TESO KARAMOJA RECAP ENGAGEMENTS
From 1st to 5th November 2021, UCCA with support of its members Ecological Christian Organization (ECO), Karamoja Development Forum (KDF) and Teso Karamoja Women Initiative for Peace (TEKWIP) in Teso Karamoja Region engaged with local communities from Tisai Island who anticipate development projects on preparing themselves through clear understanding of the principles of Free Prior and Informed Consent. Tisai community has been promised solar electricity and a diary plant. There are conflicts between the fishing communities and UWA over of boundaries of the wildlife reserve. The members also engaged with the communities in Karamoja Region in Rupa Sub County. Environmental degradation like in Naput in Rupa remains a challenge with the mining companies failing to restore land. Weigh bridges are still lacking to measure the amount of mineral ferried out of Karamoja costing the local government in terms of the actual royalties. Child labour issues are still prevalent. Community trusts registered to own licenses still find difficulty operating. Through the efforts of the UCCA, the Department of Geographical Surveys and Mines has tried to ensure that community trusts apply for prospecting licenses of areas that are still vacant. However, the trusts lack financial capacity and have showed no interest in obtaining licenses. The Department of Geological Survey and Mines pledged to continue supporting the local communities to organize themselves to obtain licenses for mining.