Kasese District is emerging as a national leader in disaster preparedness, thanks to strengthened collaboration, empowered institutions, and a growing focus on prevention rather than reaction.
This progress was evident during a two-day Disaster Management Capacity Enhancement Meeting facilitated by Save the Children International on 11th and 12th January at Rwenzori International Hotel. The meeting brought together a wide range of actors district leaders, members of the District Disaster Management Committee, NGOs, CSOs, security agencies, cultural leaders, and local leaders all united by one goal: protecting communities, especially children, from the devastating effects of disasters.
The meeting forms part of Save the Children International’s ongoing Disaster Management Project in Kasese District, implemented in the subcounties of Karusandara, Kyarumba, Nyamwamba, and Maliba. Running from 15th September 2025 to 31st December 2027 and funded by Save the Children Italy, the project is reaching deep into communities to build long-term resilience.
The initiative is directly benefiting 15,000 children aged 6–18, 20 primary schools, 25,000 women, and 20,000 men across the four subcounties. One of its most transformative interventions is the establishment of 20 child-led Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and disaster preparedness clubs in primary schools—empowering children to understand risks, promote early warning messages, and become champions of safety in their schools and homes.
By placing children at the centre of disaster preparedness, the project is not only protecting young lives but also nurturing a generation that understands risk, preparedness, and resilience.
Beyond schools, the project is strengthening district and community systems for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Emergency Preparedness (EP), Anticipatory Action (AA), and Early Warning Systems (EWS). The focus is on building inclusive, coordinated, and well-prepared institutions that can anticipate disasters and act early—before lives and livelihoods are lost.
The expected impact is a more resilient and responsive Kasese District, where disasters are managed proactively and communities recover faster.
Kasese Recognized as a National Example
Addressing participants, Mr. Solomon Illangat from the Office of the Prime Minister praised Kasese’s leadership, describing the district as “the limelight of disaster preparedness in the country.” He credited strong coordination and commitment among stakeholders for the district’s progress.
He reminded participants that Uganda’s Disaster Management Policy assigns clear roles to different actors and stressed that no single institution can manage disasters alone. He urged stakeholders to work together to strengthen risk detection, monitoring, and management, and to view disaster management as a continuous cycle—starting with preparedness, not ending with response.
The meeting also created space for honest dialogue around financing disaster preparedness.
Mr. Kikusa Mustafah, Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Committee, highlighted ongoing funding constraints and called on the Office of the Prime Minister to consider a conditional grant for disaster management.
Echoing this call, Hon. Monday Girivazio, the District Vice Chairperson, reaffirmed political commitment, urging the district budget desk to implement the resolution to allocate 1% of the district budget to disaster management. He emphasized that political leaders remain fully committed to ensuring preparedness is adequately funded.
Stakeholders across sectors applauded Save the Children International and its donor, Save the Children Italy, for investing in systems that protect children and communities. Participants noted that the capacity-building meeting strengthened coordination, clarified roles, and renewed collective responsibility for disaster preparedness in Kasese.
As climate-related hazards continue to threaten lives and livelihoods, Kasese District is proving that preparedness saves lives. Through strong partnerships, empowered children, and improved systems, the district is building a safer, more resilient future—one where communities are ready before disaster strikes, not after.
The end.
