception in February 2008, ICOD Uganda has worked hand in hand with the district local governments, civil society organizations, local leaders, foreign and local partners and communities to map out best ways of responding to the effects of the AIDS pandemic in the district. In carrying out most its activities, the organization works with the relevant stakeholders for efficiency and effectiveness.

Over the last year ICOD has been able to:
• Conduct an enumeration and needs assessment survey to establish in depth the effects of HIV/AIDS on children in the district, and to gather data which has helped in the design of appropriate, relevant and sustainable projects.
• Support orphans with scholastic materials like uniforms, books, pencils and pens.
• Distribute food supplies to vulnerable households in Lyantonde district.
• Distribute seeds for farming to 20 vulnerable families and 3 farmers groups in Lyantonde and Masaka districts in its efforts to build a food secure community.
• Extended health services support to over 3000 people in its annual health outreach organized in partnership with University Bible Fellowship