About – swrdf

About Us

A secure south Western Uganda that is productive, prosperous and harnesses its resources for inclusive and sustainable development

Overview

This South Western Regional Development Forum brings together leaders from Kigezi and Ankole sub regions. It covers 18 districts and Mbarara City. Ankole sub region has 12 districts and 1 City of Mbarara and it includes; Kiruhura, Mbarara, Kazo, Rwampara, Ibanda, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Sheema, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Buhweju and Mbarara City. Kigezi sub-region has 6 Districts which include; Rukiga, Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro, Rukungiri and Kanungu,

This regional development forum is called “South Western Regional Development Forum(SWRDF) and it was formed by the leaders and other stakeholders from the 2 Sub Regions above in a meeting that was held in March 2018 at Lake View Regency Hotel in Mbarara with support from USAID.

The SWRDF office is Located at Plot 3, Circular Road Golf Course Road, at Boma, Mbarara City

The Map of South Western Region and Its Location on the Map of Uganda

Why the Regional Approach?

The Government of Uganda and USAID in 2016, set out to do business differently with the introduction of the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS 2016-2021). USAID piloted a new approach, called the Regional Coordination Initiative (RCI), which empowers local communities to:

Define their development priorities, challenges, and competitive advantages
Drive new investment opportunities
Foster locally led and locally owned development

USAID supported the formation of regional platforms across the country to pursue inclusive and sustainable regional development namely, the Northern Uganda Regional Development Forum (NURDEF) in 2017, the South Western Regional Development Forum (SWRDF) in March 2018, and Karamoja Regional Development Initiative (KAREDI) in 2018.

Vision

A secure south Western Uganda that is productive, prosperous and harnesses its resources for inclusive and sustainable development

Mission

To increase investments that will enhance production and productivity, savings, employment and wealth creation

Core values of SWRDF

Accountability, Responsiveness, Participation, Partnership and Inclusiveness

Formation of SWRDF

In March 2018, leaders from Ankole and Kigezi sub regions mobilized themselves and came together to discuss about regional development and what they can do to develop their region. These leaders were; District Chairpersons, Chief Administrative Officers, District Planners, Municipal Planners, District Community Development Officers, DHO’s, DCDOs, District Natural Resources Officers, District Water Officers, Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations, University representatives, Women representatives, Youths, People with Disabilities and Minorities.

It was in this meeting that all the participants agreed to form a forum named; “South Western Regional Development Forum (SWRDF)”. They also agreed to form a 15 Member Interim Steering Committee composed of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, the Secretary, 6 females and 6 males. They also agreed that the District Chairperson should always be the Chairperson of the Forum and the late Besigye Patrick Keihwa, who was Chairperson, Kabale District from 2018 until his death in 2021 was the Chairperson of the Forum and the Vice Chairperson Ass. Prof. Katusiime Mesharch assumed leadership as the Chairperson of the Forum and completed the remaining tasks of the forum until 6^th – 7^th June 2023 when the second annual general meeting was held.

When the 15 Member Interim Steering Committee was formed in March 2018, they were given the following assignments to work on, namely; developing a constitution of the forum, developing the Regional Development Plan and Investment plan.

They also added that the Interim Steering Committee should involve the stakeholders by organizing engagement meetings to help the Steering Committee to get relevant information for developing these documents. The Interim Steering Committee embarked on a wide consultative process with various stakeholders.

Processes / Methodology

The Interim Steering Committee with the help of the Consultants started with Literature review on Ankole-Kigezi development potentials, challenges and opportunities

There after the Interim Steering Committee held various consultations with development actors and stakeholders as indicated

Kabale (May 2018) – CAOs, Town Clerks & Planners for districts and municipal councils
Ibanda (July 2018) – Business Community and Farmers (DPOs, Business Community involved in value addition – coffee, maize, wines & cow ghee and extension workers)
Ntungamo (October 2018) – Youth, PWDs and Women Initiatives
Kisoro (December 2018) – social sector and vulnerable groups (DEOs, MEOs, Religious Leaders, NROs, DHOs, DROs, Environment Officers and Regional Referral Hospital(s) Directors, Batwa community and children as a special category)
Kanungu (4^th-5^th Feb 2020) – District Chairpersons and RDCs on validation of the Results Framework
District Consultations (Aug-Sept 2020) – on the Legal Process for formation of SWRD Forum
District Chairpersons & CAOs (30^thOct 2020) – Consensus & Signing the SWRD Forum Constitution
Held a Planning Meeting at Forest Cottages in Kanungu from 19^th-20^th April 2021
Held a Dissemination of the Research Findings on the Batwa Communities in the Districts of Kanungu, Kabale & Rubanda by the Universities of Mbarara [MUST], Makerere Institute of School of Public Health [RAN], & Gulu from 21^st-22^nd April 2021 in Kanungu District
Held a Retreat Meeting in Rubirizi (18^th-21^st May 2021) for harmonizing with MUST Consultants on the Structure of the Regional Strategic Development Plan, reviewing Kanungu Workshop and Planning for the Visit to KAREDI
Conducted Experiential – Exposure visit to Karamoja (24th -29th May 2021)

