Our Work in Uganda
Lutheran World Relief has been working with local partners in Uganda since 1985 to address the root causes of poverty and improve livelihoods. LWR’s approach focuses on small-scale farmers, helping them to improve their crop productivity for increased income and food security. Our current partners are located in the Bugiri, Kapchorwa, Mbale, Bukwo and Sironko districts (Eastern Uganda), in Wakiso, Masaka, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Sembabule, Mpigi, Gomba, Butambala, Rakai, Lwengo and Lyantonde districts (Central Uganda), Gulu and Lira districts (Northern Uganda) and in Kabarole, Hoima and Masindi districts (Western Uganda).
The Uganda portfolio has included funding from the Foods Resource Bank; U.S. Agency for International Development; U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; U.K. Department for International Development; Global Affairs Canada; and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. LWR is active in the ACT Alliance, a global alliance of churches and related organizations focusing on long-term development and humanitarian assistance.
Agriculture: coffee, corn and bean value chains
With improved participation in agricultural value chains, farmers are able to satisfy their consumption needs and have sufficient amounts to sell as surplus. LWR works with local farmer organizations to provide technical advisory services so that farmers increase their productivity and their income. Farmers learn how to improve crop quality through proper postharvest handling and processing techniques, as well as proper storage and collective marketing. LWR also helps farmers produce clean, labeled and export-grade cash crops targeted at regional and international markets, including Fair Trade and other internationally recognized certifications for coffee.
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Agriculture: climate smart agriculture
Changing climate conditions can threaten crop production. LWR complements its efforts to improve agronomic practices by promoting climate smart agriculture techniques such as agroforestry, soil conservation and nutrient management, sustainable water access and use, environmentally-sensitive pest management, crop diversification, and the promotion of resilient crop varieties
Agriculture: cooperative strenghthening
LWR works with farmer organizations to strengthen their technical and organizational capacities so that they can provide sustainable, equitable and quality services to their members. Working together with partners, LWR develops action plans adapted to the specific capacity strengthening needs of each organization. Plans are often focused on transparency and governance, policies and procedures, and the provision of services, such as agricultural extension, access to credit, access to inputs and sales to a higher value market. Such services increase farmer crop productivity and income, demonstrating the value of collective action and increasing the willingness of farmers to pay for such services. This in turn supports the operational sustainability of farmer organizations.
Agriculture: Uganda legume seeds pilot
LWR is the manager of the Uganda Legume Seeds Pilot, a five-year project under the AgResults initiative, designed to improve Ugandan farmers’ access to government certified and quality legume seed varieties. It operates a resultsdriven “pull mechanism” that incentivizes seeds companies by giving them a financial payout based on increased sales of legume seeds. The Legume Seeds Pilot aims at building a stronger and more competitive local seed industry. Please see agresults.org for more information on the initiative.
Agriculture: youth involvement
The population of Uganda is the youngest in the world, with a median age of 15. LWR develops the capacity of groups of young farmers in post-harvest processing, financial management, marketing and price negotiation, extension services provision, and other crucial steps in agricultural value chains to enable youth to generate an income in rural areas.
Emergency operations: non-food items
Since 2016, LWR partner Uganda Red Cross Society has been distributing LWR Quilts and Personal Care Kits made and assembled by US Lutherans to people in need.
Improving Resilience and Building Stable, Productive Economies. Learn more
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