Residents in the West Nile region, which also hosts the largest number of refugees in Uganda, have been urged to revive the traditional culture of giving as part of efforts to reduce dependency on donor support.
Implementing partners are increasingly using sporting activities to bring communities together, especially the youth, to embrace unity, sharing, and generosity.
One such initiative was the West Nile Giving Tournament, held on August, 7 and 8 2025 at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani Town Council.
The event brought together leaders, youth, and community members to promote sports, philanthropy, and cohesion between refugee and host populations.
The competition featured 80 children from Arua, Kampala, and Adjumani, with activities ranging from football and aerobics to blood donation drives, tree planting, and contributions to local orphanages.
Emmanuel Fungaroo, Adjumani District Sports Officer, encouraged young people to see sports as both a career pathway and a health benefit.
“I urge young people to embrace sporting activities, which will be a game changer when practiced at both amateur and professional levels. Sporting activities also keep the body healthy,” Fungaroo said.
Organised by Score Beyond Leadership Organisation in partnership with Watoto Wasoka, Advance Afrika, Support Schools Uganda, Entebbe Corporate League, and supported by Uganda National NGO Forum and CivicSource Africa, the two-day tournament was part of Uganda’s Annual Philanthropy Week under the theme “Reclaiming and Celebrating Giving: Putting Ugandan Philanthropy at the Centre.”
Mavita Ali, Executive Director of Score Beyond Leadership Organisation, stressed that generosity is not limited to the wealthy.
“The children at the Giving Back Tournament are the future of the country. Giving doesn’t mean that someone has to be rich. We can all give in different ways, as seen here with support for the orphanage. We must lead by example, and giving should be embraced,” Ali said.
She also urged residents to continue supporting one another through both good and challenging times.
Richard Wambi, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Adjumani District, applauded the organisers for promoting generosity in the community.
“I applaud the organisers for encouraging people to give. This spirit should continue because it strengthens our community,” Wambi said.
Moses Mulindwa, Senior Programme Associate at the Uganda National NGO Forum, praised sports as a tool for discipline and unity while calling for more community giving.
“Sports instill discipline in sportsmen and women because it has rules that govern it. It is also a uniting activity. I encourage everyone to give, because all of us are givers in one way or the other,” Mulindwa stated.
Mulindwa commended Adjumani residents for hosting refugees but advised against overreliance on aid.
“I applaud the residents of Adjumani District for hosting refugees and sharing the resources they have with them. However, I discourage the culture of waiting to receive, which is not sustainable. People should learn to give and be part of the development of their communities,” he said.
He further emphasised Uganda’s potential for self-reliance.
“Uganda is endowed with natural resources which we can use to support development and solve the challenges facing us,” he added.
The event concluded with semi-finals, finals, awards, and a closing ceremony, leaving participants inspired to use sports and giving as powerful tools for building stronger, healthier, and more united communities.