LEAD Uganda’s baseline findings
The LEAD Uganda project has reached an important milestone, marking the conclusion of the inception phase. By listening closely to the voices within Uganda’s refugee and host communities, we’re setting a course grounded in real needs and aspirations. With this foundation, we’re ready to move forward into co-creation with our local partners to address these challenges hand-in-hand. Our recently completed baseline survey, conducted across six districts (Madi Okollo, Lamwo, Kiryandongo, Isingiro, Kyegegwa, and Kikuube), provides valuable insights that shine a light on both the hardships and the resilience within these communities. The baseline was conducted and written by consultants Denis Onena and Robert Nangai.
The baseline survey highlights the challenges refugees and host communities face in areas such as education, livelihoods, and climate resilience as well as the current capacities of the local in-country partners to implement the refugee response programme. Here are some key takeaways:
1. Demographics and living conditions
- Women make up 65.6% of our respondents, and their diversity spans Congolese, Ugandan, and South Sudanese communities.
- Refugee households tend to be larger and often face more barriers to accessing basic sanitation and electricity services.
- These numbers remind us of the unique needs and perspectives women bring to the table—and why ensuring access to services for larger refugee households remains vital.
2. Education and skills development
- School enrolment is high (92%), but dropout rates remain concerning, especially among girls in refugee communities due to financial constraints, early marriages, and cultural factors.
- There is a high awareness of vocational training facilities, yet access is limited by logistical, age, distance and financial barriers.
- Due to low investments and quick gains from the implementing partners, tailoring and hairdressing are the most commonly availed courses to participants.
3. Livelihoods and economic empowerment
- Employment opportunities are often scarce, particularly for refugees and women, leading many households to rely on debt to meet basic needs.
- These findings point to an urgent need for income-generating programs that foster resilience and independence within these communities.
4. Climate resilience and environmental challenges
- The impacts of climate change are felt deeply in these communities, with limited access to agricultural technologies and early warning systems that could help buffer against these challenges.
5. Capacity of in-country partners
- Our local partners bring strong leadership and governance, backed by experience and passion. However, many partners face challenges in program management and monitoring & evaluation, due to underdeveloped systems.
- Building on these strengths and addressing these gaps will create a locally driven response that can stand the test of time.
These findings guide our approach as we work with local partners to design impactful programs. The baseline helps us set benchmarks for measuring progress and enables us to adapt our strategies to the realities on the ground. You can download a summary of the baseline report here.
We’re excited to move forward with these communities, building a path to empower communities and drive sustainable development.
