Leaders in West Nile’s refugee-hosting districts have praised development partners for consistently complementing government efforts to improve service delivery for both refugees and host communities, even as global humanitarian funding declines.
During a high-level panel discussion held on Friday in Arua District, district leaders and development actors acknowledged that although donor fatigue has affected several interventions, many partners remain committed to supporting the region’s health, education, livelihoods, governance, and climate-action priorities.
Arua District Woman Member of Parliament, Lillian Obiale Paparu, highlighted the region’s globally recognized inclusive refugee response.
“Uganda’s open-door policy works because partners like CEFORD strengthen the systems that allow refugees and nationals to coexist peacefully,” she said.
“We have seen improved governance structures, better community participation, and stronger protection for vulnerable populations because these interventions are rooted within the community.”
Arua District LCV Chairperson, Alfred Okunzi, echoed similar sentiments, noting the growing strain on districts that continue receiving new refugee arrivals. “Even with shrinking funding, partners have stayed with us,” Okunzi said. “They support our farmers, our schools, and our health centres. Without them, the burden on local governments would be unbearable.”
The Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD), one of the region’s longest-serving development organizations, on Friday celebrated 25 years of service — a milestone reflecting resilience, partnerships, and innovation that have shaped northern Uganda’s recovery.
According to official data, CEFORD has directly reached more than 947,000 people in refugee and host communities across the West Nile and Acholi sub-regions.
Founding member Simon Amajuru Madraru emphasized the organization’s roots in post-conflict recovery. “We started with a simple idea — empowering communities to help themselves. Seeing how far we have come — the households lifted, the youth empowered, the trees planted — this is a story of people reclaiming dignity,” he said.
CEFORD Executive Director Jean Christabel Asipkwe said the organization’s 2024–2028 strategic plan focuses on deepening community resilience through climate-smart agriculture, education support, governance strengthening, protection, and disaster preparedness.
“Our commitment remains the same: to bridge the gaps for people who are often left behind,” Asipkwe said. “As donor priorities shift globally, we are building a stronger institution that can sustain itself through innovation and community-led action.”
Thousands of refugees and nationals have benefited from CEFORD’s livelihood and food security interventions, which have supported over 186,000 farmers, formed 1,861 Village Savings and Loan Associations, and helped transition many youth into meaningful employment.
One beneficiary, Mildred Lenia, said the livelihood programme transformed her into a confident poultry farmer. “I joined the training with nothing but interest, and today I run a poultry business that supports my family,” she said.
Implementing partners remain an indispensable pillar in northern Uganda’s humanitarian and development landscape. As local governments face rising service delivery demands, constrained budgets, and continued refugee influxes, these partners are filling critical gaps in health, education, livelihoods, protection, and environmental conservation.
Leaders emphasized that beyond project delivery, implementing partners contribute to long-term stability by empowering local leaders, building institutional capacity, and strengthening systems that can sustain development even amid fluctuating donor funding.