1

October 2017

Prepared By Fredrick Luzze (Lead), Charles Kashungwa

and Robert Adupa

End of Project Evaluation Report For the Economic Empowerment and Self Reliance Project in

Gulu and Oyam Districts Implemented by Uganda Change Agent Association (UCAA) 2015-2017

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Acronyms

FCA Finn Church Aid FGD Focus Group Discussions HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome

IGAs Income Generating Activities KIIs Key Informant Interviews LC Local Council MP Member of Parliament NDP National Development Plan NGO Non Governmental Organisation NUSAF Northern Uganda Social Action Fund RAs Research Assistants SACCOS Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies SDG Sustainable Development Goals SGBV Sexual Based Gender Violence SMS Short Messages TOR Terms of Reference TOT Trainer of Trainers UBOS Uganda Bureau Of Statistics UCAA Uganda Change Agent Association ULICO Ulinzi Innovations Consult Limited VCAT Village Change Agent Training VSLA Village Savings and Loan Associations WB Women’s Bank

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Map of Uganda Showing Location of the Project Maps of Gulu and Oyam Districts

Gulu District

Oyam District

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Acknowledgement First and foremost I would like to express my gratitude to FCA and UCAA for availing Ulinzi Innovations Consult Limited (ULICO) with the opportunity to undertake this assignment and for all the technical guidance and support provided to the Evaluation Team. Special thanks go to the FCA Programme Manager Mr. Stephen Ssenkima, UCAA Executive Director Ms. Lucy Akello Ayena, The UCAA Programme Director Mr. Christopher Bwambale, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Ms. Rhona Akankunda the Project Officer Ms.Harriet Abeja for supporting the process especially through data collection planning, respondents mobilization and provision of useful information and insights that have informed report writing. Special appreciation also goes to the UCAA Change agents that included Mr. Ronny Lakony, Mr. Dickson Komakech from Gulu District and Mr. Joel Angiro from Oyam District who helped with mobilizing respondents. Conducting this Evaluation was also eased by the substantial input from the different stakeholders who interacted with the Evaluation Team while at Gulu and Oyam Districts as well as at the Sub County Level. In this regard, our appreciation also goes to the key informants who included staff from Gulu and Oyam District Local Governments, Change Agent Association Leaders, Gulu District Women MP, LC III and District Councilors as well as staff from likeminded NGOs. The Research Assistants who included Ms. Flora Odwar Okello, Ms. Lilian Aloyo, Ms. Brenda Aromorach, Ms. Pasca Auma, Ms. Cinderalla Aber and Ms. Agnes AKullu are recognized for their contribution towards data collection. Lastly, the contribution to this report by Mr. Charles Kashungwa, and Mr. Robert Adupa; who are my professional colleagues at Ulinzi Innovations Consult Limited (ULICO) is also acknowledged with appreciation. Fredrick Luzze (Lead-Consultant)

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Table of Contents Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................... i Map of Uganda Showing Location of the Project ........................................................................................... ii Maps of Gulu and Oyam Districts ................................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgement ..................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................ vi Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. vii 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Context and Background ............................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Goals and Objectives of the End of Project Evaluation ................................................................... 2

1.3 Scope of the End of the Project Evaluation ................................................................................... 2

2.0 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 3 2.1 Evaluation Approach .................................................................................................................. 3

2.2 Sampling, Sample Size Determination for beneficiaries ................................................................. 3

2.3 Preparation for Data Collection .................................................................................................... 4

2.4 Data Collection and Analysis ....................................................................................................... 4

2.5 Data Quality Assurance, Entry and Analysis ................................................................................. 5

2.6 Study limitations ......................................................................................................................... 5

3.0 Evaluation Findings .................................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Relevance of the Project ............................................................................................................. 6

3.1.1 Alignment to District and National Priorities ............................................................................... 6

Source: UBOS 2016/17 Uganda National Household Survey ................................................................. 7

3.1.2 Participation and Ownership of Project Beneficiaries ................................................................. 8

3.1.3 Alignment to FCA and UCAA Strategic Plans ............................................................................ 8

3.2 Achievement of Planned Outputs ................................................................................................. 8

3.2.1 Factors that contributed to the Project’s Success and Lessons Learned ................................... 10

3.2.2 Challenges to Project Implementation ............................................................................................ 12

3.3 Efficiency of UCAA Approach and Delivery ................................................................................. 12

3.4 Achievement of Project Objectives and Impact Created on Rights Holders .................................... 13

3.4.1 Increased Participation of Women of Northern Uganda in Economic Activities by 2017 ............... 13

3.4.2 Increased Access to Productive Resources by Women in Northern Uganda by 2017 ..................... 20

3.5 Impact of the Project on Rights Holders ...................................................................................... 24

3.6 Sustainability ........................................................................................................................... 27

4.0 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 28 5.0 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 29

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Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. 30 Annex I: Sampling Model ...................................................................................................................... 30

1 Krejcie and Morgan (1970) Sample Size Estimation Table ................................................................... 30 Annex II: Terms of Reference for End of Project Evaluation ..................................................................... 31

Annex III: Project Documents Reviewed ................................................................................................. 31

Annex IV: List of Respondents .............................................................................................................. 31

Annex V: Data Collection Tools ............................................................................................................. 31

Annex VI: Data Sets ............................................................................................................................. 31

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List of Figures Figure 1: Access to Financial Services in Uganda ......................................................................................... 7

Figure 2: Access to Financial Services in Lango and Acholi Regions .............................................................. 7

Figure 3: Utilization of Social Welfare Group Funds ..................................................................................... 15

Figure 4: Size of Loans Obtained ............................................................................................................... 16

Figure 5: Utilization of Loans by Beneficiaries ............................................................................................. 17

Figure 6: Types of new Business Started .................................................................................................... 17

Figure 7: Support Received from UCAA ..................................................................................................... 18

Figure 8: Benefits Accruing from Training in Good Agronomic Practices ........................................................ 19

Figure 9: Benefits Accruing from Training in Enterprise Development ............................................................ 19

Figure 10: Access to Support Provided by other Development Actors ........................................................... 20

Figure 11: Access and Ownership to Land .................................................................................................. 21

Figure 12: Types of Land Ownership and Size of additional land .................................................................. 21

Figure 13: Modes of Acquisition of land ..................................................................................................... 22

Figure 14: Factors that Impede Acquisition of Land by Women ..................................................................... 23

Figure 15: Additional Support Needed by Women to acquire land ................................................................. 23

Figure 16: Animals bought from Loans Obtained by Beneficiaries ................................................................. 23

Figure 17 Productive Assets Obtained ....................................................................................................... 24

List of Tables Table 1: Achievement of Project Targets ...................................................................................................... 8

Table 2: Savings by Project Beneficiaries ................................................................................................... 14

Table 3: Growth in Group Savings for Selected Groups (2015-2017)............................................................. 14

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Executive Summary

Introduction and objectives: Founded in 1992, the Uganda Change Agent Association (UCAA) is a member-based registered non-profit organization formed by Ugandan development workers. It specializes in training and promotion of self-reliant participatory development initiatives. UCAA received funding to the tune of Euros 300,000 from the Women’s Bank through Finn Church Aid for the period 2015-2015 to implement the Women’s Economic Empowerment Project aimed at improving livelihoods of women in Unyama and Awach Sub-counties in Gulu District and Otwal and Acaba Sub-Counties in Oyam District. The specific objectives for the project were: i) To increase participation of women of Northern Uganda in economic activities and ii) to increase-access to productive resources by women in Northern Uganda by 2017 among 900 women. It was anticipated that the project would empower the rights holders to take personal responsibility for their own development as well as demand for their rights from the duty bearers. Purpose of the evaluation: The evaluation sought to assess the impact and sustainability of the project and how it achieved the intended objectives; draw specific lessons learned and to make recommendations for future programming. The specific objectives of the evaluation included: (i)to collect and analyze end line data so as to determine the extent to which the project targets were achieved and the mechanisms put in place by the project to sustain the results, (ii) identify key lessons learnt and good practices that can be used in future projects, (iii) assess the extent to which the project objectives were achieved and determine the impact that the project created on the targeted rights holders, (iv) assess the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of the project, (v) measure the extent of sustainability attained to date and propose what more needed/needs to be done to ensure sustainability (vi) make context specific recommendations that will provide learning that allows FCA/WB/UCAA to monitor change, track the effectiveness of similar project intervention efforts, and integrate new learning methodologies in its efforts to build community capacities. Methodology: The evaluation methodology was descriptive and cross-sectional in design entailing the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods. 274 household interviews, eight Focused Group Discussions and 20 Key Informant Interviews were conducted to obtain a holistic picture of the project performance. The evaluation limitations included inability to verify some of the claims by respondents through home visits, but this challenge was overcome through triangulation and use of secondary information from project reports.. Project Evaluation Findings: In regard to relevance of the project, the Evaluation Team observed that the project objectives were well aligned with National and District level development objectives, SDG-Number 5, District and Sub-County goals of furtherance of women’s economic empowerment. The project objectives are also in line with and directly contribute to FCA’s thematic area of Right to Education, Livelihood and Peace and to UCAA’s strategic objective of enhancing livelihoods through the formation of self-help groups and encouragement of rural men and women to mobilize economic and social capital through participation in self-help groups. The project’s emphasis on eradicating poverty and expansion of financial inclusion were found to be relevant to the needs of rural poor women from Northern Uganda a region that has economically lagged behind especially after suffering a 20 year period of civil conflict, Achievement of Planned Outputs: On the whole, the output performance of the project was rated at 79%. The factors responsible for enhancing project success included: the implementation of the pilot phase from which important lessons and best practices were obtained and UCAA’s well anchored theory of change which is premised on primarily changing the ‘mind set’ of rural poor women and men,

