Hoima Region
4th Quarter Report October - December 2009
Uganda Red Cross Society established regions in 2007, with the overall aim of strengthening the capacity of branches to effectively and efficiently deliver services to the most vulnerable. Hoima is one of the regional centers established, consisting of seven branches namely: Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Nakasongola, Arua, Moyo and Nebbi.
This report gives summary progress on the activity implementation in all the branches in the region over the quarter ending 31st December 2009.
All the 7 branches in the region received financial support from different departments to facilitate service delivery to the vulnerable communities.
Partnership between Masindi branch and Ordina continues to progress, with a proposal to fund some activities in the branch. A proposal to support Computer Training center in Masindi branch was already submitted for possible funding.
The Regional Officer OD Hoima was during the course of the quarter assigned additional responsibility to oversee EU Rural Water and Sanitation project for two months.
2.0 Summary of the major achievements
2.1 Organizational Development
The following are the major achievements over the reporting period:
- The Regional Officer was able to conduct support supervision to five branches in the region. There has been improved relationship between Branch coordinators and Branch governance and improved level of financial management as well as activity implementation.
- Moyo Branch acquired two plots of land, one from the local community and the other from Land commission. Arua branch was allocated land by the district for building Red Cross Office in Yumbe sub branch.
- Masindi branch is in the process of acquiring free hold land title.
- With support from the Regional Officer, Hoima branch is in the process of valuing its premises so as to
make appropriate plans for its existing land development.
Hoima Branch Office block newly constructed to accommodate Regional Office
- All the 7 branches conducted quarterly BGB and BYC meetings as planned during the quarter under review. This has strengthened the relationship between branch management and governance in the branches.
- Two youth camps were held by Arua and Nebbi branches during their branch exchange visits.
- Partnership between Masindi branch and Ordina continues to progress, with proposal to fund some activities in the branch. A proposal to support Computer Training center in Masindi branch was already submitted for possible funding.
- Membership recruitment recorded 814 people (93 Life, 108 Annual and 613 Youth), 08 gender groups and 12 links registered.
- A total of 57 dissemination sessions and 7 membership drives held in the region, and 5,328 people of different categories reached.
- With support from ICRC, Hoima branch is putting up an office in Kyangwali Refugee settlement for coordinating Tracing and other URCS activities in the area. The construction work is expected to be commissioned by mid January 2010.
- 1 Regional Media dialogue was conducted for 22 participants in the region. The group was drawn from 10 media stations in Arua, Nebbi, Moyo, Masindi, Kibaale and Hoima branches. Media coverage will increase in 2010.
- The Head of Department OD carried out high level dissemination session for Police officers in Masindi.
4 Police officers joined the society as life members during the occasion.
Mr. Richard Amadro disseminating to Police Officers in Masindi.
3.0 Specific achievements per objective:
Organizational Development
Overall Goal:
Build and strengthen branch capacity, youth and volunteer management, and community development to improve the lives of the vulnerable.
Objective 1:
Strengthen the capacity of the branches in the region to deliver URCS services effectively and efficiently.
The following are the key achievements:
Capacity building
- Arua (Yumbe) and Moyo branchs acquired land for development. In addition Uganda Land commission allocated a plot of land with two structures to Moyo branch. At least 5 branches in the region have structures of their own. Payment of rent has been reduced to only one branch.
- Three branches (Arua, Masindi and Nebbi) in the Region are in the process of acquiring land titles for the URCS plots. When completed this will promote the capacity of the branches to get loan facilities for development.
· All branches in the region updated branch assets inventory.
- All the BCs in the region attended one week training in Tracing in Luwero branch and 5 DM Focal Persons in the priority branches in region received skills training in Entebbe organized by Disaster Management. This has enhanced branch capacity to implement activities in a more effective and efficient manner.
- All the 7 branches conducted at least one quarterly BGB meeting as planned during the quarter under review. This has strengthened the relationship between branch management and governance.
- All the 7 branches now have updated volunteer and membership registers. This has improved data management at branch level. It is easy to obtain information on members and volunteers when required.
