Excitement as cash for work kicks off in Karamoja
Napwan Margaret’s face lights up with a warm smile as she joins the bustling crowd gathered in Lomario village, Nakiloro Parish, in Rupa Subcounty, Moroto District. The long-awaited Cash for Work project has finally arrived, bringing hope to Karamoja’s drought-stricken communities.
“I’m thrilled to work and earn money for my family,” Napwan says, clutching her registration form and a hoe. “A road to our local market will change everything. We’ll sell our produce and buy essentials without struggle.”
She is a trader who deals in tomatoes, silver fish, groundnuts paste and salt which she takes for sale in a local market every Friday in Nanyidik; a nearby village whose access had been cut off due to the absence of an access road for years.
“I would spend Ugx Shs 10,000 (equivalent of 2.7 United States Dollars) for a return journey to the market and this was affecting my profits. This forced me to be walking for over 7 kilometers every market day”, Napwan said while wiping sweat from her face.
For years, residents of Lomario village have taken a lengthy detour to bypass a thicket, just to reach the nearby market. The arduous journey has stifled economic growth and isolated the community.
This challenge is all too familiar to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has been working to improve livelihoods in Karamoja. Through the Building Resilience in Conflict affected and Fragile Communities of Karamoja (BRICK) project, funded by Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by strong partnerships of selected NGOs which include Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja, Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO), Grassroot Alliance for Rural Development, Better World and Warrior Squad Foundation, BRICK aims to address the region’s pressing needs.
According to the 2022, Karamoja cluster rapid conflict analysis and gender assessment report for Kenya and Uganda commissioned by UNDP, the main triggers and drivers of conflicts in Karamoja include: persistent socio-economic and political inequalities, marginalization and poverty. These have been exacerbated by climate change and environmental stressors, cross border proliferation of small arms and light weapons, conflict legacies, disarmament inadequacies, commercialization of cattle rustling, emergence of conflict alliances for distribution of cattle, and unemployment. Climate variability such as recurring droughts, flash floods and prolonged dry spells, has had adverse effects on the region, considering that pastoralism is a dominant socio-economic activity and source of livelihood for most of the population.
The interventions under the project align to the United Nations and Government cross border coordinated efforts for the Karamoja region under the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding signed between Kenya and Uganda.
“Improving road accessibility is crucial for connecting communities and facilitating economic growth. Through this cash-for-work initiative, we’re not only creating short term jobs but also paving the way for progress in Karamoja.”, said Geoffrey Olaka, Engineering Assistant, Moroto District.
Under Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja, the project targets 2,100 beneficiaries, who will open access roads to the local markets, revitalize community water ponds and regenerate trees for environmental conservation.
Beyond Infrastructure: Empowering Communities
In addition to cash earnings, beneficiaries will receive training in digital literacy, business skills, entrepreneurship, village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) management, financial literacy and market-oriented agriculture
These skills, according to the Executive Director, Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja, Richard Omoding will enable participants to access information and services online, start and manage businesses, improve agricultural productivity, save and invest for the future and connect with regional markets
Connecting Communities to Markets
“This road will enable us to access the market to sell our produce quickly and efficiently,” notes Lokiru Peter, a local farmer from Nakiloro village. “No more wasted crops, no more lost income.”
“A road to the market means access to basic necessities,” adds Akello Janet, a beneficiary. “We’ll no longer struggle to find medicine or school supplies.”
Empowering Women, Transforming Communities
“Women will benefit most from this road,” says Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja’s Program Manager, Dorcus Angom. “They’ll sell their produce, earn income, and support their families.”
A New Dawn for Karamoja
As the Cash for Work project unfolds, Napwan’s community is poised to thrive. With every brick laid, every skill learned, and every shilling earned, they’re building a brighter future – one that’s filled with hope, resilience, and endless possibility.
As Napwana and her fellow beneficiaries embark on this journey, their enthusiasm is palpable.
“I’ll work tirelessly to secure my family’s future,” Napwan declares. “We’ll rise above poverty, together”. I believe in myself, my community, and our future, together, we’ll rise above poverty and create a better life for ourselves and our children.”
FACT FILE:
- 7,500 total number of beneficiaries in Karamoja
- 2,100 beneficiaries targeted by Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja in Rupa subcounty
- 20 days of work
- UGX 200,000 per participant
- 70% female participation
- 13 sites including opening access roads, desilting water ponds, regenerating trees
Funders
- Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)- US$4M
- United Nations Development Programm (UNDP)- UNDP US$1M
Partners:
- Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja
- Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO)
- Grassroot Alliance for Rural Development (GARD)
- Better World
- Warrior Squad Foundation
- Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)
- Ministry for Karamoja Affairs
- Ministry of Local Government
- Moroto District Local Government
- Kotido District Local Government
- Kaabong District Local Government
In Brief
- Project Name: Building Resilience in Conflict Affected and Fragile Communities of Karamoja (BRICK)
- Coverage: Moroto, Kaabong, and Kotido
- Duration: 30 months (July 2023- December 2025)
- Budget: US$ 5M (KOICA US$4M & UNDP US$1M)
