Sustainable Pathway to Food Security and Economic Growth in Karamoja: Reflecting on a Decade of Investments

12-14 September 2023 | Kampala, Uganda

Following over a decade of USAID’s investments, Karamoja is at a turning point: a prolonged drought, the food price cirsis, and increasing conflicts are undermining promising signs of progress towards food security and economic growth.

To that end, USAID/Uganda, with the technical leadership of Mercy Corps, and in partnership with the Horn of Africa Resilience Network, and Catholic Relief Services, and the Karamoja Resilience Support Unit (KRSU) invite you to join us for a learning event 12-14 September to reflect on sustainable pathways to food security and economic growth for Karamoja. The event will focus on three critical themes

  1. Sustaining food security and nutrition in Karamoja in light of compounding shocks
  2. Market-led approaches in humanitarian and dryland contexts
  3. Conflict dynamics and impact on humanitarian and development investments

This even will examine a decade of evidence from the Karamoja Resilience Support Unit, the Mercy Corps implemented Apolou program and the CRS-implemnted Nuyok, among others, and put forward keyrecommendations to strengthen collective impact in the Karamoja Region.

More information to be announced.

Agenda

Theme 1:Food Security in Light of Compound Shocks

Theme 2:Market Development in Humanitarian Contexts

Theme 3:Impact of Conflict on Karamoja


7:45 – 8:15 – Participant check-in (pick up conference packets)
8:15-10:15 – Welcome “Opening Remarks” and Keynotes

Opening Remarks:

  • Richard Nelson, USAID Uganda MIssion Director
  • Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF)

Keynote:

  • Andy Catley, Karamoja Resilience Support Unit (KRSU)
Opening Plenary

Moderator:

Olga Petryniak, Mercy Corps

Speakers:

  • Dr. Raphael Lotira Arasio, KRSU
  • Joseph Nangole Lobot, District Chairperson, Amudat
  • Sagar Pokharel, Apolou, Mercy Corps
  • Jami Montgomery, USAID, Bureau for Resilience and Food Security

10:15 -11:00 - COFFEE/ TEA BREAK

Opening Thematic Plenary 1

Economic Inclusion and Closing the Wealth Divide

Moderator:

Shaun Ferris, CRS

Speakers:

  • Mesfin Ayele, KRSU
  • Dr. Kathiya Dominic Lokeris, IGAD Center for Pastoral Areas & Livestock Development (ICPALD)
  • Collins Apuoyo, DAI
  • Namoe Santina, Women Farmers Association

12:15 - 13:30 - LUNCH

13:30 – 14:45 – Concurrent Sessions (Round 1)

1. Livestock and crops through a food security lens

Moderator:

Shaun Ferris, CRS

Contributors:

  • William Obonyo Otoko, Apolou, Mercy Corps
  • Moses Opio, Apolou, Mercy Corps
  • Eladu Frederic, Local Government, Kaabong
  • John Steven Okalang, JOSTO
  • Joseph Lomongin, Chief Administrative Officer, Kotido

2. Livestock and crops through a market lens

Moderators:

Maureen Kamusiime, Apolou, Mercy Corps; Catherine McMahon, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Habib Onifade, Swiss Contact
  • Gratian Nareebah, DAI
  • Daniel Hudner, Mercy Corps
  • Dr.Paul Lochap, Caritas Kotido
  • Namoe Santina, Women Farmers Association
  • Paul Lokol, District Chairperson, Nabilatuk

3. Livestock and crops through conflict lens

Moderator:

Babu Ayindo, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Dr. Raphael Lotira Arasio, KRSU
  • Erastus Kyalo, Cross-Border Community Resilience (CBCR), Chemonics
  • Ngura Chilla, Reformed Warrior
  • Abura Mary Rereng, Oyarakaape Livestock Enterprise Group (LEGS)
  • Major. Betty, Resident District Commissioner, Amudat
15:00 – 16:15 – Concurrent Sessions (Round 2)

4. Safety Nets for Shock-Response (Informal and Formal)

Moderator:

Allison Huggins, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Dr. Raphael Lotira Arasio, KRSU
  • Edonu Janaan, District Entomology Office Moroto / Resilience Strategy Development Secretariat
  • Jennifer Maurer, USAID Kenya/East Africa
  • Alex Chelimo, Chief Administrative Officer, Moroto

