Category Archives: Governance, Policy & Advocacy

Response to the Influx of Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo at Nyakabande Transit Centre.

Response to the Influx of Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo at Nyakabande Transit Centre.

In response to the recent influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Kabarole Research and Resource Centre (KRC), in consortium with World Vision Uganda and Plan International, and with support from START FUND, has been actively delivering comprehensive protection services to address the urgent needs of affected populations at Nyakabande Transit Centre. Child Protection: KRC has prioritized the protection of vulnerable children, especially unaccompanied and separated minors. Through timely case management, family tracing, and the establishment of child-friendly spaces, these children have gained access to psychosocial support and safe environments that promote their well-being and development. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response: Recognizing the heightened risks of GBV […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become common challenges for many. Amidst the chaos, mindfulness meditation has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting mental well-being and enhancing the quality of life  Caregivers practicing mindfulness meditation during a training session Mindfulness meditation is a practice that involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. It encourages individuals to observe their thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise, fostering a greater awareness of the present. Unlike other forms of meditation that may focus on specific goals or outcomes, mindfulness is about being fully engaged in the here and now. Starting a mindfulness meditation practice is simple. Begin by setting […]

Gender Discrimination against Women and Girls

Gender Discrimination against Women and Girls

Gender discrimination occurs when one sex is favoured over the other, leading to disadvantages for the opposite gender. In our society, we frequently encounter such discriminatory situations between women/girls and men/boys. Globally, it is estimated that 736 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner at least once in their lives, with 30% of women aged 15 and older affected (UN Women, 2023). In the same report, most violence against women is perpetrated by current and or former or intimate partners. More than 640 million or 26 % of women aged 15 years and older have been subjected to intimate partner violence. […]

Community Conversation Spark Community Nutrition Action

Community Conversation Spark Community Nutrition Action

Community conversations, commonly referred to as CC, are a nonlinear process that facilitates open and free discussions among community members about issues affecting their daily lives, enabling them to devise local action plans and solutions. In Misenyi village, Kakabara sub-county, the issue of malnutrition and stunting emerged as a critical concern during one of the CC sessions facilitated by youth champions under the Young Africa Works program, Cohort 3, in Kyegegwa district. Identifying this issue, two youth champions from the Misenyi Group of Hope, a local VSLA, raised it with the nutrition focal persons at Kakabara Health Center III. This led to their selection for training as Nutrition Lead Mothers […]