The Landscape

Along the steep mountainsides of Southwest Uganda, DIG is working with a number of non-traditional farmer groups.

While the area is blessed with two rainy seasons per year, accessing water is a major obstacle. Collecting groundwater often involves traveling long distances. Extreme deforestation has left topsoil bare and, during heavy rains, hillsides are prone to landslides.

The communities DIG serves here are uniquely marginalized. While we primarily teach restorative agriculture to improve nutrition and enable livelihoods, our advocacy also fosters productive relationships between these farmer groups and the government, the broader community, and other resources providers in the region. The non-threatening nature of our program allows us to build trust while having a positive systemic influence.

DIG’s Commitment

In 2016, a generous grant from Together Women Rise (formerly Dining For Women) enabled DIG to expand our work to include the mountains of Southwest Uganda. What started as a pilot project has grown to have regional of impact.

Here, along the edges of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, DIG has adapted our approach to serve two distinctly marginalized groups:

The Batwa, a tribe of conservation refugees – Exiled from their indigenous home in the early 1990s, with no tradition of agriculture, the Batwa had struggled to secure livelihoods and food security outside the forest. They have a life expectancy reported as low as 28 years old and are often the victims of physical and sexual violence.

People Living with Physical Disabilities – Due to the rugged terrain, poor transportation, community neglect and stigma, the barriers for people living with physical disabilities to have healthy, productive lives are exponentially increased.

DIG has been working diligently to build trusting relationships with these unique communities, and we’ve adapted our programs to best meet their specific needs.

We are committed to growing our impact in this region for years to come and invite potential partners to contact us with interest.

Perspective

“I’ve gained so many friends from supplying these vegetables, as well as an income. I feel pleased. People have come here and found good things in me and it makes me feel proud.”

~ Parfura, group leader for Nyakabungo Group

Current Programs

Forest Conservation & Food Security for the Batwa

People Living with Physical Disabilities & Community Allies

DIG's Uganda Team

Gloria

Uganda Country Director

Gloria is the Country Director for the Uganda DIG program. After graduating with a diploma in business from the Uganda College of Commerce in December 2017, she joined the DIG team as a facilitator the next month. Using lessons her mother taught her from childhood, Gloria’s skill and knowledge of organic agriculture made her a great teacher. Her ability to engage communities personally, commitment to high quality work, and strong leadership at staff meetings made her a standout choice for coordinator. She has seen 20 groups through farmer field sc hools and she is motivated to continue expanding the reach of the program to more communities.

Clare

Project Officer

Clare is the Project Officer for the DIG Program in Uganda. She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelors degree in public administration and management from Uganda Christian University (UCU). Clare holds extensive experience in both political representation and advocacy as well as community outreach under different governmental and non-governmental projects. Currently, she still serves as the female youth representative for her district. Clare joined DIG in 2022 to support DIG's growth by providing leadership in administration and implementation.

Jane

Lead Facilitator

Jane is the Lead Facilitator, directly supporting the facilitators with technical mentorship and coordination leadership. Jane received government training in organic agriculture in 2009. She comes from one of the communities DIG serves and maintains an impressive home garden. Jane uses her network and good will within the community to serve both the Batwa groups and people living with disabilities there.

Amos

Indigenous Food Field School Facilitator

After graduating with a certificate in agriculture, Amos joined DIG in 2018 and focuses his work with the Batwa, learning about the unique challenges they face and working at an individual and group level to support them in their progress.

Pacras

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Formerly a teacher within the community, Pacras joined DIG in 2018. While working with several groups he is especially involved with our programs serving people living with physical disabilities. He uses his talents as an educator to support community trainings and adminstrative work.

Pafura

Indigenous Food Field School Facilitator

Pafura graduated from DIG's Farmer Field School in 2019. From the Batwa community of Nyakabungo, Pafura held the leadership role in his group and quickly became an advocate of gardening. In addition, Pafura represents the Batwa community through advocacy and human rights work with the United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU). Pafura joined DIG as a Facilitator in 2022, leading our Indigenous Foods Preservation Project.

Roy

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Roy grew up farming in her village and has shown a passion for it from a young age. In 2000, she joined Compassion International as a store manager, where she worked for six years. She served seven years on her community's local council committee and in 2019, Roy joined DIG as a local facilitator serving PLWHA.

Apollo

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Graduating with a diploma in Agriculture, Apollo began farming on his own as an entrepreneur, growing fruits and vegetables at his home. While building his business, he was also teaching at the schools where he studied from. In 2022, Apollo joined DIG, wanting to apply his educational background and teaching experience in a formal setting. Apollo is now a Farmer Field School Facilitator for DIG's groups in Rubanda District.

Andrew

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer

A farmer since age 12, Andrew joined DIG in 2019. He comes from a community DIG serves and recently studied Crop Production and Management at the University level. He has used DIG to advance his own learnings and strengthen the DIG training experience for people living with disabilities. He also managesDIGs data system and has received an internationally recognized certificate in Permaculture Design.

Sostine

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Sostine joined DIG in early 2023, with a passion to continue his outreach and work to mitigate soil erosion and landslides in the region through sustainable agriculture. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Land Use Planning and Management from Kabale University, Sostine has been a longtime advocate for sustainable land use and management practices to improve the Kigezi regions’ climate resilience through hosting radio talk shows targeting farmers and working with local communities.

News from the Field: Uganda

Income Generation

It’s All About the Grandchildren

November 18, 2022

Serina's joy is hosting people in her home. Her DIG garden has enabled her to not only offer her guests beautiful meals when they visit, but she's also become an important resource for fresh diverse produce in her community.

Climate Resilience

DIG’s Farmer Field School

October 26, 2022

DIG's foundational program prioritizes uniquely marginalized people. They learn to grow nutrient-rich gardens using regenerative agriculture as a way of improving theirs and their family's nutrition, food security, and income.

Climate Resilience

Celebrating the Batwa’s Indigenous Foodways

November 2, 2021

DIG's journey with the Batwa is only beginning. We have so much still to learn from this remarkable community. Together, we are embarking on a discovery project to identify and cultivate the Batwa's indigenous forest fruits and vegetables in their gardens.

Income Generation

The MBA Aggies Sponsorship Garden

September 27, 2021

The Landscape

DIG’s Commitment

Perspective

Current Programs

Forest Conservation & Food Security for the Batwa

People Living with Physical Disabilities & Community Allies

DIG's Uganda Team

Gloria

Uganda Country Director

Clare

Project Officer

Jane

Lead Facilitator

Amos

Indigenous Food Field School Facilitator

Pacras

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Pafura

Indigenous Food Field School Facilitator

Roy

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Apollo

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Andrew

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer

Sostine

Farmer Field School Facilitator

News from the Field: Uganda

It’s All About the Grandchildren

DIG’s Farmer Field School

Celebrating the Batwa’s Indigenous Foodways

The MBA Aggies Sponsorship Garden

Program Partners

Help Plant Seeds That Reap Life