The Governor of Utar Pradesh, Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel, has rewarded Juhi Barot, the founder of Leela Foundation Uganda with an award to appreciate her efforts taking care of elderly persons in Uganda.

Juhi, the daughter of businessman Harshad Barot received the award at a prestigious ceremony in Visnagar Gujarat India. Juhi, who believes that, ‘Service to Humanity is Service to God’, formed this NGO along with her father in July 2019.

Leela Foundation has been actively involved in community services, education, philanthropy and many other humanitarian services throughout the country. And for their loving works, the NGO has won admiration from the government of Uganda.

In 2022, Leela Foundation partnered with Namoe & Company Limited together with Lilly Rose Akello, the Minister of Ethics and Integrity to gift over 1, 000 families with food packages to people who had been hit by famine in Karamoja.

The organization every year since inception donates food to the elderly persons during the Christmas season. This year, Juhi says, they have identified the elderly persons (jjaja) who will receive Christmas food gifts so they can have a happy festive season.

Communities affected by the East African Cruse Oil Pipeline (EACOP) want a conversation with the financiers of the world's longest heated pipeline. 

In a press statement shared by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Affected People's Network (EACOP-N), a civil society organization formed by the project affected persons, 2,461 households that have been affected by EACOP, Kingfisher and Tilenga oil projects in Uganda have written to the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) and the Export-Import Bank of China (China ExIm bank).

"The households have expressed concerns over news that Sinosure and China ExIm bank are set to provide financial support to the EACOP project," the statement reads in part.

Adding: "The households are calling on Sinosure and China ExIm bank to conduct an independent field visit organised in collaboration with the affected communities before making any decision related to the EACOP."

"The households also say that their preferred source of energy is off-grid solar not oil and gas."

"It will be recalled that in September 2023, Ms. Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) was quoted as saying that the Exim Bank of China and Sinosure were set to provide over half of the $3 billion EACOP project loan."

In the letters to Sinosure and China Exim Bank, the oil affected households under EACOP-N), said EACOP project developers are displacing 13,546 households in Uganda and Tanzania.

They also claim that farmers who rely on good climate and a healthy environment are worried about the environmental and climate impacts of the EACOP. 

The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has lifted the suspension of works at the Kingfisher Development Area (KFDA) in Kikuube District, paving the way for the resumption of operations.

Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Authority said: “This step has been taken after rigorous examination of all standard procedures to ensure that the health and safety requirements are being robustly implemented by all contractors and sub-contractors. The Authority has reviewed and realigned the safety protocols with the operator for overall improvement in the HSE culture and practices during operations.”

The resumption of operations comes after additional preliminary safety measures have been instituted, and an overall strategy on contractor HSE management enhanced. 

The Petroleum Authority of Uganda is satisfied that the agreed procedures, when implemented, will ensure the safety and well-being for all during the oil and gas operations.

Kingfisher oil fields are operated by Chinese oil company called CNOOC Uganda, a subsidiary of CNOOC International. 

Rock Primary School from Kasese district and Vision High Secondary School from Mbale district were respective winners of the 1st edition of the Schools Agroecology Poem Writing Competition 2023 at primary and secondary level.

In primary section, Tumwijukye Victor, a primary six pupil from Rock Primary School, emerged as the overall winner of the competition. He was followed by Agaba Morgan, in primary five from Rock Primary School while Achen Sylvia from Otubet Primary School in Amuria district in second and third positions. 

At the secondary level, Wanyenya Esther (S.2) from Vision High Secondary School in Mbale emerged as the best in the competition. Nyirambabariye Peruth (S.3) from Kisoro was the 1st runner up while Odyek Ambrose from Maruzi Seed Secondary School in Apac emerged as the 2nd runner up. 

The competition was organized by Eastern and Southern Africa Small-scale Framers’ Forum (ESAFF) Uganda to create a broader awareness and appreciation of agroecology in Uganda’s secondary and primary schools and Agroecology Clubs.   

The small-scale farmers’ organization is empowering the young generation and the public through the formation of agroecology clubs in various learning institutions in the country.

The agroecology clubs have empowered the younger generation with accurate information about agroecology. 

Masudio Margret, the ESAFF Board Vice Chairperson, commended Rock Primary School and Vision High Secondary School for their excellent performance. 

She said that ESAFF Uganda is willing to work with schools to enable learners to be empowered with information related to agroecology. 

She commended the proprietors of the schools for accepting to work with ESAFF Uganda towards promoting agroecology farming practices in the learning institutions.

"Participating in the Schools’ Agroecology Poem Writing Competition highlights the school's exceptional leadership and performance. We hope that the skills that were imparted to the learners will help them in understanding agroecology as the most sustainable farming practice," said Masudi. 

Khaukha Milton, the Head Teacher of Rock Primary School, expressed his gratitude to ESAFF Uganda for organizing the competition. He emphasized the competition’s importance in guiding pupils towards addressing critical issues not only in Uganda but throughout Africa. 

Pangani Beatrice, the Chairperson of ESAFF Kasese, pledged the organization's willingness to work with the Agroecology Cubs in schools.

The Head Teacher of Vision High Secondary, Nangosya Jude, applauded ESAFF Uganda for choosing the school to be part of the few that the farmers' organization is supporting in running the Agroecology Club.

Nancy Mugimba the National Coordinator of ESAFF Uganda, applauded the learners for participating in the 1st Edition of the Schools Agroecology Poem Writing Competition.

Obonyo Sam, the Patron Vision High Secondary School Agroecology Club, expressed his gratitude to ESAFF Uganda for organizing the Poem Writing Competition that has brought agroecology sensitization to their school.