5. Financial Inclusion

Moderators:

Robinson Abote, Apolou, Mercy Corps; Vewonyi Adjavon, Nuyok, CRS

Contributors:

  • Anthony Mangeni, CRS
  • Apuun Kizito, PSP
  • Joseph Lomerinyang, PSP
  • Isaac Dikan, Ensibuuko
  • Emmanuel Ocen Eyuru, Chief Administrative Officer, Amudat

6. Off/Non-Farm Livelihoods

Moderator:

Catherine McMahon, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Gratian Nareebah, DAI
  • Barbara Athieno, Researcher
  • Paul Bolo, BOMA
  • Martijn Harlaar, Kara Tunga
  • Merab Twinomugisha, Finding XY
  • Naduk Florence, Matany Girls Vocational Institute
  • John Nangiro, District Chairperson, Nakapiripirit

16:15 - 16:30 - COFFEE/ TEA BREAK

16:30-17:00 – Closing Plenary

Economic Inclusion and Closing the Wealth Divide

8:00 – 8:30 – Participant check-in (pick up conference packets)
8:30 – 9:00 – Recap Thematic Plenary
9:00 – 10:30 – Opening Thematic Plenary 2

Strengthening the Natural Resource Base in Light of Climate Change

Moderator:

Yasin Salah, USAID Kenya/East Africa

Speakers:

  • Dr. Raphael Lotira Arasio, KRSU
  • Mark Guti, Ekisil, Mercy Corps
  • Loput Simon, Regional Resilience Strategy Development Secretariat

10:30 - 11:15 - COFFEE/ TEA BREAK

11:15- 12:30 – Concurrent sessions (Round 1)

1. Managing Pasture and Farmlands in Karamoja for Food Security

Moderator:

Olga Petryniak, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Dr. Darlington Akabwai, Researcher
  • Grace Itae, Women’s Peace Forum
  • Vewonyi Adjavon, Nuyok, CRS
  • Moses Opio, Apolou, Mercy Corps
  • Ochailap Filbert, Resident District Commissioner, Karenga

2. Managing Pasture and Farmlands in Karamoja for Vibrant Markets

Moderators:

Sylvester Abara, Apolou, Mercy Corps; Catherine McMahon, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Dr. Raphael Lotira Arasio , KRSU
  • Lochaale Felix Mark, District Chairperson, Karenga
  • John Paul Kodet, District Chairperson, Napak
  • Dr. Eladu Frederick, Kaabong Production Officer

3.Pasture and Farmland in a Changing Climate, and Conflict Dynamics

Moderator:

Dr. Lillian Linda, KRSU

Contributors:

  • Dr. Franklin Muhereza, Centre for Basic Research (CBR)
  • Mark Guti, Ekisil, Mercy Corps
  • Rose Adero, Women’s Peace and Development Forum
  • Ngura Chilla, Reformed Warrior
  • Onoria Ambrose, Resident District Commissioner, Kotido

12:30 - 14:00 - LUNCH

14:00 -15:15 – Concurrent Sessions (Round 2)

4. Water Security from a Food Security, Market Systems, and Conflict Lens

Moderator:

Florence Randari, Apolou, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Wilfred OKello,Regional Water Engineer, Soroti
  • Susan Audo, Apolou, Mercy Corps
  • Joseph Okuda, Apolou, Mercy Corps
  • Jino Meri, District Chairperson, Kaabong

5. Early Warning Systems from a Food Security and Market Systems lens

Moderator:

Sagar Pokharel, Apolou, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Geoffrey Muzuni, Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA)
  • Loput Simon, Regional Resilience Strategy Development Secretariat
  • Lodero Maria, Fore teller
  • Lawrence Wadada, District Chairperson, Nakapiripirit

6.Conflict and Early Warning Systems

Moderator:

Babu Ayindo, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Florence Kirabira, Conflict Early Warning and Response Unit (CEWERU) Uganda
  • Joseph Muhumuza,CREATE/Ekisil, Mercy Corps
  • Akorikin Francis, District Chairperson, Kapalibiyong
  • Logiro Peter, Local Government, (Former), Resident District Commissioner, Kotido
  • George William Wopuwa, Resident District Commissioner, Moroto

