By: Nelson Kukundakwe
Date: 07/10/2022
Construction site of the Tilenga project area in Buliisa district.
There are 4,901 project affected persons-PAPs under the EACOP project in Uganda. The 1,443km crude oil export pipeline will transport Uganda's crude oil from Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani peninsula near Tanga port in Tanzania.
Living Earth Uganda is one of the organizations contracted by Total Energies EP Uganda B.V, the lead developer of the Tilenga project area to help with the restoration of livelihoods of PAPs through the Agriculture Support Service Project (ASSP) RAP2-5 in the Districts of Buliisa, Kikuube and Hoima (Albertine region) for a period thirty-six (36) months effective March 2022.
The main objective of the project is to support farmers to access and utilize good agronomical practices so as to improve their household incomes levels through Agricultural Extension services, Crop Improvement services, Tree nursery services, and Livestock improvement services.
The project targets these affected persons (PAPs) from 3,990 households found in 56 villages and 8 sub-counties of Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube Districts.
We deployed a team of experienced experts composed of professionals in various disciplines related to the ASSP who undertook the implementation of the project.
A number of preliminary activities were taken ahead of implementation, from mobilization of experienced cadres, to identifying and categorizing of PAPs, Identification of host farmers and demo establishment as well as rigorous trainings of both staff and PAPs.
Living earth Uganda Staff members during one of the toolbox meetings in Buliisa head office
We started with a few members of staff managing several major project output areas such as crop management, livestock management, Community Liaison officer who is typically in charge of community mobilization and engagement activities. With a team of 49 staff now, we are able to achieve more within ideal time frames.
This team has been actively involved in the stakeholder engagements and mobilization of PAPs and many other key project stake holders such as district leaders.
“We identify with our stake holders from district to local government levels. They come to us for consultations, and we also seek their support often, and this gives us confidence that what we do meets required standards” says Joseph Kansiime, the field coordinator and a Senior Agronomist.
Mobilizing (PAPS) and categorising them into project areas of choice e.g. Crop management, Livestock management and Tree management was one of the immediate achievements as soon as the project started.
