REPORT ON COMMUNITY CONVERSATION MEETINGS HELD FROM 4TH -9TH AUGUST 2016

Photo 1: Community conversation meeting provides platform for women’s to voice their issues in Kyangwali Sub County

Photo 2: Community leaders discuss their commitments during Community conversation meeting in Kigorobya Sub County

Introduction:

The community conversation meetings are part of AJURA project activities that is being implemented by Uganda Reach the Aged Association in Hoima District. These community conversations arise as a result of dialogue meetings which produced the consensus documents. These community conversations are follow-ups meetings with leaders on the progressive implementation of community consensus documents. The meetings provides a platform for communities to discuss on rights issues and audit  the support provided to older persons by community members to help them claim their rights.

The community conversation meetings were held from 4^th-9^th August 2016. The dialogue meetings were conducted in Kyangwali, Kiziranfumbi, Kigorobya and Kitoba sub counties community halls respectively and 206 (86female &119males) participants attended the meetings. The meetings were facilitated by the Project Officer URAA-AJURA Project and the Communication and Result Officer.

Photo 3: Leaders clarify some of the issues during community conversation meeting

Photo 4: Leaders clarify some of the issues during community conversation meeting

Objectives of the conversation meetings:

    To follow up on the previous consensus that the leaders agreed upon in different sub counties.

2  To provided a platform for communities to discuss on older persons rights issues 

 Methodology used during the conversation meeting:

The conversation meetings were conducted using multiple approaches ranging from Open discussions, individual reports submissions, brain storming and presentation. Other techniques used during the conversation meetings included use of local illustrations with day today examples. This made the conversation more participatory, reflective and positive informative. 

Target Participants.

The participants were; the sub county council leaders, the area land committee members of all the four sub counties, the Parish chiefs, older persons, the religious leaders and other opinion leaders.  

Proceedings, Presentations and sharing during the conversation Meetings.

The AJURA Project officer, informed the participants in all the meetings that the major purpose of the community conversation meetings was to follow up on the previous consensuses/commitments leaders made in different sub counties to support older person.  

Photo 5: Participants discussing the during the community conversation meeting in Kitoba Sub county

STEPS TAKEN ON FULFILLING THE PREVIOUS COMMITMENTS/CONSCENSUS BY THE LEADERS.

