The Uganda Mission was another chance for WFAD, through the Liaison Office in Nairobi to continue its strategy of keeping the East African Network on Drug Abuse and Crime Prevention in motion. Having started the virtual and physical interactive meetings in DRC, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Burundi, it was time for the Liaison Representative to visit Uganda. This was accomplished on 30 January to 3rd February 2022. Uganda in itself holds a very special place in the affairs of the Network, since it is the country where the Network was formally born in February 2020.

Together with the Network Chairman George, the meetings with several partners including UAPA and UYDEL were organized. There was a site visit to a very active member, Kawempe Youth Development Association. Paul also met and had a discussion with the Network Secretary, Ruth Kikome.

• 

• 

• 

Among the emerging issues, COVID-19 has affected our partners in Uganda extremely. Many expressed the adverse situation which the pandemic had brought, including operational incapacitation, cost cutting occasioned by loss of revenues and donor support to sustain their programs. This has led to direct negative impact to the target communities including Youth, Women and Children. Partners are not able to meet regularly for more formal discussions such as policy reviews due to distances and costs. Virtual meetings have been held but have not ultimately been effective. Despite such challenges, some are still trying their best to maintain their activities by continuously maximizing their small resources.

• 

• 

• 

It is their positive hope through the Network platform, that they can get the needed support to kickstart or upscale their interventions. Paul assured them that by the finalized Action Plan in 2021 together with WFAD’s contact with several partners who are interested of the Network that support will be given in due time.

• 

• 

•