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and the engagement of local authorities and local leaders. Failure to reach 100% was largely attributed to

under budgeting of activities and the fact that the evaluation was conducted when there were some planned activities that were still to be implemented. The project was able to reach more that the targeted 900 women and the 30 women’s VSLA groups. Increased Participation of Women in Economic Activities: Participation and ownership has been strengthened though the establishment of a UCAA structure from grassroots at Parish Level to Sub-County, to District and to National Level. 1,029 women were reached with the UCAA VSLA methodology, 90% of whom accessed credit from their own VSLA compared to the national average of 31%. These women were trained and obtained skills in Group Management and Leadership; Record Keeping, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Land/Women’s Rights, which skills enhanced their livelihood human capital assets. 97% of women participating in the project were saving of whom 85.5% saved consistently. Mean annual savings per member although small (shs244,373 -264,259) made great starting strides in the lives of women. Besides savings, women contributed to their own social welfare funds which constituted about one tenth of members saving. This became an important source of funds for many of women’s domestic and emergency requirements compared to the previous loan sources, thus helping to buffer members’ savings. The benefits that women derived from loans included: meeting family needs (71%), starting new income generating businesses (41%), expansion of businesses (35%), investment in crop or livestock (32%) purchase of productive assets (9%). Increase in women’s incomes: Ninety five percent of the women realized a significant increase in income with a mean of shs309,508 in 2016 representing a 42% increase over the first two years of the project. Although a seemingly small amount, this income contributed to between 7-9% of household monthly earnings from a bare minimum. Enterprise Development and Agricultural Skills Training: Ninety three percent of the women received skills training compared to 20% at the start of the project. Benefits accruing from the training included: adoption of better agronomic and animal husbandry practices (88%), increased productivity (74%), reduction in pre and post harvest losses (55%), access to better markets/produce prices (48%), better quality products (45%) and increased acreage (16%). Business Development training impacted positively on the livelihoods of beneficiaries leading to increased savings (91%), increased incomes (83%), start of new income generating projects (70%), accessing credit/loan/grant facilities (53%), expansion of businesses (43%) and diversification of business (16%). Increased Access to Productive Resources by Women: Access to land is a very critical factor of production especially in rural agrarian economies where most of the population is still dependent on subsistence production. 89% of the women had access to land although only 60% owned the land. , Most of the women still access to customary and family land (80%), compared to (16%), who have either purchased or inherited land. Cultural beliefs which hitherto restricted women from owning land are slowly fading away with interventions such as this project. Nonetheless, 57% of the women had increased the size of land under their possession by 3-10 acres. Majority of the women had started owning other productive assets including livestock, farm implements, and even larger assets such as boda boda motorcycles, and grinding mills. Impact of the Project on Rights Holders: Some of the observed impacts on the lives of the beneficiaries can be seen from the changes in behaviour, practices, and attitudes. Observed impacts included: improved welfare and wellbeing such as eating better and balanced diets, improved

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healthcare, education for their children, improved living environment/houses, expanding livelihood sources for greater income security, greater confidence and respect in families and society, reduced domestic violence and greater household productivity as well as harmony and peace in homes. General recommendations: Generated for learning and informing future programming include: (a) A one year extension of the project if possible, to allow for completion of activities especially under Key Result Area II, consolidation of results and planning for a better phase out of the project. (ii)Establishment of UCAA District Field Offices to enhance visibility and facilitate coordination with project beneficiaries and District stakeholders. (iii) Provision of a budget for motivating Change Agents especially where they are directly engaged in supporting project.

Programme Specific Recommendations include the following:

UCAA should consider integrating/scaling up SGBV, Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS in its programming

Deliberately target and engage men since they are often more resistant to change due to changing power relations and are usually the main perpetuators of violence against women and children.

In collaboration with other actors explore the use of innovative technology to improve service delivery. These could include use of mobile money technology and use of electronic media such structured radio programs to reach project beneficiaries and totarget the community at large

Assist project beneficiaries to enhance incomes at the different levels of the value chain(s) through markets research and value addition.

Streamline the TOT approach to bring trainings as close as possible to the groups and to scale up use of locally available community resource persons such as retired extension workers and unemployed youth professionals etc,

Carry out sensitization at all levels to challenge cultural, religious beliefs and practices that hinder women from enjoyment of their human rights.

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Context and Background Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish Development Cooperation Organization and the second largest provider of humanitarian aid in Finland. FCA operates in over 15 countries. FCA works with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political affiliations. FCA’s work is based on promotion of human dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms, implying that FCA’s operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination and responsibility. FCA’s work in Uganda focuses on promoting sustainable livelihoods, education in emergency, development education and peace. The Uganda country program compliments Finland’s traditional concern for the world’s poorest, most vulnerable people and marginalized groups. Northern Uganda experienced over two decades of armed conflict between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and several armed rebel groups. This conflict resulted in livelihood gaps and challenges. Despite several initiatives by Government of Uganda to mitigate the effects of armed conflict, there remained livelihood gaps manifested in form of low food and nutrition security, low household incomes, increased vulnerability, dwindling well-being, limited rights of access and deteriorating human dignity in post-conflict settings. Uganda Change Agent (UCAA) developed this project in 20141 seeking to improve livelihoods of women in Unyama Sub-county in Gulu District and Otwal Sub-County of Oyam District. Later in 2015, the project was extended to two other sub counties of Awach in Gulu District and Achaba in Oyam District, increasing the Sub-Counties targeted to be reached from two to four. The specific objectives of the project were:

1-Increased participation of women of northern Uganda in economic activities by 2017 2-Increased access to productive resources by women in northern Uganda by 2017

The primary focus group for the project was a total of 900 women organized in groups from the targeted areas. These target groups mostly comprised of poor grassroots women engaged in subsistence agricultural production, small scale artisans, and petty traders as their main forms of occupation. Among the target groups was a significant number of out-of-school female youths that had attained adulthood but lacked gainful employment. It was anticipated that the project would empower the rights holders to take personal responsibility for their own development as well as demand for their rights from the duty bearers. This report presents a summary of key findings from an evaluation conducted by Ulinzi Innovations Consult Limited covering the 3 year project life (2015-2017).

1The first year of the project is considered the pilot phase of the project but the focus for this evaluation is the project period 2015-2017

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1.2 Goals and Objectives of the End of Project Evaluation The goal and objectives as drawn by FCA and stipulated in the End of Project Evaluation Terms of Reference (ToR) are indicated here below: “To assess the impact and sustainability of the project and how it achieved the intended objectives and to draw specific lessons learned and recommendations for future programming. The evaluation results will be used for improvement of similar future projects implemented by FCA and the Women’s Bank. The purpose of the final evaluation was to “assess the level to which the project achieved its intended objectives and to draw specific recommendations to improve future projects. The evaluation will be used to lay strategies for making improvements in similar future projects. The specific objectives of this end of project evaluation were as follows:

1. Collect and analyze end line data so as to determine the extent to which the project targets were achieved and the mechanisms put in place by the project to sustain the results.

2. Identify key lessons learnt and good practices that can be used in future projects. 3. Assess the extent to which the project objectives were achieved and determine the impact

created by the project created on the target rights holders. 4. Assess the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of the project 5. Measure the extent of sustainability attained to date and propose what more needed/needs to

be done to ensure sustainability. 6. Make context specific recommendations that will provide learning that allows FCA/WB/UCAA to

monitor change, track the effectiveness of similar project intervention efforts, and integrate new learning methodologies into its efforts to build community capacities.

1.3 Scope of the End of the Project Evaluation The scope of this end of project evaluation was determined by the need to establish the relevance, effectiveness, impact, efficiency, participation and ownership of the project. The scope was further informed by the desire to assess the embracement of gender equity as a cross cutting issue and also the need to capture lessons learned.

Geographically the evaluation covered all the 4 Sub-Counties where the project was implemented namely; Unyama and Awach in Gulu District and Otwal and Achaba Sub-Counties in Oyam District. The primary focus of the evaluation was the 900 women project beneficiaries belonging to groups targeted by the project for livelihood improvement. Other categories of respondents included stakeholders and duty bearers such as the FCA and UCAA staff, Area Women MPs, Parish and District Counsellors, Sub-County Chiefs, among others.

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2.0 Methodology 2.1 Evaluation Approach The evaluation was descriptive and cross-sectional in design and entailed the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative methods used included review of important project and organizational documents such as the project proposal, FCA and UCAA Strategic Plans, Quarterly and Annual Reports, the Project Baseline Survey Report, and a collection of UCAA Development Philosophical Guides and Training Manuals. Other qualitative methods included conducting key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions. On the whole, a total of 20 key informant interviews and 8 FGDs were conducted. Key Informants included the FCA and UCAA staff, Gulu District Women Member of Parliament, Women Councilors, Sub-County and Parish Chiefs as well as Community Development Officers. In addition, the evaluation also employed observation and collection of stories of most significant change. Quantitative methods on the other hand included the use of a household survey questionnaire that was administered to project beneficiaries. Other quantitative methods used included where possible the transformation of qualitative data sets generated from secondary sources such as project progress reports, logical framework/theory of change (TOC) etc into quantitative scores, numbers, rates and proportions to provide a solid foundation for assessing project outputs and outcomes.

