1. 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
Uganda
Global South-South Development Expo
Dubai
November 2016

2. 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!

3. 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
Municipal Councils
Sub Counties
Villages ,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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.