Since the May 2020 floods in Kasese District that saw major rivers burst their banks destroying property worth millions of shillings, several displaced persons have remained in camps that were established at different schools premises by the District Authorities. Several households in Maliba, Kilembe, Kitholhu, Kyarumba sub counties, Nyamwamba Division and other areas of the District were most affected as they saw their houses, property, being washed away by the rivers that broke their banks. Since then most of these households have been surviving on donations from different compassionate organisations that have managed to deliver food stuffs, tauplines, clothings among others. The floods came amidst the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in the country causing a double tragedy to the people of Kasese District. During this period, there has also been a big cry and call especially among the women and girls of reproductive age that have found it hard accessing sanitary pads during their menstrual period times. This is one of the health concerns across all the IDP camps in the District. Gender-Environment and Development Action yesterday afternoon joined the cause and delivered some boxes of sanitary pads to the IDPs in Kanyangeya parish. Gender sensitivity is one of our core areas of intervention. Speaking to the leaders and citizens in the IDP Margret Kidima the Director humanitarian, protection and emergency GEDA Uganda consoled the floods victims and gave them a ray of hope that GEDA Uganda was going to start training the women in the making of re-usable sanitary pads for sustainability purposes. The training is going to target 30 women and young girls who will be given start up kits after the training to be TOTs to the rest of the women in the IDP camp. The women in the Kanyangeya IDP showed their appreciation to GEDA Uganda for
Since the May 2020 floods in Kasese District that saw major rivers burst their banks destroying property worth millions of shillings, several displaced persons have remained in camps that were established at different schools premises by the District Authorities.
Several households in Maliba, Kilembe, Kitholhu, Kyarumba sub counties, Nyamwamba Division and other areas of the District were most affected as they saw their houses, property, being washed away by the rivers that broke their banks. Since then most of these households have been surviving on donations from different compassionate organisations that have managed to deliver food stuffs, tauplines, clothings among others.
The floods came amidst the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in the country causing a double tragedy to the people of Kasese District.
During this period, there has also been a big cry and call especially among the women and girls of reproductive age that have found it hard accessing sanitary pads during their menstrual period times. This is one of the health concerns across all the IDP camps in the District.
Gender-Environment and Development Action yesterday afternoon joined the cause and delivered some boxes of sanitary pads to the IDPs in Kanyangeya parish. Gender sensitivity is one of our core areas of intervention. Speaking to the leaders and citizens in the IDP Margret Kidima the Director humanitarian, protection and emergency GEDA Uganda consoled the floods victims and gave them a ray of hope that GEDA Uganda was going to start training the women in the making of re-usable sanitary pads for sustainability purposes. The training is going to target 30 women and young girls who will be given start up kits after the training to be TOTs to the rest of the women in the IDP camp.
Margret Handing over the sanitary pads to the women in Kanyangeya.
The women in the Kanyangeya IDP showed their appreciation to GEDA Uganda for the provision of sanitary pads and promised to cooperate during the trainings in the make of reusable sanitary pads.
As Gender-Environment and Development Action we continue to preach the gospel of gender equity and equality and GBV prevention and promise to continue working with different stakeholders to combat gender based violence and Violence Against Children (VAC).
The roles of Ugandan women have been taken to be subordinate to those of men, despite the substantial economic and social responsibilities of women in Uganda's many traditional societies. Women are taught to accede to the wishes of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sometimes other men as well, and to demonstrate their subordination to men in most areas of public life. Even in the 1980s, women in rural areas of Buganda were expected to kneel when speaking to a man. At the same time, however, women shouldered the primary responsibilities for childcare and subsistence cultivation, and in the twenty first century, women have made substantial contributions to cash-crop agriculture. Much as the government and other development partners have had strides to preach and advocate for equality, there has been some adherence amidst some setbacks. This is no difference in the Rwenzori region where women still have the sole role of kitchen work, looking after children, farming, collecting fire wood, water to mention but a few, where as their male counter parts have to sit at the nearest trading centers, produce and sometimes provide for the family. This was witnessed during the recent catastrophe of floods that hit Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko Districts on the night of May 7th 2020 that saw several properties worth billions of money lost especially in Kasese District where about 5 main rivers burst their banks due to flooding. During a risk assessment conducted on 9th by our staff several touching stories from different affected women revealed their plight. In Maliba sub county Kasese District it was evident that women were at the fore front of the floods fight as they were seen carrying property, firewood and other belongings. An interview in the same place with Kabugho Sedress, 42 whose whole plantation was swept away revealed her plight.
The roles of Ugandan women have been taken to be subordinate to those of men, despite the substantial economic and social responsibilities of women in Uganda’s many traditional societies. Women are taught to accede to the wishes of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sometimes other men as well, and to demonstrate their subordination to men in most areas of public life.
Even in the 1980s, women in rural areas of Buganda were expected to kneel when speaking to a man. At the same time, however, women shouldered the primary responsibilities for childcare and subsistence cultivation, and in the twenty first century, women have made substantial contributions to cash-crop agriculture.