SUBCOUNTY KYANGWALI
ISSUES AGREED ON	WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
Rejuvenate the area land committees to be effective and support communities in land matters. Leaders to continue preaching the gospel of transparency among the area land committee members that sometimes cause land disputes due to double standards.   Support and handle older persons  land issues at  community level to reduce land conflicts , create harmony and minimize  cost incurred  in courts  Leaders agreed to convene a meeting for the LC1 chairpersons and other leaders to draw parish sensitization plans on land and older persons rights  Mobilize  communities  and support  older persons to apply for  local land registration certificates  to the area land committee     Integration of older persons issues in the sub county development plan   Leaders agreed to move a motion during council meeting of facilitating area land committee members.  Mobilize, sensitize community members and support older persons to prepare wills and clearly state the land partitions in their wills.  To mobilize and sensitize  land owners to follow legal means while settling of land issues and renting their land	Anew Area land committee has been approved by the district council.         66 male and 37female were sensitized on older person’s rights; will writing such that they can avoid land wrangles in their families.  Three persons were assisted in will writing and  one   land boundaries conflict resolved        3 persons with land issues  were referred to  paralegals for support       Two Older persons councilors sown in
KIZIRANFUMBI SUB COUNTY
ISSUES AGREED ON	WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
Mobilize, sensitize and support   community led land demarcation to resolve land conflicts. Leaders to continue preaching the gospel of transparency among the area land committee members that sometimes cause land disputes due to double standards.   Promote use of  alternative dispute resolutions as a means of resolving land conflicts at community level Support and handle older persons  land issues at  community level to reduce land conflicts , create harmony and minimize  cost incurred  in courts  Leaders agreed to convene a meeting for the LC1 chairpersons  and other leaders to draw parish sensitization plans on land and older persons rights  Mobilize  communities  and support  older persons to apply for  local land registration certificates  to the area land committee     Integration of older persons in the sub county development plan    Leaders agreed to move a motion during council meeting of facilitating area land committee members.   Mobilize, sensitize community members and support older persons to prepare wills and clearly state the land partitions in their wills.  To mobilize and sensitize  land owners to follow legal means while settling of land issues	New local area land committee was approved by the district council        One disabled person was displaced and case referred to the office of Resident District Commissioner (RDC)        Three parish chiefs trained in human rights and will writing have sensitized 120 male and 60 females)       Two councilors representing Older persons were sown in
KIGOROBYA SUB COUNTY.
ISSUES AGREED UPON	WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
Leaders agreed to sensitize tenants to acquire certificates of occupancy from the land lord to reduce on land conflicts between the landlords and the tenants/squatters.  Leaders to continue preaching the gospel of transparency among the area land committee members that sometimes cause land disputes due to double standards. Leaders agreed to set up a land register at the sub county that would establish total land owners in the sub county and ownership status Leaders agreed to convene a meeting for the LC1 chairpersons  and other leaders to draw parish sensitization plans   Integration of older persons in the sub county development plan   Leaders agreed to move a motion during council meeting of facilitating area land committee members.   Mobilize, sensitize community members and support older persons to prepare wills and clearly state the land partitions in their will Mobilize and sensitize  land owners to follow legal means while settling of land issues and renting their land  Mobilize, sensitize and support   community led land demarcation to resolve land conflicts.	Mobilized and sensitized 300 female and 200 male  on community led land demarcation campaigns land rights and older persons rights       Names of the New area land committee have been submitted to the district council for approval          One person was supported to make land boundary         Two councilors representing Older persons were sown in
KITOBA SUB COUNTY.
ISSUES AGREED ON	WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
Community sensitization meetings on land demarcation and supporting them  to demarcate their lands  to reduce land conflicts   Leaders to continue preaching the gospel     of transparency among the area land committee members that sometimes cause land disputes due to double standards.   Support and handle older persons  land issues at  community level to reduce land conflicts , create harmony and minimize  cost incurred  in courts  Leaders agreed  convene a meeting for the LC1 chairpersons to and other leaders to draw parish sensitization plans on land and older persons rights   Mobilize  communities  and support  older persons to apply for  local land registration certificates  to the area land committee   Leaders agreed to move a motion during council meeting of facilitating area land committee members. Mobilize, sensitize community members and support older persons to prepare wills and clearly state the land partitions in their wills  Mobilize and sensitize  land owners to follow legal means while settling of land issues  Integration of older persons in the sub county development plan	40 male and 25 female  were sensitized on land rights and older persons rights        New area land committee names have been submitted to the district council  and have been  approved         Two councilors representing Older persons were sown in

Key Concerns arising from the Community conversation Meetings:

• Term of office expired for Area land committees and the new committees have been approved but  not inducted

•   Inadequate information about Oil pipe line designated route, communities don’t know whether they are in the pipe line corridor.

• Some local leaders connive with people to steal older persons land and sell without consent and knowledge of older persons

•  Land ownership is a challenge and boundary demarcations especially on family land

•  In Kigorobya sub county leaders said that District doesn’t compensate  peoples properties and gardens destroyed while constructing roads

• Elected older persons sub county councilors  have not been inducted on their roles and existing laws

• Older persons fear to prepare their wills early thinking they die early that affect writing wills  properly while they are strong

• Delayed  roll rout of older persons grant scheme to all parts of the country especially Hoima district

• Lack of affirmative action to enable the older persons enjoy their rights

Key Resolutions and Action Points by Leaders:

• Continuous  awareness  on older persons rights and land right

• Sub county  councilors for older persons  conduct consultation meetings with older persons and present outcomes to their  councils for action

• Paralegals should involve  area local leaders during awareness sensitization meetings and dispute resolution

• A representative of paralegals should always be invited for conversation  meetings to respond to some issues that may arise 

•  In Kyangwali sub county ,leaders referred two land disputes  cases  to paralegals for mediation

• In Kigorobya sub county  leaders referred one  land dispute  cases  to paralegals for mediation

• Mobilize, sensitize community members and support older persons to prepare wills and clearly state the land partitions in their wills

Conclusion.

