New Project for conserving Lake Bunyonyi Launched in Kabale District.

By Alex Byakatonda

Communications officer-Kabale

27/04/2023.

Self Help Africa has launched a new project dubbed “Growing Resilience and Eco- Enterprises (GREEN)”, aimed at improving the livelihood of smallholder farmers, targeting women, and youths in the selected areas of Kabale and Rubanda districts.

During the inception meeting on Wednesday at Whitehorse Inn Makanga in Kabale Municipality, the Self Help Africa-SHA project Manager, Neftari Mugizi, said that the three-year project, which will be implemented with funding from the Community Foundation for Ireland in conjunction with Rubanda and Kabale district local governments, is aimed at enhancing resilience of smallholder farmers, women, and youth in the green economy around Lake Bunyonyi Sub Catchment specifically in the sub counties of Rubaya and Butanda in Kabale district and Muko Sub County in Rubanda district.

Mugizi added that they are targeting 1000 direct women and youth participants who are smallholder farmers, and 5000 direct and indirect participants around Lake Bunyonyi.

He added that “Growing Resilience and Eco- Enterprises (GREEN) program”, is a continuation of the “Striking a Balance Developing a Green around Lake Bunyonyi” program, which was a 5 year program, which ended last year, that Self Help Africa was implementing around Lake Bunyonyi with funding from Irish Aid.

Mugizi, adds that the program’s main focus will be to increase agricultural production and productivity for equitable food and nutrition security, increase financial inclusion, green growth, and market development among others by equipping them with skills and knowledge of smallholder farmers, women, and youth on natural resources management.

Speaking at the inception meeting, the Kabale District Natural Resources Officer, Henry Tumwesigye commended Self Help Africa for the project adding that will add up on where other its projects had stopped.

The Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ronald Bakak, said that such projects need supervision by extension workers, although he expressed dismay at how these extension workers have a tendency of neglecting their responsibilities.

END