INCLUDE Project Engages Rubanda District Stakeholders on Key Project Interventions

Story by Kobugabe Joanita, Communication Officer – Rubanda District

Rubanda District officials have held a one-day stakeholder engagement with officers from the Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholder Farmers (INCLUDE) Project to discuss the project's key interventions and progress in the district.

Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), the five-year (2024–2029) INCLUDE project aims to sustainably improve the living incomes and climate resilience of 75,000 smallholder farmers across the Rwenzori, Greater Ankole, Kigezi, and Busoga sub-regions. Implemented across 10 targeted districts, the project applies a crop-livestock integrated farming systems approach to boost livestock-based livelihoods, expand access to nutritious food, and foster resilience to climate and market shocks. By promoting sustainable integrated farming and bringing 37,500 acres of land under improved management, the project elevates household incomes.

The engagement, held at the Rubanda Town Council Hall on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, brought together Community Development Officers (CDOs), Town Agents, Town Clerks, Mayors, and formulated more 12 newly formed Participatory Integrated Planning groups from the town councils of Bubaare, Hamuhambo, Kacerere, and Rubanda on top of the already existing 9 groups.

Franklin tumuhairwe from Albertine for interventions development(AID) said that the new wave for the project will also involve Establishment of Agricultural Hubs in Each Local Government (LLG) to provide agricultural services to farmers.
Mr.franklin added on to say that the project will provide Access to Finance whereby Pearl Capital Partners (PCPs) on behalf of SNV, will partner with five SACCOs to improve farmers' access to agricultural loans, Muchahi SACCO, Lyamujungu SACCO, Rukiga SACCO, Hakashenyi SACCO,Kihanga-Mparo SACCO and Each SACCO will receive UGX 1 billion from Pearl Capital Partners to support farmer lending.

Speaking during the meeting, the Rubanda District INCLUDE Project Coordinator, Ms. Bridget Mpaire, said the project has established nine Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) communities across Bubaare, Rubanda, Hamuhambo, and Kacerere Town Councils.
She noted that significant milestones have been achieved, including the selection and verification of 108 Community Vision Committee members and 270 Participatory Integrated Planning (PI) households. The project has also completed profiling of all the 270 PI households, facilitated participatory identification and prioritization of community challenges, conducted community visioning sessions, and organized 19 community collective action initiatives across the nine PIP communities.

Ms. Mpaire highlighted several community infrastructure improvements undertaken through collective action initiatives. These include cleaning of town councils, rehabilitation of the 2-kilometre Bubaare–Kagarama Road, the 4-kilometre Nyaruhanga Road, the 2-kilometre Nyarukoro–Mukitojo–Mungara Road, rehabilitation and cleaning of Nyagabahesi and Mubunigo protected water springs, rehabilitation of the 2.5-kilometre Hamumba–Murambo Road, the 4.5-kilometre Murambo–Rubanda Road, and improvement of the 3-kilometre Kakihuma–Mukigera Road.

She further explained that the project has conducted household visioning and planning sessions involving all 270 PI households and their spouses, facilitated joint decision-making and family tree sessions, organized community open days to showcase progress, supported the identification and formation of G1 groups, and successfully conducted eight graduation ceremonies.

Despite these achievements, Ms. Mpaire said the project has faced several challenges, including low participation during community collective action initiatives, political disruptions that shortened some training sessions, bereavements that led to postponement of planned activities, and heavy rains that hindered movement to field sites.

She expressed appreciation to SNV for its continued technical and financial support and thanked community leaders and Rubanda District stakeholders for their cooperation throughout project implementation. She also called upon AID to maintain its field presence, promote adaptive learning, and strengthen partnerships to ensure the project's continued success.

Speaking at the same meeting, the Rubanda District Planner, Mr. Wilberforce Korugyendo, urged Parish Chiefs to provide the necessary support to villages participating in the INCLUDE Project. He also called upon all stakeholders to remain committed and cooperative to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of the project interventions. All Parish Chiefs and Community Development Officers (CDOs) are tasked with cascading program information to all community members.

Figure 1: district stakeholders, SNV and INCLUDE officials in a photo moment after the meeting

Figure 2: Franklin tumuheirwe from AID presenting the planned activities for the project

Figure 3:Ms.irene tumushabe from SNV giving a presentation during the negagment meeting