2.2 Sampling, Sample Size Determination for beneficiaries The sample frame for the evaluation was the lists of women organized in groups who include those engaged in subsistence agriculture, small scale artisanry and petty trade. The sample size was determined using the R.V. Krejcie and D. W. Morgan (1970) sample size estimation model based on the following formula:

S = X2NP (1-P)/ d2 (N-1) + X2P (1-P) Where S = required sample size X2 = the table value of chi-square for one degree of freedom at the desired confidence level N = the population size P = the population proportion (assumed to be 0.50 since this would provide the maximum sample size) d = the degree of accuracy expressed as a proportion (0.05)

. The above sample is considered sufficient to provide statistically scientific data (Appendix 1). Given that the project was targeting 900 women/households, a sample of 269 households was derived for the household survey. The household survey covered all the four sub counties in which the project operated with an average of 67 respondents interviewed in each sub county. Parishes formed the Primary Sampling Frame. Eight Parishes were purposefully selected to cater for the varying contexts and factors such as semi urban/rural beneficiary communities, length of participation in the project--, varying production zones, etc. Selecting eight out of 18 parishes where the projected operates ensured that the evaluation covered more than 30% of the participating parishes which is recommended by various researchers as being sufficient2.

2For instance, according to Saiful (2011) a sample size larger than 30% of the total population is appropriate for most research. This was

also corroborated by Roscoe (1975)2 and Griffin and Hauser J in their sampling size saturation studies.

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2.3 Preparation for Data Collection a) Evaluation Framework Matrix The Evaluation Team developed an Evaluation Framework Matrix to address the key questions as specified in the TOR of the End of Project Evaluation. The framework matrix was used to expound on the objectives and scope of the assignment in order to provide a wider interpretation of the evaluation parameters, determined data sources and the data collection methods. The framework matrix was also used to inform the development of data collection tools. b) Documents Review and Inception Meeting

The Evaluation Team conducted a comprehensive documentary review to get a better understanding of the background to the assignment. This informed the development of the inception report and guided the design of data collection tools. The list of documents reviewed is provided in Appendix III. Following the signing of the contract, an inception meeting was held between the FCA Humanitarian Programme Manager and the Lead Consultant, during which project documents were shared. An inception report was prepared and shared with FCA and UCAA in Kampala on the October 10, 2017. Two separate entry/planning meetings were held with UCAA Staff and Change Agents in Gulu and Oyam Districts on the 16th and 17th October 2017, respectively. c) Design of Data Collection Tools Data collection tools including a household survey questionnaire were designed basing on the Evaluation Matrix. After review of the household survey tool with UCAA, the tool was pretested to establish the “readability” of the questions; determine whether respondents would be able to answer all questions, assess the length/monotony of the questionnaire and to get insight into how respondents would react to sensitive questions. d) Recruitment and Orientation of Research Assistants A competent team of six (6) Research Assistants (RAs) (3from Gulu and 3fromOyam) were recruited for data collection. The selection criteria for the Research Assistants included being conversant with the local language, availability for the duration of the data collection period and the possession of basic interviewing skills. Pretesting of the tools was done to ensure consistency and harmony during the data collection exercise. The Consultants directly supervised and guided the Research Assistants during data collection in the field.

2.4 Data Collection and Analysis a) Quantitative Methods: A household survey covering 274 respondents was conducted in all the

four Sub-Counties that were targeted by the project.

b) Qualitative Methods: Qualitative methods used included; in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, document review, observations as well as capturing stories/testimonials of most significant change. The following is a synopsis of the qualitative methods used.

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Key Informant Interviews: The Evaluation Team purposely selected Informants who had extensive knowledge about the project. These included FCA and UCAA staff, Change Agents, political leaders including the Area Women Member of Parliament, Councilors at District and Sub-County levels, and from relevant Local Government Departments. Respondents for the in-depth interviews were contacted directly mainly at their places of work or met at their usual group meeting points. A total of 20 KIIs were conducted. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Focus Group Discussions were mainly conducted with VSLA women groups, Change Agents and Association representatives. Outcomes from FGDs were summarized in themes as they emerged from the focus groups. The themes were categorized into coherent groups that shared similar dimensions. Quotations from the respondents were also incorporated to illustrate each of the themes. Stories of Most Significant Change: Stories of Most Significant Change were collected to illustrate and capture quick gains in the lives of project beneficiaries.. These stories were also used in triangulating information derived from other sources and to provide vital information regarding project outcomes, benefits, lessons learned and challenges. Observation: The study also employed the observation method particularly in examining/viewing the facilities provided under the project in terms of quality and quantity. Specific observational questions were also included in the household survey to capture information on some sensitive issues.

2.5 Data Quality Assurance, Entry and Analysis The Evaluation Team designed a data base in excel to facilitate data entry. Completed questionnaires were checked by the Consultants on spot and errors or oversights were immediately rectified. Thereafter, the checked questionnaires were swiftly passed onto the data entry team to facilitate timely data entry. Quantitative data was entered and analyzed using the SPSS software package. Summaries were generated as frequencies and presented in tabular formats and charts. In addition, data was interpreted and inferences made from findings for both quantitative and qualitative studies for purposes of report production.

2.6 Study limitations Although the evaluation largely went on smoothly with support from UCAA and Change Agents on the ground, the Evaluation Team faced a few limitations that included not being able to verify information obtained from the respondents of the household survey and FGDs through observation since respondents were being met at meeting points rather than in their household settings. The heavy rains and bad roads also made it difficult for the Evaluation Team to reach some of the women’s groups in time. This left little time for the team to visit households.

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3.0 Evaluation Findings

3.1 Relevance of the Project

3.1.1 Alignment to District and National Priorities

Regarding the relevancy of the project, the Evaluation Team observed that the project objectives were well aligned to the District and National level development objectives. At national level, the National Development Plan (NDP) II which is the overarching planning framework for national development aims to increase household incomes and promote equity; increase access to quality social services; enhance human capital development and strengthen good governance, defense and security. In pursuance of SDG-Goal 5, the Government of Uganda committed itself to undertake reforms that would give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources in accordance with national laws. Although poverty reduction in Uganda has remained impressive since 2006, and is second fastest reduction in extreme poverty per year in Sub-Saharan Africa, this has coincided with a period of low economic growth. As a result, more than a third of its citizens still live below the poverty line of US$1.90. Yet for every three Ugandans that moved out of poverty, two fell into poverty. Poverty has also become increasingly concentrated in the Northern and Eastern regions of the country3. Initiatives such as the Women’s Economic Empowerment Project are vital in supporting Government’s poverty reduction efforts. On a positive note, because much of Uganda’s poverty reduction drive is premised on the agricultural sector, any income growth in this sector has particularly benefited poor households. The return of peace to Northern Uganda, improved regional crop markets, and good weather were also driving growth in agricultural incomes4. Access to financial services is one of the keys to alleviating poverty and achieving sustainable economic growth in Uganda, yet financial inclusion in Uganda is still limited at 55% (53% Mobile money, 11% Banks and 6% Non Bank Financial Institutions5. The 2015 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Financial Access Survey showed that 1 out of every 2 bank branches in Uganda is located in the 3 largest cities in Uganda. As is illustrated in Figure I, women have less access to the whole range of financial services especially banks (7%) and Non Bank Financial Institutions. The situation is further exacerbated if the women are poor and/or are resident in rural areas. Mobilization of savings and provision of credit/capital to poor/rural women through participation in women groups is very strategic in closing the financial exclusion gap. The VSLA methodology also helps attract resources into investment since most money is kept home or in a secret place as the most commonly used mechanism for saving (33%).

3The Uganda Poverty Assessment Report 2016 Farms, Cities and Good Fortune : assessing poverty reduction in Uganda from 2006 to 2013, World Bank Group 4 Ibid 5 Source: InterMedia Uganda FII Tracker survey Wave 4 (N=3,000, 15+), July-August 2016.

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Figure 1: Access to Financial Services in Uganda

In Figure 2 below, data from the UBOS 2016/17 Uganda National Household Survey report, regional data shows that only 8% and 9% were saving with banks in Lango and Acholi regions respectively, while 37% and 34% were saving with VSLA groups. Only 11 percent sought loans/credit from formal sources. In Uganda, at the national level, sources of loans from formal sources included commercial banks (9%) and SACCOs (7%) while among the informal sources; VSLAs were predominant (31%). The percentage of persons using VSLAs in the country is highest in Acholi (63%) and it can be deduced that UCAA being one of the main actors in the region is a contributor to this success.

Figure 2: Access to Financial Services in Lango and Acholi Regions

Lango Region Acholi Region

Source: UBOS 2016/17 Uganda National Household Survey

Bank8 %

Sacco1 %

Home/ Secret Place37 %

VSLA29 %

Mobile Money

6 %

Rosca1 %

Other15 %

Not saving3 %

Acholi0 %

Bank9 %

Sacco0 %

Home/ Secret Place35 %

VSLA34 %

Mobile Money

6 %

Rosca3 %

Other11 %

Not saving3 %

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The projects’ initiatives to address gender disparity through promotion of women’s rights to access and ownership of to land was also found to be very relevant in a context where women property rights have often been disregarded yet land is a very important factor of production.. The right by women to own, inherit, manage and dispose of property is under constant attack from customs, laws and individuals who believe that women cannot be trusted with or do not deserve to own property in their own right.6 According to the Women’s Land Rights Movement, women provide 70-80 % of all agricultural labor and over 90 percent of all labor involving food crop production in Uganda. Ensuring access and ownership of land by women as a productive asset is therefore a very important initiative.

