MS Uganda September 2006 Bulletin

The Democracy Launch

Welcome to the MS Uganda September 2006 News Bulletin which focuses on the programme and activities that MS and partners are involved in.

Vibeke Quaade, Information Officer

30. September 2006

Democracy Launch

Together with Uganda’s National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) MS Uganda launched “Democracy as a way of life” - a series of democracy education materials on September 14th. The launch took place at the Sheraton in Kampala and more than 400 people, including politicians, partners and other stakeholders, participated in the lively, and sometimes rather heated, debate. While the democracy team introduced the materials and defined democracy in daily life, a Forum Theatre intervention by IATM clearly illustrated their points. And by the end of the day the democracy team had almost “sold out” the democracy handbooks, posters and debate cards they had brought along. We congratulate the democracy team for the good work—and look forward to a plan of how to launch “Democracy as a way of life” up country.

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PEOPLE
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New Development Worker— ECOVIC: Kikuvi Kenneth Mbinda will start as DW for ECOVIC October 16th. Kikuvi Mbinda is a Danish citizen originally from Kenya. He has a Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Roskilde University in Denmark and has previously worked for MS as a DW in Lesotho and Zambia. Kikuvi Mbinda is married to Kirsten Mbinda and they have two children aged 25 and 18, who will remain in Denmark. Kikuvi Mbinda’s email is kikuwimba@yahoo.dk. Welcome.

Goodbye to Vibeke Rask Grøn: After nine months as a development worker for RDP Information Advisor Vibeke Rask Grøn moves back to Denmark. Vibeke takes up her old position as a radio correspondent at the Danish Broadcasting Association. Samples of Vibeke’s work in Uganda can be read in the October issue of MS Uganda’s Newsletter. We wish Vibeke good luck back in DK.

New Programme Officer—Southern Sudan: On October 2nd Emmanuel Misaka took up the position of Programme Officer for Southern Sudan. Emmanuel has previously worked as Programme Coordinator for Sudan Health Association (SUHA) and as team leader for World Relief (WR). Emmanuel holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management of Development Projects from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi. It has taken quite a while to find the right candidate for the PO position, and we warmly welcome Emanuel Misaka.

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THE PROGRAMME
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Taking research back to the community

The results of Yiga Ng'Okola’s report "Poverty is powerlessness – Who are the poor in Eastern Uganda?", which was launched 29th June 2006 at Speke Hotel in Kampala, are now being presented to and discussed with the involved communities and households in Kumi, Palisa, Sironko, Mbale and the new Bukedea district. With this approach the team behind the poverty study will validate the report by bringing the results back to communities and getting their opinions as a group. The report is being discussed by groups of women and men seperately, and in smaller focus groups of youth and older people. The idea is that their suggestions will be used both within the Yiga Ng'Okola projects and in the planning process in the local government.

Tackling Corruption in Universal Primary Education

The Anti Corruption Week, which originally was planned to take place 23rd—29th Oct. has been pushed one week. Instead it will be carried out 30th Oct.—4th Nov. However, the activities in Gulu will take place as initially planned 23rd—29th October. The theme of this year’s Anti Corruption Week is Tackling Corruption in Universal Primary Education. The Anti Corruption Coalition of Uganda is responsible for the overall planning of the week. For more information: http://www.anticorruption.or.ug

PAB meeting 6th-7th October in Kampala

The coming PAB meeting is taking place in Kampala 6th— 7th October. On the agenda is an update on the MS Uganda programme and the status of the Democracy Audit. The Country Programme Strategy will also be discussed and the impact of our DWs work. Finally the theme of the 2007 AGM will be decided. For more information about the PAB meeting please contact Jane O’Chan email: jo.msuga@ms.or.ug.

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FROM MS DENMARK
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Focus on gender

A team of two gender specialists from MS Denmark is visiting MS Uganda 4th-8th October to review the Country Programme’s gender policy and practices. The team will also visit Zambia and Nepal and the trip is part of integrating a MS gender policy into the democracy focus of the entire organisation.

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PROGRAMME OFFICERS OUT AND ABOUT.......
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Japhes Mukiibi-Biimbwa is not available at the Country Office:

23th-30th Oct, 9th-10th Nov, 14th-18th Nov, 23th-24th & 28th Nov.

Doreen Ruta is not available at the Country Office:

11th-12th Oct, 23rd-29th Oct.

Enoch Mugabi is not available at the Country Office:

5th Oct, 17th-19th Oct, 19th-24th Oct, 25th-28th Oct, 31st Oct, 2nd-3rd Nov,

7th-9th Nov, 13th-21st Nov.

For all DWs, staff and non-staff

The Accounts Office is open for making payments:

Monday—Thursday: 9:00 am—1:30pm, Friday: 9:00 am—4:30 pm