Papoli village is located in Iyolwa sub county, west Budama county, Tororo district, Uganda. South borders Busia district along river Malaba/Malawa which flows into lake Kyoga and joins river Nile. East borders Osukuru subcounty in Tororo county, north Poyameri Village along Tororo- Jinja/Kampala highway which also leads to Mombasa port in Kenya; also in Iyolwa sub county and west Nambogo village. Papoli village stretches a length of about 4×3 miles, half of which is communal grazing swampy land with no settlements.
People Population of about 3,800 people, as 50:50% male/female; about 65% are bellow the age of 18 years; of which over 50% are orphans, total or lost one parent due to HIV and AIDS. There are mainly 3 different tribes settled her as Jopadhola being majority..75%, Iteso 1bou 24% and Samia. At national level-Uganda, the Jopadhola account for 2% of population.
Age structure
0-14 years: 51.0%
15-64 years: 47.0%
65 years and over: 2.0%)
Religion Religion predominantly Protestant with good number of Roman Catholics and other Pentecostals too.
Schools Has a preschool with capacity of 120, but now holding over 170 kids, primary school with capacity of 420 but currently accommodating over 700 children from primary 1 to 7 at ages 6/7 to 13-16 years. After primary the children have to compete to joining Rainer high school which is nearest secondary school with capacity for senior one of 80 children, but children from 16 primary school around it compete for the limited space…over 1,600 competing for 80 places; this is partly the reason for us planning for a Papoli secondary school as a matter of priority. University graduates number about 22 of which 16 are the Ofumbiz, with Undergraduates numbering 8 of which 5 are the Ofumbiz!
Climate Tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August)
Natural Resources Nil
Soils Sandy loam
Income The people of Papoli are largely peasants, they grow millet, maize/corn, cassava, peanuts, sweet potatoes for domestic consumption, some surplus for market for some little income. Rice growing is on increase, though draining swamps! Some animals kept at home are cows, goats, chicken sheep and pigs. There are three fish ponds and one women group that has improved goats, cross breeds and apiary.
Landholding Many families make live on under 1 acre of land, they have to hire and pay in-kind when they harvest or borrow land from bigger land owners. Women and children traditionally do not own land. Most land holding is traditional, only 4 village members have land titles for their property.
Environment Current issues: draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; is widespread. The only “ forested patch in the village is at the home stead of the Ofumbiz.
Health Facilities The nearest hospital and maternity being Tororo hospital which is 10 miles east of Papoli. Iyolwa sub county health centre 3 is 8 miles west with no ambulance and most often without essential drugs.
HIV Prevalence HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate: 6.5%
Government and Administrative Divisions Papoli village also covers Papoli local government parish. There are 7 local council 1 zones/cells. Each village council one has 11 members. Papoli Community Development Foundation-PACODEF:
This is the development agency of the village that has been founded by village elders and council members. A road map for its operation has evolved from the Tampa-Tororo friendship association strategic plan. Each local council zone is represented in the village assembly by chairman 4representatives; being woman representative, youth representatives (male +female) and a man. There are some 10 additional special representations being religious leaders and government representatives. The village assembly elects 13 people to the village development council, which constitute PACODEF Advisory board. PACODEF currently operates with skeleton volunteer staff of 5 who coordinate work in progress hand in hand with LC officials and other government technical staff. PACODEF operates in an office housed in the preschool building. PACODEF is a member of the sub county local government planning committee. PACODEF is dully registered as a community based organization with the district local government and has filed for registration with national/central government.
Emma’s Role My role has been largely as a contact, process facilitator, vision bearer, may be also some one inspiring action from both sides. I have done a fair piece in planning, lobbying, enabling both partners appreciate each other and at times almost failed to find which place I belong to…whether PCPC or Papoli proper. Building a team in both places. Taking Papoli to America and elaborately explaining the opportunities available for members of PCPC to partner with villagers of Papoli to assist them do what they are already trying to do.
I have also been a trusted custodian of funds wired directly in my personal account for village work. My relationship with village folks..down to earth due to past experiences as agricultural extension worker has enabled me to cut across communities very well. My human right training has to added to my concern for village folks who have been under privileged. Above all my back ground and up bringing, Christian back ground has made me what I am. Over 1,000 mails to and fro since 2001!
With the village council, I usually facilitate them to make informed decisions on a number of village development issues, I enable them see alternatives( using participatory rural appraisal techniques-PRA) and at the end they select what they prefer as best for them.
— Emmanuel Ofumbi
Click here to read about current needs in Papoli.
