Assumpta Ikirriza Tibamwenda Global South-South Development Expo INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE NEW COMMUNITIES (ISNC) PROJECT; A CASE OF UGANDA “Re-invigorating Volunteerism; Communities as Drivers of Development” Assumpta Ikirriza Tibamwenda t.assumpta@gmail.com Uganda Global South-South Development Expo Dubai November 2016

About Uganda Location – Eastern Africa bordered by South Sudan in the North, Kenya in the East, Tanzania and Rwanda in the South and Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. Population: 34.6 million people 51% female, 55% below 18years, 23%(18 – 30 years) are youth Category – Least Developed Country Population below poverty line: 19.7% GDP per Capita – 675.6 Major economic activity – Agriculture Principles of Governance – Decentralization Vision 2040 – “A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years” NDP II Target – Middle Income Country by 2020!

Uganda’s System of Governance Decentralization – Adopted in 1992 Primarily to democratize state power and transform society by empowering citizens to take charge of their development agenda for a better life Local Government System Districts 115 Municipal Councils 41 Sub Counties 1463 Villages 58,051 Local Governments Constituted by popularly elected Councils; Empowered to deliver services in their jurisdiction; Accountable to the communities; The first interface between Government and the grass roots District Municipal Council Sub County Division Parish Ward Village Cell Local Government Structure in Uganda Rural Urban City Town Council Grassroots

Inclusive and Sustainable New Communities ISNC is entrenched in the existing system and frameworks of governance – Decentralization Policy, Local Economic Development Policy and Local Government System Builds on: Korea’s SMU model – Korea’s experience in implementation of SMU in the 1970’s to address the endemic poverty The principles of: Self help, Diligence and Cooperation Uganda’s experience in the early 1960’s on volunteerism Objectives– “To support Uganda's transformation through community-driven integrated and sustainable local development” Expected Results Strengthened Institutional system of local development; Enhanced cohesiveness and Inclusiveness of community development; Improved and increased local resources and financing mechanisms; Scale-up of proven sustainability innovations; and Generated knowledge is documented and disseminated Project Implementation: Piloted in 3 Local Governments (LGs) representing Greater North, Central and Western regions of Uganda A total of 15 communities - 5 SMU communities in each locality One year of implementation, since July 2015

Early Results! Community in Kabarole opening a Community Access Road Resuscitation of volunteerism amongst communities - ISNC given local names: Ssalongo; Eisini Lyobwabwavu, Karo Karungi (d.t- the big one, the scum of poverty, Good Village), [108 SMU CHAMPIONS 33% Female] Improved self help (I can do it ) attitude amongst communities Significant cost reduction in expenditure for Operation & Maintenance of basic service delivery facilities Empowerment of vulnerable people through Income Generating Projects (women, youth and elderly) [650: 274 Women, 376 Male] Harmony and cohesiveness at community level thus reducing crime rates, conflicts Increased interface between communities and Government officers [1,980 Community members: 1,002 Female, 878 Male] Formation of organized and needs based community groups able to develop local solutions tailored to their needs [242 SMU Community groups: 51% of the membership are female Generation of innovative and local solutions to local challenges – tree planting for environment mitigation, eco-cooking stoves as alternative sources of energy, micro irrigation and farming technics; Knowledge exchange and transfer amongst communities [45 Project stakeholders were trained on business skills : 16 Women, 29 men] Community in Kabarole opening a Community Access Road Community in Kabarole District cleaning a Rural Growth Centre Community in Luuka participating in a Village Planning Meeting Goat project at Tusubira SMU GROUP, Luuka

Early Lessons! SMU Model provides a low cost yet catalytic and transformational approach to community development ISNC modality provides a launch pad for domesticating the SDGs Goals 1,2,3, 5, 6,8 and 16 Mindset change is a process Start from the known! The ISNC access criteria and its successful application has been leveraged for other government programmes There is an overwhelming demand for the ISNC model in the communities outside the project area

CONCLUSION ISNC as a development solution: Stimulates active participation and inclusion in the development process Provides a cost-effective highroad for resource delivery to the grassroots Leverages community support for uptake of Government policies and programmes Generates knowledge to influence policies on community empowerment Is an important model for domesticating and realising the SDGs I THANK YOU! FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.