What is LABE and Government of Uganda doing?
Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE) and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development are reinforcing their commitment to grassroots literacy initiatives in Uganda. This comes ahead of International Literacy Day, celebrated on September 8th each year. A joint team from both organizations is conducting field visits to project sites in Northern Uganda and the West Nile region, with the Ministry team led by Everest Tumwesigye, the Commissioner for Community Development and Literacy. LABE’s Executive Director, Stellah Keihangwe Tumwebaze, is spearheading the organization’s efforts on the ground.
What is LABE Uganda?
Founded in 1989, Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE) is a Ugandan NGO dedicated to empowering communities through sustainable literacy programs, focusing on equitable grassroots development. The organization has helped marginalized communities, especially women and girls, using education as a tool to break the cycle of poverty. Play materials are used as learning and teaching materials according to Joyce Nairuba, the Communication Officer at LABE.
These field visits follow a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on May 30, 2024, between LABE and the Ministry of Gender, setting a collaborative framework to enhance initiatives in responsive caregiving, preschool learning, livelihood literacy, and parenting skills development within home-based learning environments. The impact of this partnership is already visible, with substantial progress reported in Koboko, Terego, and Obongi districts.
During the visit, the teams met district leaders, including the District Education Officer (DEO), the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and representatives from the German Adult Education Association. Feedback from both community members and local officials has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the transformative nature of the initiatives.
A word from Everest Tumwesigye on the work of LABE
Everest Tumwesigye, the Commissioner for Community Development and Literacy, expressed his admiration for the Terego District DEO, who has turned his own home into a Home Learning Centre to support Early Childhood Development (ECD) and home-based learning. “This demonstrates that our goals are already integrated into the budget. With forthcoming Government of Uganda Development Funding, we plan to scale these interventions nationally. We envision turning LABE’s Home Learning Centres into model centers, which will expand into a nationwide program,” Tumwesigye said.
LABE’s initiatives in home-based learning are a cornerstone of its strategy. Since 2010, the organization has established eight Home Learning Centres (HLCs) in Terego District alone. These centers incorporate innovative teaching methods, using locally-made play materials such as clay dolls, cubes, and handcrafted pottery to create a more engaging learning experience for children. LABE also trains parents to make these materials, fostering a collaborative learning environment at home.
What did Stellah Tumwebaze say following the feedback?
Stellah Tumwebaze, LABE’s Executive Director, emphasized the importance of solidifying the organization’s work in its current areas before considering expansion. “We are eager to expand to additional sub-counties within Obongi, Terego, and Koboko. However, our immediate focus is to strengthen the impact in our current areas to ensure a solid foundation before considering broader expansion. We don’t want to get into a situation where we expand but under-deliver in some sub-counties,” she remarked.
The impact of LABE’s work extends beyond education. Locals have received financial support to engage in income-generating activities. Four Home Learning Centres received an additional UGX 250,000 each, enabling them to start small ventures like maize planting and selling cooked food. Parents have also been educated on saving through the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), empowering communities, particularly women, through farming and hospitality services.
What representatives fromfrom Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development said about LABE
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development expressed its enthusiasm for renewing its partnership with LABE, reaffirming its commitment to making Adult Basic Education (ABE) and ECD accessible to all Ugandans. LABE continues to expand its reach, mobilizing communities and local leaders to drive positive change at the grassroots level.
As Uganda prepares to celebrate International Literacy Day, LABE and the Ministry of Gender’s collaborative efforts are a reminder that literacy is more than just reading and writing—it is the foundation for a brighter future for communities across the country.
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