Meet the branch: Iganga branch

Iganga branch is one of the 5 branches who were awarded a grant for implementation of the Skybird micro projects. Recently it was joined by Gulu branch which is currently implementing a regional skybird programme. This article provides a short overview of the background of Namutumba District skybird project area and Iganga branch’s past experience in implementing WASH projects.

Background of Namutumba district

Namutumba district is among the 7 administrative districts of Iganga branch, It is where the branch is implementing micro skybird project in Bulange and Magada sub counties. This district is geographically located in southeastern part of Uganda and is approximately 145 km from Kampala Capital City, Its located in Busoga region covering land area of 801.87Km² of which the arable is 555.87 km² and 246 km² is land under swamps/wetlands/rivers. It borders Kaliro and Kibuku in the North, Butalejja in the East, Bugiri in the South and Iganga ranging from West to South West. It has 9 administrative sub counties with a total population of 252,557 according to the Population and Housing Census 2014.

History of URCS Iganga Branch

Uganda Red Cross Society Iganga branch is one of the 51 branches of Uganda Red Cross society located in the Eastern part of Uganda in Busoga Region covering the seven districts which were part of the former greater Iganga Namely: Iganga , Mayuge, Luuka, Bugweri, Namayingo, Bugiri And Namutumba with its main office in Iganga district, Nakigo sub county Bulubandi village. This branch was born in 1985 after having been part of the Busoga Red Cross division in early 1980s. The branch sits on its own land and has office land in Bugiri and Namutumba district. The branch is bordered by Jinja branch in the West, Kamuli and Pallisa in the North and Tororo and Busia branch in the East respectively.

Its population according to 2014 population housing and population census is as follows: Iganga and Bugweri -504,197, Luuka- 238,020, Namutumba- 252,262, Bugiri – 382,912, Mayuge – 473239, Namayingo 215,442 respectively. The following districts under Iganga branch are boarded by Lake Victoria like: Mayuge, Bugiri and Namayingo while Mayuge and Namayingo districts have Islands and other parts within the coverage have got swamps, rivers and streams.

The branch reaches the vulnerable communities as it is working as an auxiliary to the government and has working experience in implementing different projects as follows;

Iganga’s experience in WASH

1. Diarrhea Risk Reduction project from 1^stFeb 2012 to 31^st October 2014.
This project was funded by Belgium Red Cross with a total value of 702,087 Euro for a period of 3 years. It directly benefited communities of Luuka and Bugiri district. This project aimed at increasing the use of safe drinking water of improved sanitary units and hygiene practices related to diarrhea and associated risks like jiggers and cholera. It involved both community sensitization about hygiene and sanitation through formation of PHAST groups and then real drilling of boreholes, Radio talk shows, Assessment of water and sanitation technological options in the 43 villages in the areas project and training 16 science teachers and Training of water sanitation committees. Furthermore, tree planting was done as a way of conserving the environment, hygiene and sanitation competitions were organised between community and sub counties then lastly there was sensitization of communities about hygiene and sanitation through music dance and drama with full involvement of community members.

Caption: Food storage facility constructed in 43 villages.

Caption: Formation and training of PHAST groups

Cholera prevention project with support from UNICEF

This project was titled Contingency Stand-by Agreement for Emergency Preparedness and Response in Health, WASH and Child Protection. It was directly implemented under disaster management. It directly benefited people around Namayingo islands at Namaying T/C, Mutumba, Buhumba, Banda, Lolwe, Sigulu, Sub-counties, parishes, or villages; Buyinja Health centre IV, Mutumbe Heath centre 111, and Kandge Health Centre 111 in Lolwe Island and this was due to the rising cases of cholera during such a time between 2010 to 2014.

3. Keep a girl in school campaign , From March 2019 to Date

The ministry of education and sports in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross society in march 2019 launched the “keep a girl in school” campaign. This initiative aims at improving menstrual health management among adolescent girls in primary and secondary schools in Uganda and so far 1536 girls have benefited from this project from the five selected schools in Mayuge district as a pilot district. With support from ministry and stake holders all concerted efforts are directed to the following proposed interventions: (1) institutional infrastructure: water and sanitation facilities, 2) knowledge enhancement through the production and dissemination of information, education and communication materials as well as training learners, parents and teachers in menstrual health management. (3) partnership building and policy framework on MHM coupled with enforcement. The total number of girls projected to be reached in schools country wide by 2021 is 161,545.

Caption: Distribution of Menstrual hygiene materials during project launch in September 2019

Iganga Branch in the Skybird Programme

Iganga branch as one of the five branches implementing micro skybird programme is currently implementing food security and climate change and green energy project.

Several intervetions were planned and implemented such as Consultative meeting with the sub-county technocrats of Bulange and Magada Sub counties, Formation of 12 FFGs in Bulange and Magada sub counties this was done co-currently with community assessment were 300H/H, Procurement and distribution of PPEs/ IEC Materials, Establishment of 20 farmer field school demonstration gardens (First season is for seed multiplication then share within groups). Training of 193 farmers in modern agriculture (Good Agronomic Practices and Post Harvest Handling along maize, soya and Groundnuts value chain crops). Received 30kgs of maize seeds in support of Sky bird project from Simba Seeds Uganda. Secured and inspected land provided by community members and sub county council executive tailored towards the skybird project. Supervised land opening /planting & weeding. Procured and Distribution Seeds, Tree seedlings and fertilizer. Dissemination of Red cross principles that led to 10 gender groups being registered as Redcross members, Held two (2) partnership meetings, Conducted community assessment 300 HH ,Held four (4) monthly meetings, Held two (2) exchange study tour through zoom meetings one from Ethiopia and Uganda