Research consultancy

PROJECT PROPOSAL: PHASE III
FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION
Building Resilient, Trafficking-Free Communities in Uganda’s Border Districts

Geographic Focus: Busia, Malaba, Lwakhakha, Tororo, Mbale, Namisindwa, and Namayingo
Target Group: Vulnerable youth, women (18–35), and survivors of human trafficking
Project Duration: 24 months
Implementing Agency: The Salvation Army Uganda Territory (TSA-Uganda)

Table of Contents

• Background
• Importance of the Theory of Change
• Target Population
• Geographic Scope
• Beneficiaries
• Alignment with National Policies and Strategies
• Organizational Strategies
• Problem Statement / Context Analysis
• Long-Term Goal
• Outcomes
• Outputs
• Activities / Interventions
• Inputs / Resources
• Causal Pathways / Linkages
• Assumptions
• Risks and Mitigation
• Indicators and Monitoring
• Long-Term Impact

Background

The Salvation Army Uganda Territory (TSA-Uganda) has played a leading role in addressing human trafficking and modern slavery through its structured Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Project, implemented in successive phases to respond to evolving challenges in Uganda’s high-risk border and transit regions. Districts such as Busia, Malaba, Lwakhakha, Tororo, Mbale, Namisindwa, and Namayingo serve as major migration corridors, where high mobility, informal cross-border trade, unemployment, and limited access to safe migration information expose communities—particularly women, youth, and children—to exploitation.

Guided by The Salvation Army’s global Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response (MSHTR) strategy, the Fight for Freedom framework, and Uganda’s National Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons, the project adopts a holistic approach that integrates prevention, survivor support, partnerships, advocacy, and evidence-based programming.

Phases I and II established a strong foundation, reaching over 200,000 individuals through community awareness, Rights of Children (RoC) clubs, training of Volunteer Community Champions, engagement with transport-sector actors, and media campaigns. Notable achievements include sustainable community structures, the repatriation of over 200 Ugandan survivors from India, and strengthened referral pathways through cross-border collaboration.

Phase III represents a consolidation and deepening phase, shifting from awareness to practical, skills-based prevention, survivor empowerment, and evidence-driven advocacy through three strategic pillars:

1. Prevention (safe migration education and job verification tools)
2. Survivor Support and Empowerment (economic resilience and leadership)
3. Research and Advocacy (policy-relevant evidence generation)

Importance of the Theory of Change

The Theory of Change (ToC) provides a structured and evidence-based roadmap linking project inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and long-term impact. It ensures a shift from awareness to action by addressing key gaps such as unsafe migration, deceptive recruitment, and economic vulnerability.

The ToC strengthens accountability, supports adaptive management, and promotes sustainability by embedding interventions within existing community systems, including schools, RoC clubs, Salvation Army Corps, and transport networks. It also enhances communication with stakeholders by clearly demonstrating alignment with national priorities and global frameworks.

Target Population, Geographic Scope, and Beneficiaries

Target Population:
The project focuses on groups most vulnerable to trafficking, including:

• Children and adolescents (in and out of school)
• Young women (18–35), especially job seekers and single parents
• Youth influencers and community leaders
• Transport-sector workers (boda-boda riders, taxi operators, truck drivers)
• Faith community members
• Survivors requiring reintegration support

Geographic Scope:
The project operates in seven high-risk districts: Busia, Malaba, Lwakhakha, Tororo, Mbale, Namisindwa, and Namayingo, maintaining continuity in 20–25 established hotspots while expanding to underserved schools.

Beneficiaries:

• Direct beneficiaries: ~20,000 individuals (youth, community actors, survivors)
• Indirect beneficiaries: ~70,000 individuals (families and wider communities)

Alignment with National Policies and Strategies

The project aligns with Uganda’s National Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons, the National Child Policy, and the Victim Case Management System. It supports coordination with key government institutions and contributes to global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 5, 8, and 16).

Organizationally, the project is embedded within The Salvation Army’s MSHTR strategy and Fight for Freedom framework, ensuring consistency with global anti-trafficking efforts.

Problem Statement

Human trafficking remains a persistent challenge in Uganda, particularly in border regions where poverty, unemployment, and lack of information increase vulnerability. Traffickers exploit these conditions through deceptive recruitment, leading to forced labor, sexual exploitation, and unsafe migration.

High-risk districts experience weak border controls and high mobility, increasing exposure to trafficking networks. Vulnerable groups—especially young women, youth, and children—face heightened risks due to economic pressures, limited opportunities, and social factors.

Long-Term Goal

To establish resilient, trafficking-free communities in Uganda’s border districts, where individuals can migrate safely, access dignified livelihoods, and live free from exploitation.

Outcomes

• Increased adoption of safe migration practices (70% of participants)
• Improved economic resilience among survivors (80%)
• Strengthened coordination and policy influence

Outputs

• 5 new RoC clubs established
• 20–30 community and transport actors trained
• Job verification tools distributed to 500+ youth
• 25+ survivors supported and reintegrated
• 2 policy briefs developed and disseminated

Activities / Interventions

• Capacity-building trainings and action planning
• School club formation and strengthening
• Job verification tool development and dissemination
• Survivor support and livelihood linkages
• Research, policy engagement, and advocacy
• Media campaigns and community outreach

Inputs / Resources

• Trained personnel and community structures
• Funding and partnerships
• Salvation Army infrastructure and global tools
• Collaboration with government and NGOs

Causal Pathways

If resources and activities are effectively implemented, then outputs such as trained actors and supported survivors will be achieved, leading to behavioral change, stronger systems, and ultimately resilient, trafficking-free communities.

Assumptions

• Strong community ownership
• Continued stakeholder collaboration
• Stable socio-economic environment
• Adoption of safe migration practices

Risks and Mitigation

• Economic pressures → mitigated through livelihood support
• Stigma → addressed through trusted community engagement
• Instability → managed through flexible planning
• Stakeholder turnover → mitigated through institutional systems

Indicators and Monitoring

The project uses SMART indicators to track progress across outputs, outcomes, and impact, supported by surveys, reports, case studies, and evaluations. Continuous monitoring ensures adaptive learning and accountability.

Long-Term Impact

• Reduced trafficking and exploitation
• Safer migration practices
• Empowered survivors as community leaders
• Strengthened national response systems
• Contribution to SDGs and sustainable development