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U.S. Army Civil Affairs Team Promotes Peace and Good Governance in Uganda
 
Ambassador Scott DeLisi addressing students from Karamoja at the  U.S. Mission Uganda
Soldiers from Charlie Company of the U.S. Army Reserve's 490th Civil Affairs Battalion assigned to the Joint Task Force Horn of Africa recently organized a field trip to Kampala for some of Karamoja’s top students.  Charlie Company has worked in Uganda's Karamoja region for the last four years.

For many years the Karamoja region has suffered from internal armed conflict.  Now, thanks to aid from international donors and a successful government disarmament program, the region is beginning to rebuild.  Part of Charlie Company's work is with the Karamoja Student Incentive Program (KSIP), which includes coordinating an annual field trip to bring some of the best students and teachers from Karamoja for a tour of Kampala.  This year's visit included stops at the Ministry for Karamoja Affairs, the Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) headquarters, Makerere University, the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, the source of the Nile in Jinja, a Coca Cola facility, and U.S. Mission Uganda. 

Most Karamojong do not have the means to visit their country’s capital on their own.  By helping Karamoja’s top students experience Kampala, the Civil Affairs Team promotes civic education, good governance, and regional peace and stability by giving these talented students the opportunity to speak directly with their government representatives, civil society, and donors.  For example, during this trip, youth had the rare opportunity to witness firsthand how their government works by meeting with Janet Museveni – First Lady and Minister for Karamoja Affairs.  Exposure like this helps open the students’ eyes to what they can achieve with hard work and a good education. 

This program would not be possible without the hard work and generous support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) at U.S. Mission Uganda, Save the Children, UNICEF, Mt. Moroto Hotel and Aero Beach, as well as the UPDF Civil Affairs Division (UPDF CIMIC).