15:15 -16:00 - COFFEE/ TEA BREAK

16:00 -17:00 – Closing Plenary

Strengthening the Natural Resource Base in Light of Climate Change

8:00 – 9:00 – Participant check-in (pick up conference packets)
9:00 – 9:30 – Recap Thematic Plenary

Recap: Strengthening the Natural Resource Base in Light of Climate

Change Moderator: Joshua Wathanga, RLA;
Speakers: Community Voices

9:30 – 11:00 – Opening Thematic Plenary 3

Strengthening Social Inclusion and Local Governance

Moderator and Speaker:

Teddy Atim, KRSU

Contributors:

  • Julius Ssentongo, ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) Lab
  • Stephanie Adupa, Women Peace Forum
  • Jennifer Aanyu, District Nutrition Focal Person
  • Ataa Ruth Jesca, Nakere Rural Women Activist (NARWOA)

10:30 - 11:15 - COFFEE/ TEA BREAK

11:30 – 12:45 – Concurrent sessions (Round 1)

1. Social Inclusion from a Food Security and Market Systems lens

Moderator:

Florence Randari, Apolou, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Barbara Athieno, Researcher, Tufts
  • Lilian Ojanduru, Nuyok, CRS
  • Naduk Florence, Matany Girls Vocational Institute
  • Lily Akongo, GIRL H Mentor Karenga
  • Jennifer Akello, Uganda Health Activity
  • Emmy Ejuku Olaboro, Chief Administrative Officer, Nabilatuk

2. Social Inclusion from a Conflict lens

Moderator:

Babu Ayindo, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Dr. Sidonia Angom,Gulu University Constituent College (GUCC)
  • Erastus Kyalo, Cross-Border Community Resilience (CBCR), Chemonics
  • Ngura Chilla, Reformed Warrior
  • Grace Itae, Women’s Peace Forum
  • Dr. Jennifer Talbot, B4R Program, RTI
  • Okiria Micheal, Resident District Commissioner, Kaabong

3. Strengthening Local Governance for Karamoja

Moderator:

Sylvester Abara, Apolou, Mercy Corps

Contributors:

  • Beatrice Okware, Apolou, Mercy Corps
  • Nangole Lobot Joseph, District Chairperson, Amudat
  • Rosa Adero, Women’s Peace and Development Forum
  • Dr. Godfrey Bwanika, GB Consulting Associates Ltd – Omara Yuventine, District Chairperson, Abim

12:30 - 14:00 - LUNCH

14:00 – 15:45 – Closing Reflections, Closing Panel and Closing Remarks

Closing Reflections

Closing Panel: Highlights of the Learning Event
Moderator: Joshua Wathanga, RLA

Closing Remarks: Amie Beeler, USAID, Economic Growth Office

15:45 - 16:00 - COFFEE/ TEA BREAK

Event Resources

Catholic Relief Services

Youth Entrepreneurship Program: Lessons from the Nuyok Activity in Abim District

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration: Lessons from Nuyok’s Approach In Karamoja

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Effectiveness of Poverty Graduation in Improving Household Incomes Among Ultra- Poor Women in Napak District

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Beyond CLTS: Leveraging Social Mobilization to Address Sanitation and Hygiene in Karamoja through the Home Improvement Campaign (HIC)

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Karamoja Resilience Support Unit

Livestock in Karamoja: improving markets and veterinary services

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Fighting alcoholism in Karamoja

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Improving practice: enhancing pastoralism policy

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Tackling malnutrition: understanding local needs and factors behind seasonal hunger

Document

  • Uganda
  • Manuals
  • Resilience

Mercy Corps/Apolou

Gardening Under Drought Conditions: Using the Permagarden Approach to Improve Food Security and Income Generation for Mother Care Group Participants in Karamoja

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

The Impact of Community Mobilization Approaches on the Sustainability of Local Governance Structures

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Beyond CLTS: Learnings from Apolou’s Community-Led Total Sanitation Plus (CLTS+) Approach

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience

Learning from Different Models to Address Water Point Management in Karamoja: Apolou’s Integrated Community-Based Management System Plus (ICBMS+) Approach

Document

  • Uganda
  • Briefs
  • Resilience