Much as the government and other development partners have had strides to preach and advocate for equality, there has been some adherence amidst some setbacks.
This is no difference in the Rwenzori region where women still have the sole role of kitchen work, looking after children, farming, collecting fire wood, water to mention but a few, where as their male counter parts have to sit at the nearest trading centers, produce and sometimes provide for the family.
This was witnessed during the recent catastrophe of floods that hit Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko Districts on the night of May 7th 2020 that saw several properties worth billions of money lost especially in Kasese District where about 5 main rivers burst their banks due to flooding.
Women crossing Kithakena river in Maliba running for their lives on an improvised bridge after the recently constructed one was swept away.
During a risk assessment conducted on 9th by our staff several touching stories from different affected women revealed their plight.
In Maliba sub county Kasese District it was evident that women were at the fore front of the floods fight as they were seen carrying property, firewood and other belongings.
An interview in the same place with Kabugho Sedress, 42 whose whole plantation was swept away revealed her plight. Kabugho is a widow and a mother of 7 children with only 4 still alive and she has to take care of their needs everyday as the only sole parent.
“I saw Kabugho fall in the river with firewood on her back, thank God she was saved but her firewood was swept away”, said our staff and eye witness in the field.
In Kakindo Village Maliba sub county 91 out of 120 households with a population of 1005 are affected by the floods.
Moving to Kasese municipality, it was the same story as it was in Maliba, women were seen in River Nyamwamba in Kilembe fetching firewood from the logs of trees that were pushed downstream by the floods. Just imagine that vulnerability just in case the water built afresh and found them in the river.
Women collecting firewood in Nyamwamba river.
It is evident that women still face and feel the pinch of these catastrophes compared to their male counter parts.
This has also come amidst the covid-19 lock down in Uganda where domestic violence has also increased still affecting women that have been battered.
As GEDA Uganda we have continued to engage and do referrals for GBV victims and our nutritional and kitchen gardening program has continued to bring hope to the faces of the women amidst the lockdown and now floods through the small start up kitchen gardening fund.
Kabugho being interviewed by Medius our staff.
As Gender Environment and Development Action, we have continued to Promote gender equity and equality, prevent and respond to violence against women and girls; boys and men. Through Men engage as our other area of our expertise; We are looking forward to an environment and world where all people are equal and free from discrimination – in which gender justice and human rights are pro.
We are also urging the Government to include GBV as a component as they offer relief during these hard times of Covid-19 and now floods in the Rwenzori region.
A repeat of the tragedy that happened in May 2013 has ravaged Kasese District and Bundibugyo Districts last night. The floods that started shortly after some rains last night started with Kilembe mines hospital loosing her buildings. The situation turned worst when rivers Nyamwamba running from Kilembe through Kasese town, Nyamugasani in Bukonzo East of the District, Mubuku in Busongora North and other streams burst their banks and spilled water into the nearby communities with rolling stones due to the bursting rivers. River Lamia in Bundibugyo District at the boarder of Uganda-DRC also burst its banks to destroy the neighbouring areas. Ntoroko District was also not spared. The heavy rains in the region saw a number of rivers in the three districts burst their banks due to flooding. In Kasese District the bursting of the above rivers has affected several parts including Kilembe, Basecamp, Parts of Nyamwamba Division-Saluti A&B, Kanyangeya, Kizungu, Kisagazi, Nyakasanga, Kyarumba in Bukonzo East, Bugoye, Karusandaara, Maliba-Kyanya In Busongora north among others. In Bundibugyo a number of areas affected include Lamiya I,II and Central, Mulungitanwa I,II, and III, Katoke, Kisenyi, Kitumba,Busunga among others. The floods come amidst the covid-19 lock down in Uganda and many other countries. This becomes a double tragedy for the people of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko Districts. Households in the most affected areas have remained homeless and as GEDA Uganda mothers, children and girls remaining highly vulnerable is our concern. We commit to our Gender agenda to assist in any ways possible especially the vulnerable groups. Our team is on ground to do the vulnerability assessment that will inform our next steps as quickly as possible. We continue to urge the Districts' disaster preparedness committees to integrate the issue of gender in their programming during this trying moment for the region.
A repeat of the tragedy that happened in May 2013 has ravaged Kasese District and Bundibugyo Districts last night. The floods that started shortly after some rains last night started with Kilembe mines hospital loosing her buildings.
The situation turned worst when rivers Nyamwamba running from Kilembe through Kasese town, Nyamugasani in Bukonzo East of the District, Mubuku in Busongora North and other streams burst their banks and spilled water into the nearby communities with rolling stones due to the bursting rivers.
River Lamia in Bundibugyo District at the boarder of Uganda-DRC also burst its banks to destroy the neighbouring areas. Ntoroko District was also not spared.
The heavy rains in the region saw a number of rivers in the three districts burst their banks due to flooding.