3.1.2 Participation and Ownership of Project Beneficiaries

It was established that through mobilization of women into VSLA groups, the project beneficiaries had been facilitated to participate, implement and own the initiative/project. Though still in infancy, the project has as a higher tier – establishment at Sub-County level composed of membership based associations where each association is represented by its Chairperson and Secretary. The association members who are now responsible for training groups after undergoing TOT training, have formed their VSLAs, and are facilitating inter group visits and financing. The Associations are also responsible for advocacy, providing awareness on women’s land rights, soliciting technical support and engaging duty bearers at Sub-County level. There are also plans to form District level associations, which with the participation of Change Agents and VCAT graduates will form structures that link project beneficiaries to Districts and with the UCAA representatives at regional level. The Evaluation Team learnt that the project had strongly engaged District Local Government Officials and political leaders in mobilization, training and monitoring project interventions especially at Sub-County and Parish level.

3.1.3 Alignment to FCA and UCAA Strategic Plans

The project was found to be in line with and directly contributing to FCA thematic area of: Right to Education, Right to Livelihood and Right to Peace. The project was also found to be well aligned with UCAA’s the strategic objective of enhancing livelihoods through the formation of self-help groups and encouraging rural men and women to mobilize economic and social capital through participation in self-help groups.

3.2 Achievement of Planned Outputs Basing on project reports reviewed and the finding of the evaluation, Table1below demonstrates the extent to which the project was able to achieve the planned project targets. Table 1: Achievement of Project Targets

Output Target Achieved % Achievement

Reasons for variance

RESULT 1.1- Increased participation of women in economic activities in Northern Uganda by 2017

Output 1.1.1:Sensitisation meeting for district Officials of Gulu and Oyam districts conducted and project launched

2 Meetings Two project launches were conducted and attended by 101 (54 males and 47 females)

100%

Output 1.1.2:mobilization meetings 4 Meetings Five meetings were conducted 125% One extra meeting was

6Women’s land Rights Movement; Biannual Newsletter, Volume 3 June 2013

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Output Target Achieved % Achievement

Reasons for variance

for the project with Sub-County Local Leadership Conducted

and attended by 144 females and 34 males and 37 sub county officials

held

Output 1.1.3: a baseline survey conducted

1 Survey at start of project

The Baseline survey was conducted as planned

100%

Output 1.1.4: sensitization meetings for VSLA Groups Conducted

4 Community sensitisation meetings conducted at Unyama & Otwal

4 community meetings planned were conducted with attendanceof1, 955 People.

100%

Output 1.1.5: Women trainedin VSLA Development and Management

900 Women group women of Gulu and Oyam trained

A total of 976 women had so far been trained

108% Targeted groups reached 39 groups exceeding the planned 30.

Output 1.1.6: Follow up and supervision meetings attended by project staff

90 meetings A total of84follow up meetings have been conducted

93% Expected to be completed by end of 4th quarter

Output 1.1.7: Women trained in entrepreneurship skills.

900 women trained 481Womentrained by UCAA staff and consultants and 339 Women by TOT

91%

TOT approach expected to reach all 900 women. In addition 80 women will be trained in remaining period

Output 1.1.8(a): Exchange Visits for VSLA members to Learn from other groups Conducted

150 Women Members, participate in VSLA Exchange Visits

90 women supported to undertake exposure visits

60% 30 women planned to be taken to Kasese during 4th quarter

Output 1.1.8 (b) women trained in Group Leadership and Management

150 women trained in group leadership and management

140 women were trained during quarter 2

93% What are the plans for the remaining 10 women ie 150-140

Output 1.1.9Village Change Agent Training (VCAT) courses for 30 groups of the women conducted

30 training sessions conducted

32 sessions conducted,628 women and 8 men were reached

106% Women in some groups requested their male Local Leaders to join them.

Output 1.1.10Women trained in good agricultural practices

30 trainings conducted 19 trainings conducted with total of 380 women

63% UCAA Plans to conduct four other sessions in the remaining month of the project

Output1.1.11Follow-up and support supervision visits of VCAT and improved agricultural practices conducted.

60 visits conducted 30 support supervision visits conducted

50% UCAA under budgeted for the planned target of 60 supervision support visits The project staff however reported that they were able to reach all beneficiaries that had undergone VCAT and Agriculture training. There are also plans to conduct more visits in the remaining project period.

RESULT 2.1: To increase women’s access to productive resources by Dec 2017

10

Output Target Achieved % Achievement

Reasons for variance

Output 2.1.1 Women Trained in advocacy skills

900 women in Gulu and Oyam trained

360 592 women were trained in Advocacy.37 Sub County Officials engaged and made some commitments of supporting the women

66% Due to Budget Constraints, the project delivery approach changed from direct to TOT approach and thus more women were reached indirectly.

Output 2.1.2 community members Sensitized on Gender, and Culture

900 people sensitized 615 community memberstrained during 2016.

68%

Output2.1.3 Clan and traditional leaders Sensitized on Women rights

100 clan and traditional leaders

60 Clan and traditional leaders sensitized using TOT approach to reach other leaders

60% UCAA faced budget constraints

Output 3.1.4 women Sensitized n land rights

900 women sensitized on land rights

Land rights trainings reached 139 women.

15.4% UCAA faced budget constraints, but there are plans to train 120 more women

Output 3.1.5 follow up visits on the advocacy trainings and enterprise trainings conducted

900 women followed up to ascertain their performance following trainings attended

30 follow up visits made to reaching 370 women.

41%

UCAA had budget challenges

Key

Achieved beyond planned targets

Achieved within the range of planned targets

Achieved but far below planned targets

Under achieved

Overall, projects’ output performance was rated at 79% which is also close to the staff assessment rate of 80% for project performance over the three year project life. This is collaborated by staff rating for the project’s performance which was scored between 7 and 8 on a scale ranging from 1-10. Failure to reach 100% was largely attributed to under budgeting of activities and the fact that the evaluation was conducted when there were some planned activities that were still to be implemented. The project was able to reach more that the targeted 900 women and the 30 women’s VSLA groups. New interventions that were originally not among the planned undertakings such us formation of Sub County Associations were also achieved. It was also observed that to a small extent the project was able to directly target men. However, some planned areas of intervention especially under result area II were under achieved. . Perhaps this representation may change for the better if the unaccomplished outputs are delivered before the close of the last quarter of the project. The next section summarizes factor that enhance project performance and challenges faced during project implementation.

3.2.1 Factors that contributed to the Project’s Success and Lessons Learned

A number of factors were observed to be responsible for enhancing the project success. These included the following:

The project proceeded a one year pilot phase, where important lessons and best practices were obtained and included in the carry-on project design

In both Gulu and Oyam Districts, the Women’s Economic Empowerment project was implemented

within the existing community-based structures of UCAA Change Agents. The Change Agents played a very vital role throughout the project cycle that included community mobilization, sensitization and dialogue, training, and monitoring the women groups. It was observed by the Evaluation Team that without the presence of the Change Agents, it would have been difficult for UCAA to successfully

11

implement the project given the skeleton project staff structure that was based at the UCAA Regional Office in Lira. The engagement of Change Agents who were resident in targeted communities as volunteers made it easier for UCAA to implement the project since they were familiar with local language, customs and culture. The engagement of Change Agents as volunteers in the project also made it more cost effective. The presence of the Change Agent structures also helped to compensate for the absence of a UCAA office in both districts where the project was implemented.

UCAA ‘s theory of change is premised on a strong philosophy that conceives issues of poverty as being

primarily influenced among others by ones’ mind set and ones’ world view. The UCAA approach therefore on top of promoting the VSLA approach also helps/helped project beneficiaries to reflect on factors in their behaviors and environment that hold them back from being self reliance. At group level, selected groups were taken througha14-day - Village Change Agent Training (VCAT) which addressed issues like communication, facilitation, poverty analysis, development theory, conscientisation/reflection, group management and income generating activities such as bookkeeping and investment analysis. All these form the vital pre-conditions for success

“Our Philosophy involves going to the people, living with them, loving and learning

from them, starting with what they have, building on what they know, and when

work has been done, we want the people to claim the credit. We believe in

conscientisation of the mind and enhancing self reliance (UCAA Programme Director)

It was also observed by the Evaluation Team that UCAA strongly collaborated and engaged local authorities and local leaders especially at Sub-County and Parish level in project implementation. Local authorities helped not only in mobilizing and sensitization of target communities, but also played a key role in enforcing group regulations, resolving conflict within the groups and addressing cases of domestic violence in targeted households, especially culminating from the changing economic status of beneficiaries.

“UCAA activities compliment our work. They are our partners in community

development. The aspect of women empowerment is in our s/c development plan

but we do not have the capacity to generate sufficient internal funds to

implement this component and so we are happy with UCAA who is doing this on

our behalf. UCAA is doing what we should have done. If there are funds, UCAA

work and approach should continue”,(KII Sub County Chief Otwal)

The supportive and long-term relationship with FCA was also mentioned as being on the key

factors responsible for the successful implementation for the project as is indicated from the quotation below;

“UCAA has had along partnership relationship with FCA, Originally FCA used to

give ‘basket funding’, but this later changed to project specific funding. FCA also

funded the initial 1-year Pilot phase of this project. Apart from funding, FCA has

supported several capacity building initiatives that included conducting an

Organisational Capacity Assessment, development of assorted policies and

training of staff in areas such as Gender Mainstreaming, Rights Based Approach,

and Procurement etc. FCA staff also provided technical back stopping to the

project” (Executive Director UCAA).