The community conversation meetings have enabled local leaders in the four sub counties of Kyangwali, Kiziranfumbi, Kigorobya and Kitoba to discuss consensus documents. Follow up mechanisms have also been put in place by the leaders themselves on their commitments. URAA will continue to follow up these commitments made by leaders in different sub counties in partnership with paralegals.

URAA team conducts field monitoring visits in Hoima District

URAA team led by the CEO conducts field monitoring visits in Hoima District on AJURA Project

Chairperson Kiziranfumbi subcounty shares with the team

 URAA Projects Officer responds to some issues raised  in Kyanwali subcounty as the   CDO listens

URAA CEO shares with the paralegals in Kitoba sub-county

HOVOPA Chairperson shares with paralegals in Kitoba Subcounty 

URAA staff meet with officials of Hoima District Community Development Department

URAA staff led by the CEO (middle) meet with officials of Hoima District Community Development Department. The meeting aimed strengthening working relationship between URAA and Hoima District

URAA UNDER AJURA PROJECT CONDUCTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION MEETINGS IN HOIMA DISTRICT WITH SUPPORT FROM IDF

The community conversation meetings are part of “Access to Justice and Human Rights Project” implemented in Hoima District by URAA. These community conversations arise as a result of dialogue meetings which produced the consensus documents.

These community conversations are follow-ups meetings with leaders on the progressive implementation of community consensus documents. The meetings provides a platform for communities to discuss on rights issues and audit the support provided to older persons by community members to help them claim their rights. The community conversation meetings were conducted in Kyangwali, Kiziranfumbi, Kigorobya and Kitoba sub county.

One of the participants in Kyangwali sub county shares her experience

Kiziranfumbi Sub-county chief responds to issues raised

One of  the participants in Kitoba sub-county shares her experience 

Parish chief in Kigorobya subcounty responds to issues raised 

URAA UNDER AJURA PROJECT SENSITIZE COMMUNITIES IN HOIMA DISTRICT ON OLDER PERSONS RIGHTS

 REPORT ON COMMUNITY SENSITIZATION ON OLDER PERSONS RIGHT IN KIZIRANFUMBI, KITOBA, and KYANGWALI & KIGOROBYA SUBCOUNTY CONDUCTED ON 27^th 28^th 29^th and 30^th July 2016  

Photo 1: Community members in Kigorobya Sub County discussing old person’s rights during the sensitization meeting

1.0 Introduction

Uganda Reach the aged Association (URAA) with support from independent development Fund (IDF) is implementing “Access to Justice and Human Rights Awareness” project at the grass root level in Hoima District. The project targets older person’s rights and land issues. It’s based on this that community sensitization meetings were conducted in Bukinda village Kyangwali sub county, Kibengeya Kigorobya sub county, Kisambo village Kiziranfumbi Sub county , Kibangwa village Kitoba Sub county on older persons rights. The aim was to have communities more aware of rights issues affecting older persons and support to end rights violation. The meetings began with prayers, followed by remarks, presentation on rights, discussions and was attended by 206 persons (113 male and 93 female)  

1.2 Opening remarks

All the community sensitization meetings were opened by the area LC1s Chairpersons in the four sub counties.  In their remarks were pleased to host the community meetings and appreciated the work done by URAA and the paralegals in their areas. In their communication they said older persons are not benefiting like other groups of people forenistance the children, youth and women. The older person rights are abused and even taken away by the government like now when a parent punishes a child is taken to court.

1.3 Project Officer -URAA. Thanked the Area chairpersons for mobilizing the older persons and their community members to attend the meetings. He informed older persons and community members that URAA project doesn’t have components of supporting older persons with materials but provide knowledge and work towards rights of older persons. Also said that URAA AJURA project phase one ended and after IDF extended the project  for more 12 months basing on the previous performance.

He said that in the previous phase awareness was done on a small scale. Now we are increasing the number of people to be involved. It is also more focused on the community at the parish levels to provide more interaction as Sub County was a longer distance. It is more focused and closed to where the older people leave.

