Enima urged farmers to invest in agricultural enterprises that offer quick returns, such as horticulture, poultry keeping, and piggery.
Refugees and members of the host communities living in Rhino Settlement Camp in Terego District have been encouraged to engage in income-generating agricultural activities, particularly vegetable production and poultry farming, to improve their livelihoods and household incomes.
The call was made by Terego District Commercial Officer, Apolonias Enima, during an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training organized by the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) for leaders of farmer groups involved in various agricultural value chains.
The training was conducted at Ofua III Job Centre in Rhino Settlement Camp and later at Omugo Job Centre in Rhino Extension Settlement. It was supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the PROSPECTS programme, which aims to enhance employment opportunities and promote safe working environments for refugees and host communities.
Enima urged farmers to invest in agricultural enterprises that offer quick returns, such as horticulture, poultry keeping, and piggery.
“Growing vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, okra, sukuma wiki and other crops can significantly improve household incomes and living standards. I encourage both refugees and host communities to take advantage of these opportunities,” Enima said.
NOTU Programmes Officer Nicholas Businge, who led the training, emphasized the importance of identifying workplace hazards and implementing safety measures to protect farmers from accidents and injuries.
“As an organization, NOTU advocates for workers’ rights and promotes decent work. Through this training, we have equipped farmers with knowledge on how to identify risks and adopt Occupational Safety and Health practices in their workplaces,” Businge said.
Officials from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) also participated in the training, sensitizing attendees on voluntary savings and the SmartLife Flexi scheme.
NSSF representative Pierra Paula Oferu said refugees with valid identification documents are eligible to register and save through the SmartLife Flexi product, with contributions starting from as little as Shs5,000 and no upper savings limit.
“The product enables individuals to save for short- and medium-term goals such as paying school fees, purchasing land, or building a house,” Oferu explained.
Meanwhile, Terego District Senior Labour Officer Viko Paula urged employers and farm owners to provide workers with appropriate protective gear, including gloves, overalls, headgear, and gumboots, to minimize workplace accidents.
During the training, farmers identified several challenges affecting agricultural production, including snake bites, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and prolonged dry spells.
Participants commended NOTU and the ILO for organizing the training and pledged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to improve safety and productivity in their farming activities.