Case Studies

Mbarara District – physical planning
Ntungamo – local government revenue collection
Ibanda – Community Involvement and participation

Research Pieces

Local revenue mobilisation and collection
Domestic and cross boarder trade (agriculture and tourism)
Women and youth entrepreneurship
Analysis relevant to south-western Uganda
Investment Study in SW Region of Uganda

Research Pieces

Local revenue mobilisation and collection
Domestic and cross boarder trade (agriculture and tourism)
Women and youth entrepreneurship
Analysis relevant to south-western Uganda
Investment Study in SW Region of Uganda

Spinoff research for development – for marginalised indigenous people

Voices of the Batwa people

After the SWRDF Interim Steering Committee had made consultations with Regional and Local Stakeholders, they then embarked on Consultations with Ministries, Departments and Agencies [MDAs] as indicated below:

National Level Engagement

The SWRDF-SC members held National Outreach Engagement Meetings with Ministries, Departments and Agencies from 24^th October – 6^th November 2021.

The Steering Committee [SC] held Engagement Meetings with the Following Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

National Planning Authority èMet on 25^th October & 4^th November 2021 with Deputy Executive Director & other NPA staff è for alignment of the Plan to NDP III & possibility of getting funding for regional investment plan and regional development plan
Dairy Development Authority èMet Deputy ED and other staff è on 25^th October 2021 The purpose was on possibility of accessing Investors in the Milk Industry
Umoja Conservation Trust èon Environmental Management and good practices
Micro Finance Support Centre èMet on 27^th October 2021 on Possibility of Accessing funds for Investment and the areas eligible for accessing funds.
NARO and MAAIF èMet on 1^st November 2021 è discussed a wide range of issues relating the need for Micro, Small and Large Scale Irrigation Schemes in the region, Curbing counterfeit products [Pests & disease control, having regional stores for medicines, drugs, fertilizers etc
NAADS èMet on Zoom Meeting on 29^th October 2021,
Uganda Investment Authority èMet on 29^th October 2021 è Met the Director General, Deputy Director General, Director Human Resource and other Staff. The purpose was to seek guidance on funding the Investment Plan, identification of potential Investors since UIA is the entry gate of all Investors coming to the country.
Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development [PIBID] èMet on 4^th November 2021 with the Director General, Rev Prof Florence Muranga and other PIBID Staff in Kampala [at Makerere University]
Uganda Tourism Board [UTB] èMet on 4^th November 2021 è Benefits of Tourism to the Region & how UTB & Ministry for Tourism, Wild Life & Antiquities can support the SWRDF
Ministry of Trade, Cooperative and Industry èMet on 4^th November 2021, Met the Commissioner of Trade and other Senior Officers at the Ministry and explored how the Ministry can support the region.
National Forestry Authority [NFA] èMet on 2^nd November 2021 è Seeking for possibility of supporting the region in addressing issues of Climate Change & Environmental Mitigation
SWRDF Met Members of Parliament from South Western Region at Hotel African on 5^thNovember 2021. The purpose was to share with them what the Regional Platform was doing and the Consultations so far held with various stakeholders at Regional and National level. The purpose was to explore how the MPs from the region can support in accessing financial resources, investments in the region & any other support.

Services the platform offers

The SWRDF is providing an opportunity where the LG Leaders and Other Constituent Members [CSOs, Private Sector, Universities & other Research Institutions, Religious leaders, Women, Youth, PWDs & Minorities can come together to discuss the development challenges of the region and seek solutions.
The regional platform also plays a complementary role for Mobilizing resources and investments in the region
Lobbying and attracting private sector investments in the region
Mobilizing the Private Sector Organizations for meetings and discuss the development concerns for the region, sharing experiences and networking for business development.
Mobilizing for capacity building of the Private Sector, the regional platform and other constituent Members of CSOs, PS, FBOs, LG leaders and Technical staff among others.
Working towards promotion of peace, security and social – economic transformation
Helping Local Governments to address disjointed planning

Target Market and Customers:

Target:è Central Government, Donors, Investors, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local government Leaders [CAOs, District Chairpersons, Technical Officers], CSOs, Private Sector, Religious Institutions, PWDs, Youth, Women & Minorities
Dairy Development Authority [DDA]: SW Uganda Regional Office started in 2011/12 with 20 District but as of 2023, it has 30 Districts which includes the following; Mbarara,Rwampara, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Kazo, Lyantonde, Ibanda, Kamwengye, Kitagwenda,
Sheema, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Buhweju, Rubirizi, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kabale, Rubanda,
Rukiga, Kisoroand Kanungu (21 districts in Ankole & Kigezi Sub Regions) and in addition includes the districts of; Kasese, Kyegegwa, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabo, Rakai and Kyotera (9 Districts), all of which are 30 districts manned by the DDA SW Uganda Office in Mbarara.

