All posts by Caroline Namara

Addressing Land Access Challenges in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement: The Role of Community Peace Keepers

Addressing Land Access Challenges in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement: The Role of Community Peace Keepers

Uganda is grappling with land access challenges in refugee settlements due to reduced funding and food ration cuts. These challenges have had a severe impact on vulnerable refugees with limited income, many of whom struggle to afford land for cultivation as an alternative means of food production. In Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, where renting half an acre of land costs between UGX 70,000 and UGX 150,000, many refugees find it nearly impossible to secure farmland. Despite these challenges, KRC-Uganda’s Community Peace Keepers, trained under the EU-Land Project with funding from the European Union, have played a pivotal role in managing land-related conflicts in Yangani and Abiriamajo Clusters. Through mediation and counselling […]

Uganda Expands Rhino Camp to Accommodate Growing Refugee Population

Uganda Expands Rhino Camp to Accommodate Growing Refugee Population

Uganda faces a growing influx of refugees, specifically from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The increasing numbers have put pressure on existing settlements, leading authorities to open new zones in Rhino Camp, located in the West Nile region. The new zones opened are Wanguru and Zone 8 in Madi Okollo DistrictAccording to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Rhino Camp, which already hosts thousands of refugees, has been stretched beyond capacity. The continuous arrival of asylum seekers has necessitated the expansion of settlement areas to provide adequate shelter, food, and essential services. Many new arrivals cite […]

A taste of safety: Uncovering the food safety concerns in Fort Portal City food markets

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 […]

BANK LOAN TRANSFORMS A SINGLE MOTHER’S LIFE, HELPING HER REBUILD AND START BUSINESS

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 […]

Nutrition Situation of Children in Kyegegwa District

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 […]

Empowering Refugees Through Communication: Radio Distribution In Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement

Empowering Refugees Through Communication: Radio Distribution In Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement

In the heart of Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, where thousands of displaced individuals navigate the challenges of daily life, a transformative initiative is reshaping how communities connect with the world around them. As part of the Sustainable Transition to Locally Led Emergency and Protection Services (STEPS) project, KRC-Uganda, with funding from the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), has distributed portable radios to refugees, offering a lifeline of information and hope. This initiative, known as BE THERE, is empowering communities through the simple yet powerful medium of radio, providing access to essential information and fostering a sense of belonging among displaced populations. STEPS Project team distributing radios to […]

KRC-UGANDA PARTICIPATES IN THE AFRICAN UNION CAADP SUMMIT

KRC-UGANDA PARTICIPATES IN THE AFRICAN UNION CAADP SUMMIT

I had the privilege of representing KRC-Uganda as a speaker at the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Summit held from January 9th to 11th, 2025, at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort and Convention Centre in Kampala, Uganda. This landmark three-day summit, themed “Building Resilient Agri-Food Systems in Africa,” brought together over 2,000 delegates from 43 African Union (AU) member states, including development partners, heads of state, and agriculture experts, all committed to shaping a sustainable future for Africa’s agriculture. One of the key outcomes of the summit was the endorsement of the Kampala Declaration 2026–2035 by the President of Uganda. This declaration reaffirms African governments’ commitment to allocating 10% of […]

VALUE OF UGANDAN VANILLA: A GLOBAL COMMODITY ROOTED IN LOCAL LABOR

VALUE OF UGANDAN VANILLA: A GLOBAL COMMODITY ROOTED IN LOCAL LABOR

Vanilla is known worldwide for its smooth, sweet flavour, much of its appeal comes from vanillin, the key compound that gives vanilla beans their signature taste. Beyond flavour, vanilla offers benefits that go beyond the kitchen. It’s packed with antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by everyday wear and tear. Vanilla’s calming aroma is also widely used to reduce stress and elevate mood, making it not just a luxury in food but a valuable asset for mental well-being. Vanilla grown by Mr. Masereke Misach in Mabere Subcounty Bundibugyo District Uganda has gained a strong reputation for producing some of the finest vanilla in the world. Second only […]

ENHANCING STORE MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING OF CORN-SOYA BLEND (CSB)

ENHANCING STORE MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING OF CORN-SOYA BLEND (CSB)

Effective store management and careful handling of food supplies, like Corn-Soya Blend (CSB), play a critical role in ensuring the well-being of communities. To address specific challenges related to food storage and safety, KRC-Uganda, with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), developed a training program to promote best practices, reduce food losses, and guarantee food safety. This training covers essential areas, beginning with inventory control and meticulous record-keeping to avoid shortages and prevent wastage. Accurate records, consistent stock monitoring, and applying the first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle ensure that the CSB remains fresh and available when needed. Another key focus is maintaining proper storage conditions, emphasizing that storage areas for […]

CHILDREN AND CONFLICT: RESILIENCE AND PEACEBUILDING AT RHINO REFUGEE SETTLEMENT CAMP

CHILDREN AND CONFLICT: RESILIENCE AND PEACEBUILDING AT RHINO REFUGEE SETTLEMENT CAMP

As the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Rhino Refugee Settlement Camp in Uganda’s West Nile region, I have witnessed the profound impact conflict has on children. Nestled within the Terego and Madi-Okolo districts, Rhino Camp serves as a refuge for families escaping violence and instability. In these challenging environments, addressing the effects of war on children and actively involving them in peacebuilding efforts is not just important, it’s imperative. Humanitarian actors empowering adolescents during an EASE session Children in conflict zones often emerge as the most vulnerable population, facing immense trauma, loss, and displacement. The scars from these experiences can have lasting psychological effects. However, with the right support, […]