2.0 Presentation on rights

The C& R.O –URAA He informed the older persons that they have rights like any other person in Uganda of owning any property including land and even participation in the development programs with in their areas. He said the purpose of holding the meeting is to increase community knowledge on rights of older persons.

He also informed older persons and community members about the different ageing issues and challenges of older persons. This was mainly to bring the attention of communities on the different rights which they may deny the older persons because of their age. The ageing issues and challenges talked about included

Discrimination of older persons at all levels including leadership level; they are not invited for workshops,

 Poverty was another ageing issue since as age clocks in many older persons get weak and are less productive leaving them dependent on relatives who may not care about the lives of the older persons.

Violence and abuse. Many times older persons are violent. He also said that violence rises as a result of polygamy as wives keep arguing and the male partners become violent. He further said, too much work load on women and drunkardness are other causes of violence in families among older persons.

Visual challenge: Many older persons lose sight as they grow and this is a challenge to them since they are unable to clearly see.

Failing health. Older people’s health deteriorates as they age and this is a challenge to their well being. They easily develop cancer, high bold pressure among others. He called up on communities to have kitchen gardens near homes as away of boosting their nutrition. There is need to ease access services for older persons

Isolation. Older persons face a lot of self stigma that makes them isolate themselves from the rest of the community which makes them feel neglected as they think that their care takers are not bothered about their well being. Communities and family members have a role to play like visiting such people and counseling them

Fear. Older persons are always in fear of many things like death, falling, and they should be assisted to outgrow these fears and understand that they are normal people like the rest of the community. Communities and family members have a role to play like visiting such people and counseling them

Low self esteem. The older persons have low self-esteem and even reach a level of fearing their own children. This is not a good practice because much as the older persons grow, they should remain heads of the household and not feel inferior and intimidated by their children.

Employment challenge. Jobs advertised have an age limit and most of the time the people above the age of 45 years are excluded. Therefore he asked the older persons to try and seek self-employment since even after 45 years they still have responsibilities and can live for many more years.

The human rights and obligation of older persons that were discussed include

·         Right to life

·         Right to own property

·         Right to food and shelter

·         Right to freedom, right to education

·         Right to vote and be voted

·         Right to security among others.

·         Parental hood

·         Participation in the development of their areas

·         Provide basic needs to their families

·         Respect rights of others

3.0 Discussion on rights issues  

The PO-URAA Hoima led the communities is the discussion session on the rights issues in their areas. The session was interesting as each member of the community was given opportunity to share. The following were raised   

 Children rights and obligations

Older persons expressed concern over the new amended children act. That act gives a lot of freedom to children and incase parents punishes their children can take them to police. This limits older persons obligation of   parental hood as parent’s fears to punish their children incase of misbehaving which a danger to the new generation.  The teachers too expressed the same fear and called upon for collective efforts of modeling the children into useful people despite the existing laws. PO-URAA said that there is need to talk to them on their obligations and responsibilities as children, youth and women.    

Older persons called up the government to explain more to the children on the amended act so that children continue to respect their parents and older persons. This is because of the interpretation children are taking that no one can punish them both at school and at home which may results to high crimes if no action was made.  

Photo 2 Older person in Kiziranfumbi sub county expressing concern over the new amended child Act; that children no longer listen to older person

Youth rights and older person’s rights

Older persons expressed concern over the youth who don’t want to work. Most the youth think that properties of their parents belong to them. The youth want to take advantage of the law on inheritance and children act yet they have grown up into adult hood. The older persons said that “they are worried, the youth continue demanding properties even when they are able to work when older persons refuse they threaten to kill us and even grab forcefully”. One older person said that youth are taking away their rights of owning properties and using them. They even tell you that u are about to die.

One of the LC1 chairperson  said that older persons rights have been abused the youth  who keep on giving birth to children and they cant take care only send them to the villages. He said that youth are not working and want free properties from older persons. They are engaged in unproductive activities and don’t want advise from older persons. Another LC1 chairperson said that when older persons are abused they few institutions in place to assist them.   

