Kabarole Research and Resource Centre-Uganda (KRC-Uganda) is a well-established NGO operating countrywide in different regions of Uganda. Founded in 1996, with a research mission and a long-term commitment to understanding the measures and drivers of poverty and its solutions, KRC-Uganda has …
Our Programs
Food Security & Agribusiness
This program plays a vital role in bolstering the efforts of farmers’ organizations by providing comprehensive support across various critical areas of agricultural development.
Information Research & Communications
Since its founding in 1996, KRC has stood by the philosophy that meaningful actionable data is the driver of successful and impactful development programs.
Environment & Energy
As our population grows, so does the pressure on our use of natural resources. Our programs are aligned to sustainable green economic development with the full participation of our communities and stakeholders.
Governance & Policy Advocacy
KRC facilitate spaces for citizens to make their voices heard and exercise their democratic and civic rights. We work with governance structures with the aim of enhancing
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A taste of safety: Uncovering the food safety concerns in Fort Portal City food markets
In 2024, Kabarole Research and Resource Centre (KRC Uganda), along with Iles De Paix (IDP) and Fort Portal City, embarked on a mission to ensure the safety of the food consumed in Fort Portal and its hinterlands. This initiative focused on three major markets: Kabundaire, Mpanga, and Kisenyi. The aim was to evaluate the microbiological and chemical safety of commonly consumed food items such as raw milk, groundnut paste, fresh vegetables like tomatoes, African eggplant, and cabbage, and meat. Understanding the significance of food safety, the team conducted tests for various contaminants, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, heavy metals such as Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead, aflatoxins, and pesticide residues. Each of these contaminants poses serious health risks, from food poisoning and cancer to neurological damage and immune suppression. This assessment was crucial to ensuring that the food supply meets regulatory standards and is safe for consumption. The team aimed to assess microbiological contamination in raw milk and meat, detect heavy metals in groundnut paste, determine aflatoxin levels in groundnut paste samples, analyze pesticide residues in fresh vegetables, and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving food safety in local markets. To achieve these objectives, we collected three samples of each food item from three different vendors across the three markets, ensuring a representative sampling. The samples were transported under strict conditions and analyzed at the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL) in Kampala. The microbiological analysis focused on detecting E. coli in raw cow milk and E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus in raw meat using the pour plate technique. For groundnut paste, heavy metals were tested using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and aflatoxin contamination was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The fresh vegetable samples were tested for pesticide residues using the Gas Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) technique. The findings from the food tests revealed several key insights. The raw milk samples from Kabundaire had the highest E. coli contamination, raising concerns about hygiene and milk handling practices. In Mpanga Market, the raw meat samples failed microbiological safety standards due to excessive E. coli and Clostridium perfringens, indicating poor hygiene during meat handling. However, the meat samples from Kisenyi and Kabundaire markets met microbiological safety requirements, suggesting good handling and storage practices. The groundnut paste samples showed concerning levels of heavy metals, particularly Cadmium, which exceeded safe limits in Kabundaire and Kisenyi markets. Aflatoxin contamination was detected in Kabundaire and Mpanga markets, with some samples exceeding the safe limits set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The fresh vegetable samples revealed high pesticide residues in Kabundaire and Kisenyi, particularly Profenofos and Cypermethrin, posing significant health risks. These findings underscore the need for immediate intervention to improve food safety in these markets. Measures such as enhancing hygiene practices, proper storage, and drying techniques for groundnuts, integrated pest management (IPM), and strict regulation of pesticide use are essential. Ensuring food safety is not just about conducting tests but taking actionable steps to protect public health. This assessment highlights the critical areas needing intervention to make our markets safer. By prioritizing food safety, we can build a healthier future for everyone. By Eric Oteba, Programs Manager, KRC-Uganda
4. Mar 2025
Newsletter January 2025
As we begin 2025, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of KRC-Uganda in empowering communities and transforming lives. Over the past year, we’ve seen youth in the Rwenzori region redefineagriculture, turning it into a tool for economic transformation. Stories like that of Alex Mubangizi, whotransitioned from a boda-boda rider to a thriving beekeeper employing others, illustrate the life-changingpower of determination and targeted support. In Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, the Kulea Watoto Project enabled Ahmed Ndikumasabo and his peers tolaunch a successful tailoring business. With start-up kits, training, and teamwork, they turned adversityinto opportunity, providing for their families and building a brighter future. Our nutrition and food security initiatives continue to make a significant impact. School gardens in theTooro region now provide nutrient-rich crops for pupils, addressing malnutrition while teachingsustainable farming practices. Similarly, collaborations in the vanilla sector are opening doors forfarmers in Kasese and Bundibugyo to access premium markets and training, ensuring Uganda’s vanillacompetes globally. In refugee settlements, we’ve combined immediate relief with long-term solutions, from distributingrabbits to improve nutrition in Kyaka II to equipping caregivers in Rhino Camp with stress managementtools. These interventions demonstrate our commitment to fostering resilience and dignity in everycommunity we serve. The stories of 2024 remind us that collaboration, innovation, and dedication drive transformative change.As we look to 2025, we are inspired to continue building a Uganda where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together, let’s make this a year of impact and growth Click to read the Newsletter