12

3.2.2 Challenges to Project Implementation

The following challenges were flagged by project beneficiaries and implementers:

Budgetary constraints: Under budgeting and inflation led to budgetary deficiency affecting implementation of some project activities. For instance, workshop based trainings became very costly. This was mitigated by introducing the TOT approach as a cost cutting measure.

Crop and animal pests and diseases: Beneficiaries were affected by outbreaks of pests and diseases affecting crops including army worms and caterpillars as well as swine fever for pigs. Long dry spells for example in the first planting seasons of 2017 also led to crop failure. Such occurrences interrupted saving and loan repayment for some women.

Sexual and Gender Based Violence: Improvements in the economic status of women

benefiting from the project tended to challenge the strong patriarchal cultural status quo leading to domestic violence and fights over proceeds. Male involvement also tended to be limited necessitating inclusion of SGBV components in future projects.

Accessing stable and rewarding markets: Nearly all groups visited identified the lack of clear

markets, inability to accurately interpret market signals inability to access better markets, as major challenges. Low fluctuating food commodity prices and difficulty in finding markets for business products were also cited as hindrances to doing business.

Communication to groups is not based on equal opportunity basis. Sub-County agents were

reported to convey information to preferred or more accessible groups. This however was corrected by UCAA by giving equal opportunity to all beneficiaries.

Limited access to financial services: Women said following business skills training, their demand for loans tended to exceed their internal savings by far, yet it was not easy for them to access finance from banks and Non-Bank Finance Institutions.

Visibility and Presence: The absence of operational UCAA offices in the districts of Gulu and

Oyam were cited both by district stakeholders and Change Agents as being a big challenge since the Project Staff were based at the Lira Regional Office. This made communication or deliberation on issues affecting the project difficult.

3.3 Efficiency of UCAA Approach and Delivery

In the opinion of the evaluators, first and foremost, UCAA asa member-based local organization has a light and flat administrative structure which presents a lower service delivery cost. Secondly, the UCAA methodology for women’s empowerment through community-based local Change Agents that are well versed with the local context of the communities in terms of language, customs and culture means presents an advantage of the Change Agents internalizing the local issues adequately compared to expatriate experience. This allows finding of local solutions to local challenges without infusing the cancerous expectancy syndrome associated with foreign involvement. Furthermore, with good technical support, this is a more sustainable and cost effective approach which builds on existing opportunities rather than on false hopes and illusions. The UCAA agents on the

13

ground were local and travelled using the usual means other than powerful and exorbitant 4x4 vehicles. UCAA did not operate standard area offices but instead travelled from their head quarter and regional offices to provided additional technical supervisory support to community-based district coordinators to ensure quality adherence. In turn, sub county-based coordinators were responsible for lower level follow ups. Many of these were notable parish chiefs who commanded authority and respect. In all, compared to conventional project delivery mechanisms, the UCAA approach was deemed to be far more efficient and sustainable approach which needs to be promoted and expanded.

3.4 Achievement of Project Objectives and Impact Created on Rights Holders

3.4.1 Increased Participation of Women of Northern Uganda in Economic Activities by 2017

Under this result, the following indicators were included in the project design to measure increase in the participation of women in economic activities;

Percentage of women engaging in income generating activities Increased percentage change in the annual income of women

To achieve the above result, several project activities were implemented among which included; conducting sensitization meetings for VSLA groups, training women in VSLA development and management, entrepreneurship skills and good agricultural practices. Other complementary interventions included conducting a Village Change Agent Training (VCAT) courses for selected women groups, following up activities, providing support supervision and enhancing learning and exposure through exchange visits. At baseline, it was established that 95% of the women targeted by the project were already engaged in subsistence agriculture. Of these, 88% were able to derive some income on top of obtaining food. It was also reported that women lacked access to financial facilities and that only 2% were able to obtain loans from commercial banks (Project Annual Report, 2015). It is important to note here that since most of the targeted women were already engaged in some sort of economic activities, it became of interest for UCAA as a matter of strategy to help them diversify and expand production in order to realize increased incomes. A) Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) Methodology

UCAA’s main strategy to increase the participation of women in economic activities and also to realize increased incomes was to promote the adoption of the VSLA methodology targeting 30 women groups. At the time of the evaluation, it was observed that through self replication the number of groups had increased from the targeted 30 to 39 reaching a total of 1,029 women. The VSLA methodology is an effective methodology of generating internal investment capital among the poor since it offers flexible options such as accessing credit and other financial activities that poor rural women often cannot access from banks. On the whole, access to credit and borrowing is very low in Uganda, with only 4% of the adult population accessing credit from formal banking institutions, 4% accessing credit from non-bank formal financial institutions, while 20% accessed credit from informal services especially SACCOs7.

7FinScope Survey (2016)

14

All eight groups visited during the evaluation were found to have operational VSLA8components and had received a range of support from the project. Support provided from the project included training in VSLA methodology, group management, leadership, and record keeping. Groups visited also mentioned that the training was integrated with other topics such as Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and land/ women’s rights. The trainings were mainly conducted by UCAA change agents who using a TOT methodology targeted two members per group. The trained group members would then pass on new skills and knowledge to the other group members. Other training methods used included individual group training and field learning exposure visits.

Additionally, the groups reported having received materials which included VSLA passbooks, stamps, calculators, project T-shirts (uniform for enhanced visibility), cash books, and cash boxes for safe custody of group savings etc.

Group Savings: It was established from the household survey findings, that 97% of women participating in the project through their VSLA groups were saving, while only 3% were not. Weekly savings ranged from shilling 1,000 to 5,000. It was furthered observed from four groups visited that on average 14.5% of the members were unable to save consistently on a weekly basis. Reasons given for failure to save consistently by some members included; incidences of death/burial, sickness, lack of money during crop planting and weeding seasons (March-May), long dry spells, famine and when parents were paying school fees.

From the project data, it was established that shillings 73,177,400 and 73,359,300 were mobilized in savings for the years 2015 and 2016 respectively from 22 women’s groups. Table 2 below shows that annual savings per beneficiary ranged from shillings 5,000 to 3,000,000 with mean savings raging from shilling 244,373 to 264,259 over the three year lifetime of the project. This finding, however, needs further investigation since it suggests that some group members were saving by far over the maximum allowed limit set by the groups a practice that may be detrimental to VSLA principles and good practice.

Table 2: Savings by Project Beneficiaries

Cycle N Minimum Maximum Mean

2015 227 10,000 2,500,000 251,648

2016 252 5,000 2,065,000 244,373

2017 185 10,000 3,000,000 264,259

As is indicated by Table 3 below, overall, groups visited during the evaluation had grown their savings.

Table 3: Growth in Group Savings for Selected Groups (2015-2017)

8 Interest rates are 5% or 10% per month 9 As of September 2017 10 Groups did not receive cash box

# Name of women’s Group visited

# female # Male

sub county

District VSLA portfolio Year VSLA started

2015 20179

1 Oloyo Juu Women’s Group 29 1 Awac Gulu 150,00 898,000 2015

2 Lacede Women’s group 30 0 Awac Gulu 500,000 6,500,000 2015

3 Orib Can Women’s 10group 32 0 Acaba Oyam 150,000 3,400,000 2015

4 Orib Cing Women’s group 30 0 Acaba Oyam 150,000 300,000 2015

5 Apoo icen Women’s group3 30 0 Otwal Oyam 30,000 780,000 2014

15

For future interventions, UCAA may have to consider experimentation of new technologies such as using mobile money for safeguarding member’s savings since about 50% of adults in Uganda use mobile money services although only 34% are formally registered and can access services through a third party account. This would avoid encumbrances and risks associated with keeping cash in money boxes. Improving Domestic Welfare: Along with mobilizing savings, it was observed that weekly amounts of savings of shillings 200 to 500 per group member were collected as welfare funds. Shillings 8,913,500 and 13,548,500 were accumulated as welfare funds in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The welfare fund was used to help members respond to critical domestic needs and emergencies like ill heath, disaster like house burning, death of close relatives etc, Welfare funds in essence helped to buffer members’ savings. Unlike savings, welfare funds and fines were not shared out at the close of the cycle.

The Evaluation established that participation in the VSLA methodology by project beneficiaries was also contributing to improving the welfare of project beneficiaries and their households. It was for example established that 92% of project beneficiaries had at least on one occasion accessed group social/welfare funds to help them address emergencies or respond to domestic problems. Only 8% of the respondents indicated that they had not accessed group welfare funds. Meeting medical bills ranked highest at 63%, followed by meeting household welfare needs (55%), paying school fees for children and funeral expenses (51%). Apparently, some of the respondents reported using the funds for none welfare purposes such as investing/expanding business (8%), investing in farming 2%, and buying produce.

Figure 3: Utilization of Social Welfare Group Funds

Access to Group Loans: Access to working capital is a very important factor of production and subsequently for generating household incomes. It was established that the adoption of the VSLA methodology had helped many project beneficiaries to access working capital. 90% of respondents interviewed indicated that they had borrowed from group savings, while only 10% had not. As illustrated in Figure 4 below, loan sizes received ranged from less than shillings 50,000 to over shillings 500,000, it was observed that the majority of women (30%) had borrowed small amounts of less than shillings 50,000, 27% had borrowed between shillings 50,000 and 100,000, 21% between shillings 100,000 and 150,000 while only 22% borrowed over shillings 200,000.

