Uganda - IOM and the European Union (EU) have launched a EUR 4.3 million EU-funded project: ‘Strengthening Social Cohesion and Stability in Slum Populations,” in Kampala, Uganda.

The 3.5 year project, which will be implemented in partnership with a community-based organization,   aims to address the root causes of inter-communal conflict, radicalization and violent extremism in the slums of Kampala.

Up to 1,000 young people in the slums of Bwaise, Kisenyi, Katwe and Kabalagala will be provided with employment/livelihood opportunities and other basic local services. The project also particularly targets women and other vulnerable groups.

IOM will help the Government of Uganda to strengthen social cohesion and community stability through capacity development on conflict sensitive service delivery for relevant government actors including the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Uganda Police Force), Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), the Employment Services Bureau, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Services, and Ministry of Justice.

The police will also be trained on community outreach, leading to improved police-community relations in the target communities.

The project was officially launched in one of the slum communities where it will be implemented. The event was attended by high level officials, including the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, the EU Head of Delegation, US Ambassador, IOM Regional Director, Irish Ambassador, Belgian Ambassador, British Deputy High Commissioner, Italian Deputy Head of Mission, religious leaders and others.

IOM Regional Director Jeffrey Labovitz warned that Uganda cannot achieve SDG 8.6 to which it committed itself in September 2015, unless the issue of youth unemployment is addressed. “Unemployed youth are more likely to engage in criminal activities, including joining militant and radical groups, as an alternative way to generate income,” he said.

Ugandan Minister of State for Internal Affairs Obiga Kania reiterated the government’s support for the project. “Employment can create economic and social ties, and can contribute to social cohesion,” he noted. 

The EU’s Head of Delegation to Uganda, Ambassador Kristian Schmidt added: “As Kampala grows, these communities either become hotbeds of innovation and business opportunities, or hotbeds of unemployment, frustration and crime. The youth in Kampala’s slums must not lose hope, nor become stigmatized as ‘radicals’. They deserve support, to unleash their potential, to run a business, get a job or take responsibility for their communities.”

For further information please contact Sahra Farah at IOM Kampala, Tel. +256 781280055, Email: sfarah@iom.int