Members of Parliament, Lamwo District leaders commend EmpowerU Cash+ programme
“We are happy with the support you have given the households to improve the lives of the children.”
Nestled along the extensive border of Uganda and South Sudan, Lamwo District is said to host the highest influx of refugees in Uganda. With a population of nearly 140,000 people (both host communities and refugees), Lamwo’s social protection challenges cannot be overemphasized.
In order to address these challenges, a holistic package had to be devised. In partnership with the Development Response to Displacements Impact Project (DRDIP), UNICEF with funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands devised the EmpowerU Cash+ programme, which saw select families receive cash transfers for six months. This was complemented with protection, health, education and nutrition services. Savings and skills training was an integral part of the package and was provided by DRDIP not only to beneficiaries but also non-beneficiaries.
The goals of the programme were to provide humanitarian cash transfers to children in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity; develop skillsets and referral pathways to sustainable income generating activities; and foster a savings culture that would cushion communities from acute shocks.
The programme targeted a maximum of four children per household with a transfer of Shs45,000 per a month per a child, totaling to Shs180,000 for each beneficiary household per a month. Money was dispatched every two months making it three payment cycles.
At the last such disbursement in October 2023, Members of Parliament and the Lamwo District Local Government leadership were equal in praise of the programme. “We came to learn how this programme has benefitted people and which insights we can take back to parliament in order to advocate for better social protection services,” says Emmanuel Ongiertho, the Member of Parliament for Jonam in West Nile and Vice Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection.
“We are going back as more energized ambassadors of social protection because on this trip in Lamwo, we have seen what support to these households can do for people,” he adds. However, he cautions the beneficiaries about proper use of their money. “The purpose of the project was to give you a startup so that you can stand on your own, which you have said you can,” he emphasizes after listening to the testimonies of several beneficiaries.
One such testimony came from James Rizik of Zone 5B in Block 8 in Palabek Settlement who has been able to pay fees and buy school uniform for his children. “My children no longer go to school with bare feet. They now have sandals,” he says with a smile. “They are happy to be able to go back to school thanks to this programme,” he adds.
Rizik has been able to start a poultry business on top of looking after pigs. “I came from South Sudan with nothing. Now, I also have some savings in our village saving scheme,” he reveals before making a wish. “There are many people who were not able to benefit from this programme, I wish it could be extended,” he prays.
Oyet Sisto Ocen, the Lamwo District Local Government Chairperson was proud of what has been achieved. “We are happy with the support you have given the households to improve the lives of the children,” he says. “The impact of this programme will go beyond the six months. Already, we are seeing less attacks on gardens for food because many of the beneficiaries have been able to grow their own food,” he adds.
His words were corroborated by Aligamoi Alex Lino who has since rented land to grow food crops such as cassava. “With less food being distributed by international agencies, many of us were facing at a future full of hunger. Now, we can be able to grow our own food, which is going to make us live sustainable lives and raise our children the way we want to,” he adds.
It is such stories that prompted Geoffrey Osborne Ochieng, the Resident District Commissioner of Lamwo to urge the Parliament of Uganda to take up the programme. “If this programme has worked in Lamwo, it means it can work elsewhere,” he said. “Social protection gives people hope to live, to have their dreams and work hard to achieve their aspirations. Many people who have benefitted from this programme will never be the same again,” he adds.
On his part, Tawanda Chinembiri, the Social Policy Manager at UNICEF Uganda pledged the organization’s support with other interventions. “Even though this programme is ending, other interventions will continue in both host communities and settlements,” he reassured the people of Lamwo.
He said that it was pleasing that there are beneficiaries such as Evelyn Adok who have used the money to buy a goat every month, start a soybean garden and send their children to school. “Evelyn’s testimony shows the potential that we have been able to register in Lamwo and this has only been possible because of the support of all the stakeholders,” he concludes.
