LCT Reports and strategic reviews for 2023/2026

Since formation, LCT has:

• Provided poverty relief due to climatic problems and displaced persons.
• Set a scholarships and bursaries scheme in order to curb drop-outs rates amongst the disadvantaged 13–20-year-old from “O” leaves to progress so that they gain qualifications at “A” and Tertiary education levels.
• Empowered the poorest groups of people in Lango sub region so far where it operates by developing partnerships with groups like heads of families and working with other civil society organizations.
• Provided advocacy and raised awareness against extreme poverty.
• Conducted research on capacity building to curb chronic poverty.
• Disseminated information to the general public and other development organisations so that people can learn from good outcomes
• Promoted collaboration and partnership relationships with Youth Development Organisation to reduce chronic poverty.
• Mentored leaders and empowers volunteers.

LCT Partners:

• Kwania Orphans Education Centre (KOEC) NGO, Kwania & Maruji Districts
• YAWODI – Youth at Work Organisation and Development Initiative Project, Lira District.

PAST PROJECTS

Capacity building of Civil Society in Lango Sub-region

The total population of Lango sub-region has been estimated to be around 2.8 million people by (UBS, July 2018).

 LCT carried out an assessment of the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Lira, Uganda to effectively serve the needs of their beneficiaries and to work in partnership with UK based charities. Eight CSOs worked in partnership with LCT to follow up the report.

The main findings were:

1. that the CSOs need support in developing the knowledge, skills (human capital) and work practices of the people who work in them.
2. that there is no second-tier infrastructure organisation in Lira to support the CSOs and that the District Administration does not have the experience and resources for the effective coordination of the work of CSOs.
3. to enable the poor, identify and implement sustainable and home-grown programmes for improving their livelihoods.
4. CSOs’ and LCT to draw up Action plans and project proposals.

LCT facilitated a workshop attended by representatives of 30 CSOs from which completed questionnaires were received by local government officials. Follow-up group meetings were held with representatives of CSOs who expressed interest. Also, separate meetings were held with District Administration officials and cultural leaders.

LCT has used the information gathered from the questionnaires, the workshop and group discussions and consultations with District Administration representatives. It identified the following issues:

• The major cause of the increase in poverty and suffering in Lira district and Lango Sub-region, northern Uganda.
• How the practical needs of poor people can best be addressed through building the capacity of CSOs and the District Administration.
• How to focus on the needs of the most vulnerable groups such as, children, youth, women and the elderly through targeted intervention (including advocacy complimentary services and partnership with other organisations) aimed at meeting the needs of such groups.
• The need to establish the foundations for long –term capacity development support of the CSOs in Lira and subsequently Lango Sub-region and;
• To engage the most vulnerable groups identified take greater control over their own development and to meeting their practical needs.

LCT scholarships and bursaries scheme

Over the past years, we funded 25 beneficiaries from Senior Secondary School from the age of 13-20 years from three districts, in Lango Sub-region Uganda. Grants were secured from Allan and Nesta Ferguson charitable Trust and Panasonic for topping up the tuition fees plus living costs for a few facing extreme financial hardship.

Scholarships and bursaries scheme 2019- 2022

Kwania Orphans Education Centre (KOEC) was formed with the help of people who are passionate to see these children start a nursery education. Thirty children were admitted with the help of fund raised. The board has worked with heads of families and teachers to keep these children and the number increased to 50 orphans. These children managed to secondary schools until “O” levels but some of them became vulnerable due to failure to meet school fees.  We continue to work with in partnerships with Kwania Orphans education centre, to ensure orphans and students from disadvantaged between the ages of 16-21 continue to gain qualification through vocational training. 

COVID-19 Recovery programmes

LCT worked in partnership with Youth At Work Organisation & Development Initiative (YAWODI) based in Lira District.  The youth (16- 24-year-olds) were engaged and sensitised to realise their full potential through skills identification and training for economic development. During COVID-19 lock down period due to health and safety, the following activities were carried out:

• Different clan leaders were sensitised in order to iron out unacceptable practices against girl child education.
• From November 2021 until January 2022, a series of radio talk show program were conducted using Radio Unit on reducing teenage pregnancy and forced early marriages as a result chronic poverty that was escalated by COVID-19 challenges period.
• In April 2022 Mildred Ogwal a representative of LCT visited to Lango Sub-region to facilitate the two youth projects.

2022- 2024 scholarships scheme

In 2022, we received 28 applications from students from low income or disadvantaged backgrounds, like orphans or those with disabilities.  However, we only selected 6 students, and two qualified, one secured a government bursary, two more yet to complete by the end of August 2026.

• Five scholars have pursued nursing at UCI, Lira City.

Youth leadership and entrepreneurial skills (training, income generation and duplication)

• Identified youth who are less privileged or orphaned, have limited to low-paid and not qualifications.
• Students receive training at salons or with hair dresses, including how to manage budget and how to use accounting software for cash flows. 
• Graduates earn (and continue learning) and mentor new participants and work in threes (chairs and kits). 

Current Problems and challenges at hand

It is estimated that over 70% of the youths that attend schools are not able to complete tertiary and university education due to poverty and cultural discrimination against girl children. Statistics show that for every 10 drop out cases, 8 are girls; reflecting an awesome 80% of drop outs rate for girls. This situation is likely to continue in the future despite the government’s emphasis on girl child education largely because most good schools in the country are privately owned. As noted above, the majority of them, particularly girls, drop out of schools prematurely and end up in early marriages and other vices.

Orphans and the disabled vulnerable children

We have continued with poverty reduction projects by working with Kwania Orphans Education Centre (KOEC).  The training centre absorbed and monitored 150 orphans below the age of 15 years at primary school level for continuity to secondary, technical and vocational education.

 Scholarships 2024-2026: supporting access to vocational and tertiary education

We have received applications for scholarships and bursaries for 28 students.  LCT proposes to raise scholarships to fund eligible 16-21 years olds gain qualifications at vocational levels, using a ratio of (60:40% for girls and boys).

 Youth Development Project

At least 30 youth (between 16-24 years) youth farming and leadership mentoring scheme. The project expanded to Otwal, Aduku, Atura, Alebtong, Otuke self-help groups working with heads of families. The youth development project approach is to plant trees and crops in order to raise income but also to combat the negative effects of cutting trees and climatic problems. This project has benefitted 3,000 people an includes planting food crops for short term solutions as summed up below:

1. First, the Youth leadership and entrepreneurial skills (16- 21-year-olds. Specialist coaching and mentoring to empower youth for a startup business or Digital technical skills using in person and IT online training platform (money management and budget skills) has been in progress.  Follow-ups to help the business grow through local and international markets are being conducted.
2. Second, Cocoa and agro-framing. The youth have tested a Youth led-agro cocoa farming that will improve the livelihood of 16–24-year-olds.

LCT Board/Monitoring Team
December 2025 report