U.S. Mission Supports Environmental Literacy in Rural Uganda

Deputy Public Affairs Officer John Dunne plants a tree to support environmental awareness in rural Uganda.

On January 22, Deputy Public Affairs Officer John Dunne delivered the keynote address at the closing ceremonies of the 2nd National Intergenerational Literacy Learners Conference in Uganda at Namasagali College in Kamuli district, Eastern Uganda. The conference aimed to enable participants to share knowledge and experiences on climate change and documenting their local adaptation strategies.  The week-long event, supported by a grant from the U.S. Mission in Uganda, was opened by the Minister of Health, Hon. Malinga on January 18, 2010 at Namasagali Health Centre III.

A total of 2,041 people participated in the community health component (a pre-conference activity) where volunteer medical workers undertook health education on various issues, HIV counseling and testing, disease diagnosis, immunization, treatment of various ailments, and referral of complex cases to appropriate health facility for further follow up.  The efforts of health volunteers were complemented by staff from Namasagali Health Centre III, Kamuli Hospital, Rubaga Mission Hospital, Uganda Cares, and Star-EC.

297 participants from 15 districts and 9 countries participated in the actual conference, in which there were a number of keynote speeches, group discussions, plenary presentations, agricultural trainings, and field visits to model farmers under VEDCO’s food security project.  Discussions and presentations focused on issues such as: illiteracy, poverty, environment degradation, food security, health, nutrition and culture, which are all central in the debate on climate change.

Events like these reinforce the commitment of the American people to help Uganda grow economically, while still protecting the environment, supporting education, and ensuring community health.