51%

63%

51%

55%

8%

7%

Funeral expenses

Met medical bills for household member’s

School fees

Met a household welfare need

Expanding my business

Others

16

Figure 4: Size of Loans Obtained

The implication of this finding is that the bulk of the project beneficiaries can only afford to invest on a small scale, which in turn also yields limited returns. This may therefore require a much longer time for households to realize significant increases in their incomes and improvements in their welfare as would be the case if they were able to buy bigger productive assets such as oxen, ploughs, micro milling machines, bodaboda motorcycles, or even land. Using a ‘Graduated approach’ once the saving culture has been adopted, it will be important for UCAA to increase opportunities for the groups by helping to link them to financial services and government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation, NUSUF III, The Youth Fund etc. From the projects’ VSLA data it was established that for the years 2015 and 2016out of shillings 73,177,400 and 73,359,300 respectively mobilized as group savings, a total of shillings 44,154,780 (60%) and 49,576,500 (65%) respectively had been disbursed as loans to group members over the same period. This indicates that a substantial amount of savings (35%-40%) remains not borrowed by members by the end of the cycle that may indicate high levels of being business risk averse. It was also further noted that loan recovery rates were still very low at 33% in 2015 and 36% in 2016 indicating that most groups were struggling to recover loans from their members an occurrence that puts group savings at risk. During the evaluation it was established that members are allowed to borrow from the VSLA pool on a monthly basis and pay a mandatory interest between 5-10% per month. Loans given out to member would usually not exceed more than double the amount saved by the borrower. Some groups had introduced a monthly fine of shillings 500 for not paying principle when due. The maximum loan period was set at three months. According to FGD, warnings would be issued beyond this period and failure to heed the warning the defaulter’s pledged assets would be sold off to recover the outstanding debts; however, the member would not lose her membership. It was however observed as is indicated in Figure 5 below that 71% of borrowers had borrowed to meet household needs, this does not differ much from what was reported at baseline (72%). Investment in consumptive rather productive activities contravenes the VSLA principles and needs to be addressed in future interventions. At baseline, it was noted that 89% of the loans were dedicated to paying school fees which by implication left only 11% for investment. It is important to note that after project interventions, most school fees were being sourced from welfare funds. The Evaluation Team established that there was improvement in the percentage of women devoting resources to productive activities. Up to 41% of the respondents indicated that they had used their loans to start a new income generating project, 35% expanded an existing enterprise, 32% invested in crop and animal production, 9% bought productive assets, while 4% invested in other activities such as renting land, buying animals and procuring seeds.

30%27%

21%

9%4%

8%

1%

> 50,000 > 50,000 to>100,000

> 100,000 to <150,000

>150,000 to<200,000

>200,000 to<250,000

250,000 to<500,000

500,000+

17

Figure 5: Utilization of Loans by Beneficiaries

Engagement in New Enterprises: For the respondents that indicated that they had started a new enterprise, Figure 6 below shows that the most common types of enterprises started included retail shops/market stalls and vender/hawkers 39%, farming (37%), brewing local beer (33%), produce buying (28%), vegetable selling (23%), fish mongering (14%),bakery (12%) and restaurant (5%). Others (3%) included hair dressing and selling petrol. This finding implies that apart from helping beneficiaries to increase/improve farm production, the project had also helped beneficiaries to diversify their investments into other areas that were hitherto known to be in the domains of men.

Figure 6: Types of new Business Started

This has also promoted the inclusion of women in economic activities and facilitating transformation from subsistence farming to market oriented farming, which could form a good basis for introduction /scaling up of programming concepts such as farming as a business and value addition using a graduated approach. Increase in Annual Incomes: It was established from the household survey that 95% of the interviewed beneficiaries had registered a significant improvement in incomes since they joined the project in 2015, while only 5% had not yet witnessed increases in their incomes. The total increment represents 42% over the first two years of project implementation. 75% of the project beneficiaries remained optimistic that their incomes would also increase in 2017. This optimism was attributed for reasons such as having invested in production, started new enterprises, and existence of good markets among others, It was established that increases in annual incomes for women ranged from as little as shilling 10,000 to as high as 4,000,000 with a mean increase of shilling 218,891 in 2015 and shilling 309,508 in 2016.

Started a new Income generating business

Expanded an ongoing business

Invested in crop /animal husbandry

Bought productive assets like land, oxen

Met a household welfare need

Others

41%

35%

32%

9%

71%

4%

39%

37%

33%

28%

23%

14%

12%

5%

3%

Retail Shop/Market stall/Vendor

Farming project

Local brewing business

Produce buying and selling

Vegetable selling

Fish monger

Bakery business

Local Hotel or Restaurant

Others

18

According to the Uganda National Household Survey (2016/2017), the average household monthly income for the Lango and Acholi regions was shillings 370,000 and 168,000 respectively, while the monthly household expenditure for Northern Uganda was shillings 236,600. This typically means women own between 7-10% of household income. Respondents who indicated that they did not realize significant increase in their annual incomes gave reasons for failure to do so which included: diversion of business capital to pay school fess, frequent illness/high medical bills as well as prolonged dry season among others. B) Enterprise Development and Agricultural Skills Training: Development of human capital especially the provision of requisite entrepreneur and agricultural skills is strategic in helping rural women to improve their productivity, broaden their scope of engagement in a range of economic activities and subsequently improve their income. Apart from training women in VSLA development and management skills, it was observed that the project also conducted training in enterprise development skills, good agricultural practices and Village Change Agent Training for selected groups11. This was complemented by conducting follow up visits, support supervision and exposure tours. Training in crop production included promotion of good practices in planting, weeding, harvesting and storage, while training in animal production included rearing and diseases control for domestic animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry. Training in enterprise development covered topics such as Basics of Business Management (business selection, marketing, etc), Project Feasibility (costing, preparing cash flows, starting and organizing businesses) and, Financial Management (book keeping, making profit and loss statements and loan management). VCAT training on the other hand covered topics such as development theory, poverty analysis, gender etc). Training was conducted by Change Agents, UCAA staff and consultant facilitators. Ninety three percent of the respondents acknowledged to have received support from the project. Of these, 97% reported that they had received training in business development (Catowil), 68% training in animal husbandry, 51% in good agronomic practices, and 22% in enterprise development as shown in Figure 7 below. This was a big improvement given that at baseline only 19%12 had attended training in good agronomic practices and enterprise skills.

Figure 7: Support Received from UCAA

11 Not all groups had benefited from VCAT 12 17% In Awach and 22% in Acaba

19

As is indicated in Figure 8 below, project beneficiaries who had attended training in good agronomical practices reported that they were already realizing a number of benefits accruing from the training. These benefits included adoption of better agronomic and animal husbandry practices (88%), increased productivity (74%), reduction in pre and post harvest losses (55%), access to better markets/produce prices(48%), better quality products (45%) and increased acreage (16%).

Figure 8: Benefits Accruing from Training in Good Agronomic Practices

It was also established that the business development, training had impacted positively on the livelihoods of beneficiaries. For example,91% of the respondents indicated that they had realized increased savings, (83%) increased incomes, (70%) started new income generating projects, (53%), accessed credit/loan/grant facilities, (43%) expanded their businesses and (16%) diversified their business as illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Benefits Accruing from Training in Enterprise Development

It was further observed that the majority of project beneficiaries were also receiving a range of support from other actors. This was found to be positive since apart from complementing project interventions, it expanded the scope of financial services available to the project beneficiaries. Figure 10 below, shows that 81% of the respondents were receiving support from other development actors in addition to that received from UCAA and that only 19% did not extra support.

3%

16%

45%

48%

55%

74%

88%

Food storage

Increased acreage under farming

Better quality products

Access better markets/prices

Reduction in pre and post-harvest loses

Increased productivity

Adoption of better farming/animal rearing…

16%

43%

53%

70%

85%

91%

Diversified my business

Expanded my business

Accessed to credit/loan/grant facilities

Have started a new income generating…

Increased income

Increased savings

20

Beatrice Ojera in her retail shop on the right, and in front of her newly constructed house (left)with her children.

Figure 10: Access to Support Provided by other Development Actors

Support from other actors included training (98%), Business Start up kits(32%), Business Start Up Capital(17%), while 8% received market support and seeds. The most common development actors cited by respondents for providing additional support included BRAC (39%), World Vision (23%), ALEIN (21%), SINFA (11%) and African Women Rising (11%) among others. Respondents also reported accessing services from specialized financial service providers such as FINCA (6%) and government supported programmes like NUSAF II (6%) This finding is important not only for understanding attribution to the project vis-a-vis other actors, but also highlights the actors with whom UCAA should build stronger partnerships for future interventions and for ensuring sustainability of project outcomes. Building partnerships with likeminded actors also facilitates coordination, avoids duplications of services, enhances synergies between different actors and also helps to harmonize approaches.

3.4.2 Increased Access to Productive Resources by Women in Northern Uganda by 2017

Only one indicator was included in the project design to measure increased to access of productive resources by women.

