Moroto, Uganda – November 5, 2024
Share An Opportunity Uganda (SAO Uganda) held a significant feedback meeting with district leaders from Napak, Nakapiripirit and Nabilatuk in Moroto to present findings from a comprehensive situation analysis in the North and North Eastern regions of Uganda. SAO Uganda, a Christian child-focused organization founded in 1991 and affiliated with the Baptist Union of Uganda, aims to promote holistic development for children and communities across Uganda.
The feedback session, attended by key district leaders from Napak, Nakapiripirit, and Nabilatuk, outlined SAO’s strategic objectives, including child protection, sustainable livelihoods, youth engagement, health improvement, disaster management, and institutional strengthening.
SAO Uganda’s Acting National Director, Emmanuel Sakira, expressed gratitude for the cooperation received from local leaders, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to a sustainable, community-centered development model that aligns with the Government of Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) IV.
During the presentation, SAO Uganda’s Project Area Coordinator, Bobby Denis Bombita highlighted some stark statistics from the situation analysis:
1. Nakapiripirit District:
- Poverty levels are at a concerning 59.5%, with chronic food insecurity affecting 39% of households.
- Malnutrition is also high, with 11.8% of children affected.
- Illiteracy remains a major issue, with 72% of residents unable to read or write, while male disengagement in family life is prevalent—many fathers reportedly do not even know the names of their children.
- A strong dependency on food aid, particularly from the World Food Programme (WFP), has fostered a “handout mentality” that hinders sustainable development.
2. Nabilatuk District:
- Malaria (31%) and diarrhea (22%) are major health concerns, while only 50% of the population has access to safe water, and latrine coverage is at a low 16%.
- Social institutions like schools and health centers are sparse, with many communities living in Manyatta settlements.
- Security remains a pressing issue, with internal cattle raids disrupting community cohesion and increasing vulnerability.
3. Napak District:
- With a population of 142,224, Napak has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the country, at 81.3% among adults.
- Alarmingly, 77.5% of children aged 6-15 are not attending school, and over 95% of children on the streets of Kampala trace their roots back to Napak.
- Health challenges include high incidences of malaria (41%) and respiratory infections (32%) among children. Only 44% of households have pit latrines, reflecting significant public health challenges.
While Napak benefits from fertile land suitable for agriculture, underutilization and child neglect remain persistent barriers to progress.
The LCV Chairperson of Napak, John Paul commended SAO Uganda for its commitment to transparency, highlighting the gravity of the statistics and urging the organization to tailor its interventions to address these critical issues.
“SAO Uganda’s commitment to sharing these findings is rare and deeply appreciated. It reflects a genuine partnership and respect for local leaders as we work to overcome these challenges together.” He said, as he drew attention to the urgent need for SAO Uganda’s advocacy work, especially in supporting education by pushing for government-coded schools to receive essential funding.
The DCAO of Napak, Robert Abia Owilli highlighted the complex factors at play, including cultural norms, that contribute to child neglect and poverty. “Our society’s changing values are leaving many children vulnerable,” he stated. “SAO’s insights offer us a mirror, showing us where we must focus to protect the rights and futures of our children.”
As a part of SAO Uganda’s response, the Program Manager outlined plans for baseline studies and advocacy initiatives to ensure that school coding, teacher support, and other resources reach underserved areas.
“We are committed to addressing these challenges in partnership with district leaders, community members, and government agencies.” He said
By working closely with local stakeholders, SAO Uganda aims to dismantle barriers to education, healthcare, and child protection.
Leave a Reply