- During the quarter under review each of the branches of Masindi, Nebbi, Arua and Hoima held at least 2 branch staff meetings for effective service delivery in the branches. During the meetings the members were guided among other issues, on staff standard regulations accountabilities and timely reporting.
- One proposal was submitted to Ordina for supporting computer training center in Masindi. If this succeeds it will volunteer human resource capacity in computer skills and improve branch income.
Monitoring and Supervision
- The Regional Officer was able to conduct support supervision to five branches in the region. There has improved the relationship between Branch coordinators and Branch governance and improved level of financial management as well as activity implementation.
- At least 6 branches out of 7 have e-mail addresses. This has eased communication with branches.
Objective 2:
Mobilize, develop and retain the youth as the most active volunteer force to respond to their vulnerabilities and the needs of other vulnerable people in the community.
- 124 Life Planning Skills sessions were conducted in Arua and Masindi under school to school project for school and out of school youth. A total of 1,225 youth were reached.
- 3 youth initiatives supported in three branches of Arua, Masindi and Hoima. This has motivated the out of school youth to actively get engaged in URCS activities. The projects if well managed are expected to improve livelihood of the youth in rural links.
- 3 PPM trainings were conducted for 45 out of school youth who benefited from the initiatives. It is expected that the groups will in the near future be able to come up with more initiatives and also
improve on their skills in project management.
Youth in LPS training in Masindi branch
- Masindi branch organized 2 youth camps (1 junior and 1 senior), during which the youth were trained in LPS and PPM. This is expected to enhance their skills in project planning and management at link level.
Objective 3:
Develop and implement volunteer and membership management systems and raise quality membership for improved productivity and self-sustenance.
- Over 753 volunteers participated in the implementation of URCS activities in the region under Health & Care, Disaster Management and Organizational Development. This has increased human resource capacity of branches to timely respond to emergencies.
- 57 dissemination sessions and 7 membership drives conducted during the quarter under review. A total of about 5,328 people reached with information. 98 professionals registered this quarter, and the record of membership shows an increase of 23% as compared to 3rd quarter performance (Increment from 625 to 814).
- Branch Youth Council (BYC) in each of the 7 branches in the region held at least one ordinary meeting.
The following table and Chart represents membership recruitment results in the region during the quarter under review:
|
Membership Category
|
M
|
F
|
Total
|
Prof.
|
|
Life
|
73
|
20
|
93
|
18
|
|
Annual
|
76
|
32
|
108
|
16
|
|
Youth
|
440
|
173
|
613
|
64
|
|
Totals
|
589
|
225
|
814
|
98
|
|
Corporate
|
-
|
-
|
00
|
00
|
|
New Links
|
|
|
12
|
-
|
|
Gender groups
|
-
|
-
|
08
|
-
|
Fig.1
Graph showing Membership data for 4th quarter 2009
- 3 inter branch youth exchange visits were made this quarter between Masindi, Arua and Nebbi. The impact has been increased membership and youth involvement in URCS activities.
- 3 Inter link exchange visits and 2 youth camps carried out in Masindi Branch, which has motivated the young people to voluntarily participate in URCS activities.
- 2 branches in the region received 2 balls and 2 sets of sports uniforms to accelerate youth retention and motivation. This has enhanced membership recruitment and volunteer retention in the branches.
- Membership data is being updated every quarter by branch coordinators. It is now easy to follow membership records at branch level.
Objective 4:
Empower communities for self-reliance and self-sustenance in selected branches.
- Through local initiatives Hoima branch supported 3 gender groups with 3 piglets each. The groups have been involved in community mobilization on sanitation and HIV/AIDS.
- 2 gender groups were formed in Nakasongola branch, and the groups have come up with goats rearing project proposal for support.
- 3 out of school youth initiatives supported in three branches of Hoima, Arua and Masindi. This is expected to generate income to support group livelihood in the community.
In a two roomed house in Wakataayi Village, Kakakala Parish, Zirobwe Sub County, Luweero district lives 12 year old primary school going Nakku Sherinah. She studies in Primary four at Kijugumbya Primary school. The household has seven (7) members with a 50 year old Nakimuli Sarah (grand mother) as the family head and Nakku being the second elder child in this home. 
