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The Village That Raised Me: My Path to Community Leadership"
My love for community work began in 2008 when I was still a young boy, and the LC1 Chairman of our village suggested I join his committee. Many opposed it, arguing that I was too young and still in school. Nevertheless, the chairman continued to involve me in several community engagements both within and outside our village during my school holidays. This experience partly shaped who I became in 2012, when the government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, began acquiring our land to build an oil refinery.
Farming was our livelihood, so seeing this land converted into compensation, and unfortunately, where only household heads—mainly our fathers—were signing agreements and receiving the money, greatly puzzled me. Growing up, I watched our mothers work tirelessly in the fields, yet when it came time to make key decisions about the harvest or finances, our fathers would have the final say, often disregarding our mothers’ input. Realizing that the compensation process would likely play out similarly, I felt compelled to act.
On August 15, 2012, we held a meeting at my former primary school in Kyapaloni, with the assistance of our LC1 chairman, to better understand the project, as information about it was scarce. That meeting marked the beginning of the Oil Refinery Residents Association (ORRA), a pressure group that advocated for the concerns of the affected 13 villages. ORRA quickly became a platform for addressing issues that impacted women, youth, and other vulnerable groups, including questions about fair compensation rates and the impact of the project on the community.
Today, I am a passionate community organizer, and since 2012, we have worked with diverse groups, inspiring fellow young people in my community to engage in positive activism that promotes human rights and environmental protection. When I look back at the people I have inspired to join this cause, it fills my heart with joy and motivates me to continue empowering vulnerable communities and helping them build resilience.
I owe much gratitude to those who shaped my journey. My parents who raised me with strong values, and I will always be thankful to our Chairman, Bedijo Oscar, who trusted me with responsibilities beyond my age. I am also indebted to Dickens Kamugisha of the Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), who met me in 2012 at Nyahaira Primary School and told me, “Chris, you’re such an inspiring young man, and you have a lot of potential.” His encouragement and mentorship in community development work have been invaluable.
Another key figure in my journey is Winfred Ngabirwe of Global Rights Alert (GRA), who entrusted me with the role of chief community-based monitor. In December 2013, she invited me to Kampala to their head office and informed me that they were planning to open a field office in Hoima, where I would be in charge. Although I expressed concerns about my age, she reassured me by saying, “I know that, but you’re the right person.” Although I ultimately had to decline to pursue A-level studies, I recommended someone who still works very well with GRA today.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge Benon Tusingwire of NAVODA Hoima. Together, we have faced numerous challenges, including arrests and detentions, as we fought for the land rights of refinery-affected people. I am deeply thankful for everyone who has played a role in shaping my path and supporting my work in community advocacy.
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