Number of women accessing production resources such as Land, Own IGAs etc

21

To achieve this result, the project implemented a range of activities that included training women in advocacy skills, conducting sensitization for community members on gender and culture, sensitizing clan and traditional leaders on women rights and sensitizing women on land rights. Complementary interventions included conducting follow up visits after the advocacy trainings. Access to Land: Access to land is a very critical factor of production especially in rural agrarian economies where most of the population is still dependant on subsistence production. As illustrated in Figure 1, it was established that 89% of the respondents had access to land where they were able to engage in farming and other economic activities. Only 11% indicated that they were not able to access land. Of the respondents who had access to land, 60% indicated that they had ownership of the land, while 40% did not13.

Figure 11: Access and Ownership to Land

Regarding tenure of land, In Figure 12, the evaluation established that 42% of the respondents had access to family land, 38% communal land, while only 16% personally owned the land on which they farmed. Only 4% indicated that they had borrowed land. When asked if land that they accessed had increased since they started associating with the project, 57% indicated that they had increased the size of land under their possession while 43% mentioned that land under their occupation had not increased. 38% of the respondents indicated that they had obtained less than 3 acres, 39% between 3and 5 acres, 15% between 5 and 7 acres, 7% between 7and 10 acres, while only 1% had obtained additional more than 10 acres.

Figure 12: Types of Land Ownership and Size of additional land

Regarding the mode of acquisition of additional land, it was established as is indicated in Figure 13 below, that 34%% obtained the land they were using on the basis of claiming entitlement to family and clan land, 45% had

13 Claim of ownership was based on perceptions of the beneficiaries interviewed. Possession of title as evidence

of ownership was not feasible given the nature of land tenure in Northern Uganda

0 % 4 %

16 %

38 %

42 %

Inherited

Borrowed land

Personalland/Free holdCustomary/Communal land

38% 39%

15%

7%1%

<3 acres 3-5 acres 5-7 acres 7-10 acres >10 acres

22

either bought or were given. 16% indicated that they had claimed and obtained inheritance rights to land, while 5% had borrowed the land.

Figure 13: Modes of Acquisition of land

Apart from new emerging factors that are creating pressure on land in Northern Uganda, it appears that access to land for farming by women may not be the major problem. Culturally, women’s user rights to land are ascribed to them on the basis of birth or marriage. It was however observed that these rights could easily be abused in the event of domestic violence, no child birth, divorce, death of husband etc. On the whole women still have little decision making power over land as is illustrated by the quotation below:

Cultural beliefs and practices vary depending on whether a woman is born or married in the family. In the later case women even when educated are expected to be subdued and play the role of a housewife. This environment remains restricted especially in regard to engaging in economic activities and owning land. On the other hand women are encouraged by their kin to own land and engage in business etc (Sub County Chief-Awach)

It was also revealed by key informants that it was becoming easier for women to own land than ever before and this was partly attributed to initiatives by actors like UCAA as is illustrated in the quotation below;

“A lot has since changed and it is now much easier to sell land which was not common in the past. This has played to the advantage of women since it is also easier for them to buy land. Knowing the rights of women by the women themselves by cultural leaders and the community at large is slowly shaping cultural attitudes and practices that hitherto made it very difficult for women to own land. For example, increasingly many women and girls are beginning to benefit from family estates when parents die”. UCAA has been one of the actors that have brought about this change.(Gulu Women’s MP)

Although the finding indicated a good percentage of women accessing and owning land, the respondents pointed out a number of factors that impede the acquisition and access to land by women. As indicated in Figure 14 below, theses impediments include: lack of money to purchase land (49%), cultural beliefs and practices (45%), poverty (15%), gender inequality (12%) and SGBV (5%). Other factors included high costs of schools fees, land grabbing from In-laws, high number of dependants and limited capacity to till the land.

5 %16 %

34 %

45 %

Borrowed/Hired

Claimed inheritancerights

Claimed entitlementfrom family or clancustomary land

23

Figure 14: Factors that Impede Acquisition of Land by Women

When asked what type of additional support was needed by project beneficiaries to help them access more land in Figure 15, 57% mentioned financial support in the form of loans, training and other business activities (19%), and more community sensitization (12%)

Figure 15: Additional Support Needed by Women to acquire land

Ownership of Animals: Some beneficiaries used loans to purchase animals. , Figure 16below shows that majority bought goats (59%), 57% birds, 32% cows, 24% pigs, and 3% bought sheep. In Uganda rural settings, owning animals is not only deemed /viewed as possession of economic assets, but can be used as insurance for food security and emergencies. The Projects’ 2016 Annual Report indicated that the number of women with own IGAs was 921 showing a big increase.

Figure 16: Animals bought from Loans Obtained by Beneficiaries

This is collaborated by data collected by UCAA from project reports which revealed that -women have acquired a total number of 185 cows, 514 goats, and 138 pigs The personal ownership of animals

45%

15%

49%

12%

5%

7%

5%

22%

Cultural Belief and practices

Poverty

Limited income to purchase land

Gender Inequality

Domestic and gender based violence

Illeteracy and Ignorance about land rights

Land conflicts/dispute

Others

Training on IGA and other

business activities

19 %

Financial support

inform of a loan57 %

Senstize community about land ownership

12 %

Others12 %

0%

3%

24%

32%

57%

59%

Donkey

Sheep

Pigs

Cows

Birds (Ducks, Hens, Turkey etc.)

Goats

24

especially cattle for women isa good indicator of positive cultural transformation and may point to the fact that the projects’ Gender & Culture interventions have also yielded anticipated results. Ownership of Other Productive Assets: In Figure 17, when respondents were asked whether they had obtained productive assess in the course of participating in the project, 75% mentioned that they were able to procure farm tools like hoes and pangas (machetes) , 30% mentioned bicycles, 11% oxen, 10% ploughs, 7% boda-boda motorcycles, 3% wheel barrows and 0.4% had grinding mills. Overall, it is the opinion of the Evaluation Team that to a great extent, the project was able to realize anticipated outcomes. Any future interventions should however focus on increasing the magnitude and scope of outcomes in order to register more impact of the lives of beneficiaries and their households.

Figure 17 Productive Assets Obtained

3.5 Impact of the Project on Rights Holders Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and success stories with the Evaluation Team revealed that a number of significant changes in the lives of the project beneficiaries are already visible. The quotation here below by the Gulu Women Member of Parliament who also happens to be a UCAA Change Agent describes changes in the lives of women beneficiaries.

“The project has helped a lot to change the lives of women especially through the

different trainings and saving through VSLA groups. This has supported women to know

their rights and grow their decision making capacities. Here in Gulu, we have a very

strong patriarchal culture and if women are not properly empowered, they loose even

what they produce. Women were also supposed to unquestionably be submissive to men.

Such an environment was not good for investment since often initiatives by women would

be interrupted or even sabotaged by their spouses.

This situation has however since gradually began to change especially among women

benefiting from the project. We are now seeing women start small business, own

separate gardens, buy property, productive assets and land, build iron roofed houses,

send their children to school and also compete for leadership and administrative offices.

Protection for women land rights has also improved, with more women enjoying their

10%

11%

0.4%

7%

30%

3%

6%

75%

Plough

Oxen

Grinding mill

Boda Boda

Bicycle

Wheelbarrow

Spray pump

Farm equipment( Hoes, pangas)

25

rights to property in case of death of parents, spouses or separation”. (Woman Gulu Member

of Parliament)

Success Story I: Sarah the fish monger Sarah lives in Amukungungu Parish, Otwal Sub-County in Oyam district with six children, three boys and three girls. She was trained by UCAA in entrepreneurship and village savings and credit. From these trainings, she was inspired to start up a business. Sarah said that before, she used to fear businesses, because she thought that it needs a lot of money and also used to fear borrowing from individuals. Since then, she says her capital has accumulated from the initial shs50,000= to about shs500,000=. Sarah operates a small grocery and also sellssilver fish. Sarah says she has noticed progress because she started with a small basin which cost around shs10, 000=, later to a big basin, and has now been able to purchase a full sack for retail sale that she buys at around shs150,000, which is able to generate an income of about shs250,000.

Sarah has a daughter in a Technical College and two boys are still in primary level. Sarah says had difficulties paying school fees for her children, but with the knowledge of entrepreneurship; she has gained from UCAA trainings, she is in better position to get school fees for her children

Success Story II Molly Apio of Dogapio Parish AcabaSub-

County, Oyam District). Molly is 36 years old

with 3 children. Molly appreciates being a

member of the group and the capacity

building provided by UCAA. She deals in

selling second hand clothes. Being part of

the group, she has learnt to save and

shecollects about 900,000/= (Nine hundred

thousand shillings) at the end of the cycle.

She is using her shares and profit for construction and has also managed to pay school fees for

her children. She has children in senior four, senior one and primary seven.

Success Story III

‘I have met my dream, I never knew I

would educate my children, construct a

permanent house and become a landlord’

Beatrice Ojara (48) of Oribcan Women’s

Group, Abala Village ,Dogapio Parish

Acaba Sub-County ,Oyam District.

Sarah Okwir Agwewo selling silver fish to a customer from her home

Molly Apio at her newly constructed house. She is now heading

to the market to sell clothes

26

Beatrice has seven children, 2 girls and 5 boys. She said that: By the time I joined the group I

could not afford fees anymore and life was so hard that I used to go and dig for money from

people’s gardens, but that alone could not

make a difference in my home.

There was insufficient food and low

standard of living in the home. But today

I am very happy woman with other group

members. From the UCAA trainings that

I have undergone, I learnt a lot of things

and I now operates a retail shop which I

began after borrowing from the group.