Milk production and marketing in the region

Cattle population in S.W is estimated at 3.35 million head of cattle with an annual milk production estimated at 1.17 billion litres, with approximately 2.868 million litres per day being produced in the wet season and 1.447 million litres per day being produced in the dry season.
There are 230 dairy cooperatives in the region of which, 169 are active whereas 61 are non-active. There are currently a total of 549 Milk Collection Centres (MCCs), with 702 milk coolers and an average installed capacity of 2,043,000 litres .There are currently a total of 104 road milk tankers serving the region on a daily basis
There are seven large-scale milk-processing plants with a total processing capacity of 1.854 million litres per day and over 64 small-scale dairy cottages producing mostly yoghurt, ice cream, ghee and cheese.

Networks and Collaboration

The S.W region office enjoys good working relations with Local Government structures i.e. Districts and Sub-counties throughout the region, development partners with in the region and beyond i.e. East African Dairy Development Project/Heifer International, Millennium Villages of the United Nations, the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) which collaborates with DDA mainly in areas of production and productivity with specific interest on milk quality improvement within and beyond the region.
An M.O.U was signed between SNV and DDA to develop concepts to drive the agenda that are jointly approved and funded by SNV.
Other partners include; The National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRIC&DB), Community Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement Project (CAIIP)of Local Government, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), NAADS, Agriculture Business Initiative (aBi) Trust and any other associations that have a bias in dairy.

Farmer Organisations

The umbrella farmer organization is Uganda Crane Creameries Cooperative Union (UCCCU), which is followed by 7 district unions the most active being Ntungamo DFC, there are other associations that were formed to receive tractors under the presidential initiative to address milk production, productivity and dry season feeding.
There are also a number of SACCOs whose membership is largely farmers hence helping to extend affordable credit facilities to them.

Platform’s competitive advantage

SWRDF has a competitive advantage because of its unique composition. It’s an organization that draws its membership for Local Government Leaders [political leaders and technical staff], Civil Society Organization, Private Sector, Religious Institutions, Universities & other Research Institutions, Youth, Women, PWDs and Minorities
An organization being supported by GSI/USAID LPPA and which is likely to be supported by other Organizations, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Achievements and Recognition

SWRDF has so far registered a number of Achievements since its inception like; holding consultative meetings with in the region and at national level with MDAs and finally developing the following documents èRegional Platform Constitution, development the Regional Development Plan 2020/21-2029/30 and the Investment plan, which were launched by the Hon Minister of Local Government Hon. Magyezi Raphael during the AGM. In addition, the SWRDF AGM was successfully held from 6^th -7^th June 2023 and election new Steering Committee Members was also successfully done. These were oriented on their roles and responsibilities. District level engagement meetings for popularization of the regional platform was carried out between 17^th April -4^th May 2023. The Private Sector Engagement meeting was successfully held at Hotel Triangle on 6^th July 2023.
The other achievements included; GSI/ USAID LPPA coming on board to develop the regional platforms into reputable, inclusive, functional, and sustainable entities that are capable of pursuing sound, evidence-informed, large-scale, and regional-centered development approaches and initiatives.
Establishing the SWRDF offices, recruiting the Secretariat Staff, building their capacity, holding the steering committee meetings, organizing the Organizational Capacity Analysis, Disseminating the OCA results to members of the Steering Committee & Secretariat staff, training staff on various policies to mention but a few.
The SWRDF is increasing becoming recognized by the Constituent Members [LGs, PS, CSOs, FBOs, Women, Youth, PWDs & Minorities] and the Media to some level.

National, Ankole & Kigezi Development Indicators

Percent [%] of Food Poor Households by Region in 2016/17 and 2019/20

Percent [%] of the Population below the poverty line in Uganda since 1992/93- 2019/2020

Years Of Existance

Districts

Projects

About Us

Overview

The Map of South Western Region and Its Location on the Map of Uganda

Why the Regional Approach?

Vision

Mission

Core values of SWRDF

Formation of SWRDF

Processes / Methodology

Case Studies

Research Pieces

Research Pieces

Spinoff research for development – for marginalised indigenous people

National Level Engagement

The Steering Committee [SC] held Engagement Meetings with the Following Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Services the platform offers

Target Market and Customers:

Milk production and marketing in the region

Networks and Collaboration

Farmer Organisations

Platform’s competitive advantage

Achievements and Recognition

National, Ankole & Kigezi Development Indicators

Percent [%] of Food Poor Households by Region in 2016/17 and 2019/20

Percent [%] of the Population below the poverty line in Uganda since 1992/93- 2019/2020

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