Building a citizens’ agency in the Eastern Uganda

Building a citizens’ agency in the Eastern Uganda

This project is aimed at building assertive, inclusive and equitable democratic societies using sugarcane production as the launching pad in the 6 districts of Bugiri, Kaliro, Mayuge, Iganga, Jinja and Kamuli in Eastern Uganda. In this process, building citizens actions through movement building is key in ensuring they advocate for improvement of processes and institutions for better livelihood especially in the sugar cane production which is one of the most prominent economic activities in these districts.  We therefore use the sugarcane growing as the launching pad for movement building because it has become a contentious issue that has pitched leaders with their constitutes in various ways. The involvement of the elite and key government leaders either taking over lands or influencing the sugarcane sales and management is evident in the many transactions made although in a covert way. 

URI thus works in the 6 districts but with a multiplier effect in the other eastern areas to empower the communities with the necessary civic competencies to be in position to advocate for their issues as a regional movement. We work with the already existing sugarcane growers Unions and Associations in some areas while forming some in other areas that don’t have.  Involvement of the religious, cultural and political leaders at different levels in these processes is also key. The project.