From profits and savings I made, I first made bricks for money, then later made bricks for

myself and built a house. I now use one part of the house and decided to rent out the other part

for schools fees”. I learnt about enterprise selection and using resources available. I borrowed

200,000/= (Two hundred thousand shillings) and bought the following items sodas, cooking oil,

soap, biscuit, sugar, salt, and others and opened up a retail shop.

At the end of last year cycle, I received from my share-out of shs400,000/= as my savings, I

added some items in the business and also bought some agricultural seeds including soya bean

and sun flower and also bought some goats. ‘All these have helped me to manage paying school

fees for my children’” Happy Beatrice concluded.. Photograph: Beatrice Ojera in her retail

shop on the right, and the view on the left, she is, in front of her newly constructed house with

her children.

Santa Akol (Oribcan women’s group Abala Village,

Dogapio Parish Acaba Sub-County, Oyam District).

Santa is 45 years old; she is a widow with five

children. She borrowed 600,000/= (Six hundred

thousand shillings) from the group and grew rice.

She harvested and sold it, she saved the profit

and added some other money from casual laboring

that she used for construction. She is also

engaged in selling pan cakes, and produce from

agriculture on top of rice.

Regarding building capacity for women to engage in leadership, it was noted that the project had indirectly supported women including those who were Change Agents to rise to positions of leadership especially through Change Agent training. Otwal Sub LC III Chair Person is female, while three out of the five Sub-County executive members are also female. Several women also serve as Councilors at Sub-County and District level. The project also registered some unintended results. These included:

Formation of new VSLA groups (9) which resulted from replication of targeted groups. More women were therefore reached by the project.

Beatrice at her newly constructed house after closing as she went to the market to sell clothes

Santa as her house under construction house as

she prepares for roofing

27

The project also supported the VSLA groups to form four Sub County Associations in the targeted Sub-Counties. These associations were already taking on roles such as training, advocacy and engaging with districts for technical support.

Regarding promotion of Adult Literacy and education for children, one women groups, “Lacede Womens Group in Awac Gulu District provides 50% bursary support to 97 orphans and other vulnerable children to complete primary and - secondary school. Another group called Mat Itam Pit Women’s Group, after attending trainings in Advocacy started their own Functional Adult Literacy School to benefit 20 women since they felt that literacy was important for effective advocacy. This was done during quarter four of 2016. At the moment, 20 out of 30 women can now write and read their own names.

The negative occurrence that was linked to the project was the incidence of sexual and gender based violence resulting from resentment by the male spouses of changing economic status of women and the resultant power shift. The project staff with support from Change Agents and Parish Chiefs swiftly responded to solve this issue through home visits and counseling.

3.6 Sustainability The project in its design incorporated a number of sustainability strategies to ensure local ownership of the project and continuity of project results and approaches. These included; building capacity of a range of community resource persons and strengthening of community structures especially VSLA groups and Sub County Associations. The targeting and equipping of local resource persons that include VCAT trainees, Change Agents, Trainers of Trainers (TOT) imply that newly acquired knowledge and skills can be retained and used to continuously by beneficiary communities. The choice to use methodologies such as the VSLA approach helped reduce dependency since there was limited external financial investment, while on the other hand the approached encouraged reliance on local resources mobilized by the project beneficiaries themselves. This implies that mobilization of savings and access to financial capital through group loans has a high potential to continue even after the project has phased out. It was also observed that the VSLA approach is a poor-people friendly approach, self driven and already the emergence of new groups is an indicator that the method is highly replicable. Working closely with Sub County, Parish and Local Council authorities and collaborating with likeminded actors will also ensure continuity of project outcomes. As earlier indicated in the report many of the project beneficiaries were in one way or another already benefitting from other actors and therefore will continue receiving support for a while. There is however need for UCAA to formally strengthen partnerships with other likeminded actors and providers of specialized financial services in order to establish synergies and linkages and to increase the scope of services available to project beneficiaries.

28

4.0 Recommendations

General Recommendations

FCA and UCAA should consider a one year extension of the project if possible to allow completion of activities especially under Result II, consolidation of results and plan for a better phase out of the project.

For future programming, despite having community based Change Agent structures, it is important for UCAA to establish District Field Offices to enhance visibility and facilitate coordination with project beneficiaries and District stakeholders. Coordination especially with like-minded actors will create synergies for the project and also expand the scope of services available to UCAA clients.

There is need to provide a budget for motivating Change Agents especially where they are engaged in supporting project activities. The concept of voluntarism should be reviewed, where Change Agents are given responsibility in project implementation, they should be remunerated commensurately. Through this approach, they can be held accountable. In the event that this suggestion is not practical, then UCAA should recruit at least oneProject Officer per district to support the Regional Offices.

Future project designs should consider use of more elaborate outcome indicators to allow fora more comprehensive measurement of change created by the project in the lives of project beneficiaries. UCAA should also continuously track the whole range on VSLA indicators including recovery rates to determine the performance and ‘health’ of the VSLA scheme.

Programme Specific Recommendations

For future interventions UCAA should consider integrating or scaling up SGBV, SRH and HIV/AIDS in its programming to deal with issues of domestic violence that is resulting from the changing economic status of women as a result of participating in the project.

Related to the above, apart from promoting awareness of women’s rights especially these related to land and property, men should be specifically targeted and engaged since they are often resistant to change and are known to be perpetuators of violence against women.

UCAA interventions should aim at elevating the economic status and welfare of entire household as this is likely to sustain family unity and to propel the project gains.

In collaboration with other actors that are promoting VSLA and relevant financial institutions, UCAA should explore the use of innovative technology to improve service delivery. For example mobile money technology could be used to replace cash boxes and the risks that come with them. Similarly the use electronic media such as structured radio programs and SMS could be exploited to reach project beneficiaries and the target communities. Radio Listener Clubs can also be promoted

Project beneficiaries should be assisted to maximize incomes at the different levels of the value chain(s) through markets research and value addition.

29

The used of the TOT approach to training should be streamlined and strengthened. Trainings should be brought as close as possible to the groups. Engagements of locally available community resource persons such as retired extension workers, unemployed youth professionals etc, should be maximized. In addition, training manuals and materials should be revised, simplified/abridged and translated usable by clients with low literacy levels14.

Carry out sensitization at all levels to challenge cultures, religious beliefs and practices that hinder women from enjoyment of their human rights. For example UCAA could engage the Acholi and Langi cultural institutions and Churches to secure ‘buy in’ into this intervention. .

5.0 Conclusion Overall, it can be concluded that the project was successfully implemented and that the anticipated objectives were met especially for Result I. However, a number of planned outputs under Result II were either under achieved or were yet to be completed. UCAA in effect addressed four of the five livelihood asset categories, these being; Human capital, (which covered business skills transfer), Natural capital (access to land and common property resources), Financial capital (low incomes and access to credit), and Social capital (social attitudes, member welfare, discrimination against women and strengthen family links). This supports the fact that the project design was to a large extent embodied in UCAA rural development methodology that prioritizes addressing pre-conditions that perpetuate poverty.

It has been noted that although borrowings were small, typically shs 50,000–200,000, significant outcome results were realized by the poor rural women who utilized the loans largely for vital activities such as investing in productive assets including land and starting or expanding their businesses. Consequently, increased incomes were translating into improved welfare for the project beneficiaries and their households. Indirectly, the project was also supporting the elevation of women into leadership positions, an indicator that decision making at different levels will also be able to address issues affecting women. The project however will require a one year extension to allow for completion of pending activities especially under Result II, consolidation of results and planning for a better phase out of the project.

1475% of the project beneficiates had not completed primary schools

30

Appendices

Annex I: Sampling Model

1 Krejcie and Morgan (1970) Sample Size Estimation Table N* S† N S N S N S N S

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

10

14

19

24

28

32

36

40

44

48

52

56

59

63

66

70

73

76

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

210

220

230

240

250

260

270

80

86

92

97

103

108

113

118

123

127

132

136

140

144

148

152

155

159

280

290

300

320

340

360

380

400

420

440

460

480

500

550

600

650

700

750

162

165

169

175

181

186

191

196

201

205

210

214

217

226

234

242

248

254

800

850

900

950

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2200

2400

2600

260

265

269

274

278

285

291

297

302

306

310

313

317

320

322

327

331

335

2800

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

15000

20000

30000

40000

50000

75000

1000000

338

341

346

351

354

357

361

364

367

368

370

375

377

379

380

381

382

384

31

Annex II: Terms of Reference for End of Project Evaluation

TOR FOR WOMEN BANK PROJECT EVALUATION IN GULU AND OYAM.docx

Annex III: Project Documents Reviewed

1. FCA Quarterly Monitoring Report (April –June 2017)

2. FCA QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT (January – March 2017)

3. FCA Strategic Plan

4. FORMAT 2. FCA Annual Monitoring Report (Jan-Dec 2016 Jan-Dec 2016) 5. FORMAT 2. FCA Annual Monitoring Report (1st Jan to 31st Dec 2015)

6. UCAA Organisational strategy (2014-2016)

7. UCAA Agricultural Manual

8. Manual for Training In Gender And Culture March 2017

9. End of Project Evaluation for the Livelihoods Project in Gulu and Oyam districts (2014)

Annex IV: List of Respondents

Key Informants and Focus Group Discussion.docx

Annex V: Data Collection Tools

FCA UCAA Household Tool 16102017.docx

UCAA KII andFGD tools.docx

Annex VI: Data Sets

UCAA VSLA Data 04112017.xlsx