Living Earth Uganda (LEU) was entrusted by Total Energies EP Uganda B.V., the primary developer of the Tilenga project area, to execute the Agriculture Support Service Project (ASSP) RAP2-5 across Buliisa, Kikuube, and Hoima Districts over a duration of thirty-six (36) months, commencing March 2022.
The overarching aim of this initiative is to empower farmers in adopting and implementing effective agronomic practices to enhance their household incomes. This will be achieved through the provision of Agricultural Extension, Crop Improvement, Tree Nursery, and Livestock Improvement services.
The project’s reach extends to 4,901 Project Affected Persons [PAPs] from 3,990 households, residing in 56 villages and 8 sub-counties within Buliisa, Hoima, and Kikuube Districts.
Living Earth Uganda assembled a proficient team of experts, comprising professionals from diverse fields relevant to the ASSP, who are actively engaged in project execution. Early-stage staff mobilization was successfully conducted, ensuring that all project personnel are thoroughly briefed on their roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures.
A robust monitoring and evaluation framework was established to track progress and outcomes, aligning with predefined Standard Operating Procedures. This systematic approach enables transparent assessment and reporting of project achievements.
Stakeholder Engagement and Community Integration
To ensure the success of the project, comprehensive stakeholder participation was imperative. This involved identifying and engaging local council leadership, technical teams, service providers, and other development partners. Through a series of meetings, roles and responsibilities were harmonized, providing stakeholders with a clear understanding of the project, its objectives, and anticipated outcomes.
Geographical clusters were established within the project area, namely Buliisa district and Hoima-Kikuube districts, facilitating streamlined coordination efforts. Beneficiaries (PAPs) under each RAP (2-5) were mobilized and organized into enterprise-based farmer groups to facilitate peer learning and knowledge dissemination during project implementation.
Moreover, PAPs were guided in forming appropriate committees, such as District Resettlement Committees (DIRCOs) and Resettlement Planning Committees (RPCs), at various levels of project implementation for effective coordination. Leveraging existing structures enhances work efficiency and ensures alignment with community needs.
Mr. Joseph Kansiime, the field project coordinator underscores the project’s commitment to prioritizing vulnerable groups and primary PAPs severely affected by the project.
“Our central focus is on ensuring that the vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those who were severely affected have their lives restored in the best way possible,” he affirms.
