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Context in Uganda

Uganda has seen significant progress on social and economic development dimensions in the past decade. People's access to education, health, water and other infrastructures has improved and Uganda has received international recognition for its response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A decentralised political system has enabled people to participate more effectively in planning and implementation of their development activities. However, recently there are debates on whether to move to a multi-party system and the change in the constitution to extend the terms of the president have been criticized internationally. Falling international coffee prices and continued high debt servicing constrains economic development. The significant regional disparities between the Southern and more marginalized Northern parts of the country could potentially destabilize the political dynamics further.

Northern Uganda suffers from the long lasting conflict between Government forces and the Lords Resistance Army. Killings, abduction, rape and amputations continue to threaten civilians, leading to displacement of the rural population and interruption of production. The majority of the rural population live in IDP camps and is dependent of relief supplies for their survival. ACORD is operating in areas prone to conflicts or in transition and recovering from conflicts including in Adjumani/Moyo districts in West Nile sub-region, Gulu, Kitgum and Pader in Acholi sub-region, Nakapiripirit and Kotido in Karamoja sub-region. A programme for national reconciliation is also pursued in the South Western region, including Mbarara.

 

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Overall Objective

ACORD Uganda aims at enabling the poor and marginalized communities living in conflict-affected areas effectively engage with government, the private sector and institutions of development to secure their basic rights as citizens and assume responsibilities in fostering reconciliation and safer post-conflict communities.
More specifically, the change objectives for the current strategic period are to:
  • Strengthen the livelihoods of internally displaced persons in Northern Uganda and their capacities to advocate for their rights and achieve food security.
  • Facilitate innovative public-private partnerships (PPP) as alternative mechanisms to create opportunities for investment, employment creation and income generation for youth.
  • Strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights, especially of the most vulnerable women living in IDP camps.
  • Promote popular participation of the poor and marginalized communities in influencing decisions, development priorities and policies at local and national levels.
  • Build capacities of local social partners, especially HIV/AIDS Community-based service organisations and networks of PLWHAs to advocate and lobby on issues of OVC and infected persons to receive the care and support they need to live well.

 

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Thematic Focus

ACORD Uganda will focus on the two interrelated themes conflict and HIV/AIDS through a livelihoods approach with gender and environment as cross-cutting issues.

Conflict: ACORD is working at different layers to address the conflict in Northern Uganda:

  • Influencing Government policies: ACORD is part of the Local Network of NGOs that works to address the restorative peace process in Northern Uganda. Together with others, ACORD advocates for peaceful resolution of the conflict
  • Building local capacities for peace work within local CBOs, NGOs and religious institutions by way of creating forums to voice their concerns on the prevailing conflict in the area. Facilitation of network, provision of the training in conflict resolution and peace building and conflict research are the main activities.
  • Youth empowerment and conflict mitigation: Provision of skill trainings and income generation for unemployed youth. Work with youth groups to enhance their understanding of the causes and consequences of conflict, peace building and conflict resolution skills

HIV/AIDS: ACORD is working to enhance the capacity of partner CBOs and local NGOs to raise awareness and provide services to people leaving with HIV/AIDS and orphaned children. Activities include support to music and drama groups, distribution of condoms, distribution of IEC materials, support to AIDS radio talk shows, training to PLWHA on improvement of households' incomes, positive living and home based care and provision of start-up funds to vulnerable families through solidarity groups of PLWHAs. ACORD also support local CBO and NGO partners to mainstream HIV/AIDS into their activities.

 

Livelihoods: Practical supports are provided to the displaced people by way of provision of non-food household items in IDP camps as well as provision of financial and material supports to women groups and associations of people leaving with HIV/AIDS to operate businesses and credit activities.


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Who We Work With

ACORD works with CBOs, and local government at district and sub county levels, facilitating effective participation of various community groups in the development planning process. As a result, it has been made possible to develop participatory Parish Development Plans involving other interest groups such as women, youth, PLWHAs and the disabled.