Over the past weekend, I met Mr. Nicholas Opyio, renowned multi-award-winning human rights lawyer and campaigner for civil rights and political freedoms. We were at a social setting at which we were both guests. During our few minutes catch up, he asked simple questions:

 How is CPAR Uganda? What is it you do now? How is the library?

I was taken aback and at the same time thrilled that Mr. Opiyo’s inquiry was borne out of knowing something about our work. And, seemingly, from a point of view that indicates he holds latent support for CPAR Uganda and our work. As I attempted to answer him, with passion, I waffled on about CPAR Uganda’s programme mission:

“To train and mentor young people to possess an attitude of self-reliance; the requisite will and skill to innovate and initiate interventions that cause positive change in their respective communities.”

As I laboured to explain the historical context of how it is CPAR Uganda has arrived at its current programme mission and what our organisation’s intention is, in a few words, Mr. Opiyo articulated what our organisation would like to achieve. He said:

“Basically, you want to give them agency.”

Yes, I thought, why did I not think of it as such before? After all:

“Human agency is the capability of individuals to make choices and to act on those choices in ways that make a difference in their lives (Martin, 2004). Agency is in operation only when individuals self-reflect and identify external influences that are most nurturing to the self.”

Jillianne Code in “Agency for learning: Intention, motivation, self-efficacy and self-regulation.”

Stimulating and nurturing human agency among people of disadvantaged communities in Uganda, especially young people, is exactly what CPAR Uganda intends achieved through its grassroots-oriented projects:

• Uganda women’s economic empowerment loan fund
• Welding apprenticeship to empower youth in Uganda
• Let’s talk menstruation and disposal of pads
• Restore eyesight and worth of rural poor in Uganda

CPAR Uganda’s methodology works. Its past interventions have been successful in positively enhancing human agency of its beneficiaries.

“CPAR has taught us to work together as a group and cut out the middlemen. I like working in groups because it is motivating and gives one the moral to work harder … I have also learnt that I should always be doing something and should not sit back … Initially my husband was providing everything but now, I cannot depend entirely on him.”

Mrs. Jamila Eton, beneficiary of CPAR Uganda’s Farmers First Project, quoted by journalist Edgar R. Batte in “Dokolo farmer earning from sunflower, simsim,” in Monitor.

During our brief chat, Mr. Opiyo also did ask about the CPAR Uganda geographic area of operation. I shared with him the current desired strategic geographic area of operation – West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Teso, Karamoja and Bukedi. He advised that this may be too large for CPAR Uganda to take on at ago. I agree.

I trust that our Board of Directors will agree and approve that CPAR Uganda should narrow its operations in 2024 to within Gulu District, as the primary area for implementation of its projects. I know for certain that CPAR Uganda holds latent social capital among the leadership of Gulu – cultural, religious, civil society, accademia and the local government.

I look forward to visiting with the leadership of Gulu in Gulu in January 2024 and make it happen. I am excited!

CALL TO ACTION: Enable disadvantaged communities to take control of their lives and livelihoods. CLICK HERE, select a project, follow the instructions and make a donation. Every little bit counts. THANK YOU!

Featured photo @ Government of the Netherlands, Mr. Opiyo receiving Human Rights Tulip 2021 Award.