In Kasese District the bursting of the above rivers has affected several parts including Kilembe, Basecamp, Parts of Nyamwamba Division-Saluti A&B, Kanyangeya, Kizungu, Kisagazi, Nyakasanga, Kyarumba in Bukonzo East, Bugoye, Karusandaara, Maliba-Kyanya In Busongora north among others.
In Bundibugyo a number of areas affected include Lamiya I,II and Central, Mulungitanwa I,II, and III, Katoke, Kisenyi, Kitumba,Busunga among others.
Residents of Kilembe in Kasese Municipality stranded after roads were blocked by the floods.
The floods come amidst the covid-19 lock down in Uganda and many other countries. This becomes a double tragedy for the people of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko Districts.
Households in the most affected areas have remained homeless and as GEDA Uganda mothers, children and girls remaining highly vulnerable is our concern. We commit to our Gender agenda to assist in any ways possible especially the vulnerable groups. Our team is on ground to do the vulnerability assessment that will inform our next steps as quickly as possible.
Destroyed crops by floods on the slopes of Mt.Rwenzori-Kasese District
We continue to urge the Districts’ disaster preparedness committees to integrate the issue of gender in their programming during this trying moment for the region.
The deadly pandemic hit the world late last year in china and has since then moved all over to the whole world. Uganda registered her first case of covid 19 on 21st March 2020 and since then the cases have up to date raised to 55. There has been though a great management in Uganda that has led to now 28 recoveries of the patients. Due to the numerous measures especially the lock down GEDA Uganda also closed her physical office and currently staff work from home online. GEDA Uganda has since been doing a lot of information dissemination through radio programs, running radio messages/jingles in the local languages on the local radio stations, social media to sensitise the communities where they work about covid 19 and the preventive measures. These have been appreciated by several communities listening in to these programs. GEDA Uganda is in arrangement currently to do more information dissemination especially on Gender based violence related cases since these have reportedly increased during these days of lock down. As GEDA-Uganda this is one of the core mandates to tackle. GEDA Uganda hopes to also engage the local community mega phones for information dissemination. These are owned in the communities and highly listened to for information dissemination. We also continue to encourage everyone to stay home, wash hands regularly, keep social distancing and avoid touching the soft parts (mouth, eyes and nose) Together the virus will be defeated.
The deadly pandemic hit the world late last year in china and has since then moved all over to the whole world. Uganda registered her first case of covid 19 on 21st March 2020 and since then the cases have up to date raised to 55.
There has been though a great management in Uganda that has led to now 28 recoveries of the patients.
Due to the numerous measures especially the lock down GEDA Uganda also closed her physical office and currently staff work from home online.
GEDA Uganda has since been doing a lot of information dissemination through radio programs, running radio messages/jingles in the local languages on the local radio stations, social media to sensitise the communities where they work about covid 19 and the preventive measures.
These have been appreciated by several communities listening in to these programs.
GEDA Uganda is in arrangement currently to do more information dissemination especially on Gender based violence related cases since these have reportedly increased during these days of lock down. As GEDA-Uganda this is one of the core mandates to tackle.
GEDA Uganda hopes to also engage the local community mega phones for information dissemination. These are owned in the communities and highly listened to for information dissemination.
We also continue to encourage everyone to stay home, wash hands regularly, keep social distancing and avoid touching the soft parts (mouth, eyes and nose)
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. As the Rwenzori region it is very ideal that it is commemorated looking at the fragile region it has been and building block for peace is very mandatory here. This years' commemoration was organised in Kasese District and GEDA Uganda was part of the organizers of the function that was held at Boma Grounds, Kasese municipality on 21st September 2019. The chief guest was Hon.Alex Ruhunda the MP for Fort Portal Municipality who called on the citizens of the Rwenzori region to be one person in order to enhance development. The International theme of the commemoration was "Climate action for peace" and the Kasese theme was "Building bridges across cultures" As an environment sensitive institution we show cased one of the current technologies we are promoting the heat retention baskets that save alot of energy and thus saving the environment. For more details about heat retention baskets download full description here.
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
As the Rwenzori region it is very ideal that it is commemorated looking at the fragile region it has been and building block for peace is very mandatory here.
This years’ commemoration was organised in Kasese District and GEDA Uganda was part of the organizers of the function that was held at Boma Grounds, Kasese municipality on 21st September 2019. The chief guest was Hon.Alex Ruhunda the MP for Fort Portal Municipality who called on the citizens of the Rwenzori region to be one person in order to enhance development. The International theme of the commemoration was “Climate action for peace” and the Kasese theme was “Building bridges across cultures”
As an environment sensitive institution we show cased one of the current technologies we are promoting the heat retention baskets that save alot of energy and thus saving the environment.
For more details about heat retention baskets download full description here.
The situation turned worst when rivers Nyamwamba running from Kilembe through Kasese town, Nyamugasani in Bukonzo East of the District, Mubuku in Busongora North and other streams burst their banks and spilled water into the nearby communities with rolling stones due to the bursting rivers.