11. Feb 2025
BANK LOAN TRANSFORMS A SINGLE MOTHER’S LIFE, HELPING HER REBUILD AND START BUSINESS
Noella Nyirahabimana is a 32-year-old Congolese refugee living in the Kyaka 2 refugee settlement. She is also a single mother of 4 children and is a member of the Maendeloe savings and credit association. Noella and her children survive on cash rations and daily transactions she makes in a market in Kakoni village. She buys small produce from wholesalers in the market and resells it to meet the daily needs of her household. Noella displays her produce in front of her house When the VSLA group secured a second loan of 5 million shillings from Equity Bank in July 2024, Noella borrowed 200,000 shillings. She stated that this support came at a critical time, as her house’s roof had been blown away during a heavy downpour. Using the borrowed money, she purchased a plot of land for 200,000 shillings to make a fresh start. Additionally, through her group savings, Noella was able to acquire a tarpaulin for 100,000 shillings, which she used to put a temporary roof over her home. In August 2024, Noella used her savings of 100,000 shillings to start a small business to supplement her income. With this money, she purchased one bag of dry cassava for 50,000 shillings to produce and sell flour. She also spent 20,000 shillings to buy fresh cassava, which she used to prepare Kwanga, a popular Congolese delicacy. “I now earn a profit of 15,000 to 20,000 shillings per week. This is a significant improvement for me because, previously, the income I made from buying and reselling farm produce was entirely spent on meeting daily household needs like food,” emphasised Noella. A closeup look at the ‘Kwanga’ wrapped in banana leaves and dry cassava remnants from her business. “This loan has enabled me to start a business and rebuild my home. I can pay the monthly loan installment of 20,000 shillings, but I believe seasonal loans would be more manageable, as paying monthly can be challenging. If I can secure another loan, I plan to expand my farming activities to improve my life. “I am deeply grateful to KRC-Uganda for their linkages, which have been instrumental in transforming my life for the better, noted Noella” By: Edlyne Kakibogo Project Assistant Young Africa Works-Kyegegwa District
7. Feb 2025
Nutrition Situation of Children in Kyegegwa District
According to the Uganda Census report of 2024, 7.4% of Uganda’s population is from the Tooro region of which 3 out of every 20 children in the region are from Kyegegwa District. Reports from the Kyegegwa District Local Government Health Office reveal that only 44% of pregnant women/girls attend the 4th antenatal care, below the national target (52%). Key to mention is that of every 10, only 3 pregnant women are administered antimalarials, below the national target of 66%. Approximately 55.6% of deliveries take place at a health facility. The Uganda demographic and health survey report of 2022 reveals that the Tooro sub-region is ranked as the 6th (among 14 regions) with an Infant Mortality Rate of 36.9% for every 1000 live births. Malnutrition in all its forms embraces undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight), inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight, obesity, and resulting in diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers). Malnutrition in all its forms takes a heavy toll on the health, well-being and sustainable development of our populations. Uganda, continue to experience high levels of food insecurity, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. According to the Food Security and Nutrition Assessment preliminary results of 2024, 55.4% of children under 5 years of age in Kyaka II refugee settlement are stunted (chronic malnutrition) by poor nutrition. At the same time, 33.8% are anaemic, only 74.5% continued breastfeeding after 1 year and 50% of the households with these children are headed by women. At present, many of our communities suffer from a double burden of malnutrition, which consists of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity, as well as diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Despite some progress, poor maternal, infant, young child and adolescent nutrition continues to threaten the health and development of women, adolescents and children in the Region. KRC-Uganda as the lead nutrition actor in Kyegegwa District is working with other actors and the district to improve the nutritional status of these groups to reduce disease and prevent premature death, and maximize the development potential of children and the societies in which they live. Fighting malnutrition in all its forms is one of the supreme global health challenges. The double burden of malnutrition bargains a sole and significant break for integrated action on malnutrition in all its forms. Addressing this double burden of malnutrition is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, Goal 2 (end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture) and Target 3.4 (reduce mortality from noncommunicable diseases and promote mental health), and the Commitments of the Rome Declaration on Nutrition, within the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition. Related links National Population and Housing Census 2024 Preliminary Tables, https://www.ubos.org/wp–content/uploads/statistics/NPHC–2024–Preliminary–Tablesupload.xlsx Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) 2022, 09_2023UDHS_2022_Key_Findings_Presentation_B.pdf (ubos.org) Multidimensional Child Poverty Report, 2024, https://www.ubos.org/wp–content/uploads/publications/Child–Poverty–in–Uganda.pdf • Budget Call Circular 1 (Butrition Assessment in Refugee Settlements, Refugee Host Districts2023_FSNA_Final%20Report_Final%20Version_Feb22_2024_Printer_March15.pdf Kyegegwa DLG Data/presentations by the DHO. By Nalunkuuma Sharon Team Leader- KRC-Uganda, Kyaka field office
5. Feb 2025
Kabarole Research and Resource Center – Uganda
KRC-UGANDA, established in 1996, is a dedicated research, advocacy, and community development organization. At the heart of our mission lies the steadfast belief that meaningful, actionable data serves as the cornerstone for driving impactful development programs. With a proven commitment to fostering positive change and progress within communities, we strive to provide valuable insights that empower informed decision-making, ensuring sustainable and effective development initiatives. Join us in our journey towards a brighter future for Uganda and beyond.
