“The movement energises me”

Facing an uncertain future, 64-year-old Kemirembe Harriet is a dedicated member of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists’ (NAPE) Grassroots Women’s Movement.

The lasting effects of displacement

“I am from Kikuube, a district in Bunyoro and I am among the internally displaced people of Kijayo displaced peoples camp, evicted as a result of the sugar cane plantation.” 

As a result of being evicted, “the children don’t have schools to go to and they can’t get an education. When they fall sick, we don’t have access to medical facilities. When mothers give birth, they have problems in accessing hospitals due to poor roads and sometimes they die while delivering.” 

“When we were evicted, our husbands abandoned us. After that, we were caring for our children through struggle. We cannot grow our own food due to not having land. We have never been compensated. Our land was taken for nothing. We had completely lost hope” 

Harriet criticizes the government’s approach to bringing in investors: “I have been disappointed by our government, who bring investors to the country and who don’t follow due diligence in regards to compensation procedures. Government is meant to protect its citizens, not the other way around.” 

Collective learning and movement building

NAPE has been working with the women of Kikuube to ensure they have the skills and community to support their families and livelihoods. 

“NAPE has trained us on how to grow vegetables without land in buckets and polythene bags. They are now putting them in their courtyards and compounds in order to produce enough food. We have also been trained by NAPE on income generating activities and food security. 

I am so happy to be part of the grassroots women’s movement because it has motivated me to work. I now earn a living and can save. It has empowered me to socialise with other women, to share knowledge and experiences. The movement energises me. I am able to share, to love, to be loved and now I feel happier with my family and children. 

By coming together in a women’s movement, we have support, solidarity and we can amplify our voices on issues that affect us. Being part of NAPE’s movement has empowered us to understand our rights, especially land rights. We feel energised and have the strength to resist land grabs. Our husbands cannot sell land without our consent. We will resist it. That land belongs to our family. That land belongs to all of us.” 

Ecofeminism and the future  

“Ecofeminism has taught me that it is important to protect nature and also to guard against land grabs. We can protect the security and safety of the land and retain the land in its natural state. 

I worry for the future generation because I know my children don’t have land where they will live permanently. My children have not gone to school. Where will their future be? Will they ever raise money and buy land of their own?  

Because of this, it is very important that girls come and join the movement. This will mean their generation is part of the movement building and this will improve welfare of the people.” 

Womankind has been partners with NAPE since 2017, and recently funded NAPE’s grassroots movement work through the Movement Strengthening Fund.