One of the youth participating in the meeting accepted the views of older persons that the youth are a problem to them and pray when they can die and take properties. He also said that  sometimes also older persons causes the youth to be a problem, they don’t want their children to work but keep with them doing working at home.  He requested older person to respect their age and support the youth to be trained in skills courses for those who fail to go to school.

Photo 3 :  Youth in Kitoba sub county responding older person’s issues about the youth

Older persons called up the government to talk to the youth about their future. Older person pledged to talk to the youth about other things that can make them more productive. The youth said that the meeting was good because all stakeholders were involved and pledged to reform and share information to others. 

 Older person pension

Older persons expressed concern over the delay to receive their pension.  The older persons said that they worked for companies and government but its take long process to start benefiting from your money. “Some older persons claimed and got tired and lost hope yet they have aright to receive and others have died with out benefiting from their sweat” older persons’ said with augur.  Then when a person dies before getting pension the families spend a lot of time and money and even they don’t receive.

Then another person asked “where does that money go to”?  The C& R O said that the pension fund is faced with corruption and advised the older person to report such cases with the Uganda Human rights Commission Hoima Officer and the Inspectorate of Uganda Hoima office. 

 

Senior citizen grant

Older persons asked access to the old person’s grants is it aright? If yes why not Hoima? The PO-URAA Hoima said that yes all older persons are entitled to the grant but the government roll out program is slow. He advised the older persons to use all the available avenues to talk to other government leaders and elected political leaders.  He said that URAA at national level is engaging with the central government to ensure all older persons in Uganda benefits.  He said that URAA is an NGO and the grants are managed by the government. He further said that URAA has paralegals trained with basic knowledge in laws and work voluntarily to help older persons and are not benefiting from the older persons grants as it’s alleged by others

Photo 4 older person expressing concern over the delayed roll out of older persons grants to Hoima district

The older persons called up on concern persons to ensure roll out is faster because others many die and are in need of the fund like those who are benefiting. 

Decision and participation in the development of their areas

Older persons said that now days they not respected and involved in the decision making. They said that most people say they “expired” with out ideas. Older persons said that “the youth have denied us the right to speech yet we have the same status, when ever in meetings they don’t want us to talk”. They asked if people say like that why participate. The PO URAA said that its right to participate and views of older persons need to be heard like the youth and women. He advised the communities to also give opportunities for older persons to talk because they know a lot and are useful. He said that every one must know is heading to the being older and while old one needs to behave well to be respected in the community. The LC 1 chairperson said that some older persons are supporting bad activities of the youth and can’t be respected even when they are to talk. Those who do write things are respect in the community  

Some of the ladies who attended the meeting said that older persons are not helping them in modeling their men. Whenever faced with domestic issues they sideline with the boys in steady of looking through the issues. Whenever children rights are bused they support the boys. Then if they are like that why respect them. The men said that women keep children secrets away of their fathers when they are in problems that when they are told.

Access to justice

Is there end on rights of older persons? Doest have a limit? Asked older person. P.O -URAA Hoima said that the rights are absolute and they don’t end. Every one has a right and in enjoying the right one shouldn’t affect the rights of others. The older persons said that court cases take long and even the police take longer to investigate cases affecting the older person. P.O-URAA AJURA- Hoima said that as an organization trained community paralegals with basic knowledge in laws and the purpose was to help older persons in resolving conflict and promoting older persons rights. He advised the older person to use the paralegals to ease access to justice and have disputes resolved at a community level with out incurring costs.    

     

4.  Recommendations

·         Rights issues and older abuses be referred to the paralegals for support.  

·         Awareness raising  on rights of older persons  and obligations be extended  at community level

·         Lobbying for the older person grant roll out to Hoima district

·      Older persons should be given special consideration in service delivery like in health services older persons are weak cant line for long

·         Affirmative action for the older person in order to fully enjoy their rights like other special interest groups.

·         Government construct housing for the older person who are unable to have own shelter

·         Engaging with local leaders on older persons issues especially the elected sub county representatives of older persons

·         Parental hood of children and youth into useful and responsible persons

·         Older persons to make land boundaries to minimize conflicts 

Prepared by:

Albert Wabyoona and Peter Byakuyamba.