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		Following are examples of assignments carried out by Ssemwanga Consulting: ü Health, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS 1. Overview of the Project ACDI/VOCA Title II HIV and AIDS Initiative started a food distribution activity in January 2002 with the objective of improving the quality of medical services offered by Africare, Catholic Relief Services, The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) and World Vision. TASO is the largest of the implementing partner, however progress reports indicated that only 36% of their registered beneficiaries were turning up for food rations. Therefore the need to determine the reasons why TASO clients are not collecting rations as expected. Description of services i) Designed and conducted a study of assessment of attendance of food services by TASO clients at seven different TASO centres in Uganda and made recommendations on how to increase attendance. ii) Designed and conducted an impact survey of attendance of food services by TASO clients at different TASO centres in Uganda and made recommendations on how to increase attendance. 2. Overview of the Project World Vision has a livelihoods security project in Northern Uganda to improve agricultural productivity and production and the health and nutrition status of vulnerable groups including people living with HIV/AIDS. The Ssemwanga Centre conducted a mid-term evaluation of the intervention to assess the impact and recommend ways of improving the program management. Description of services Survey design, training, data collection, analysis and report writing. 3. Overview of the Project The PL-480 Title II HIV/AIDS Initiative is a food distribution intervention in Uganda aimed at improving the food security of 60,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. Beneficiaries receive corn soy blend and vegetable oil through implementing partners (CRS, WORLD VISION, AFRICARE, and TASO) who offer complementary services (e.g. counseling, nursing care, psycho-social support, etc.). The Ssemwanga Centre conducted a baseline study and other surveys once a year for five years to evaluate the progress or impact of the program upon beneficiaries. Description of services Data collection required household interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and anthropometric measurements followed by data analysis and report writing. 4. Overview of the Project In conjunction with the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), ACDI/VOCA sought a dynamic measurement tool to assess the actual impact of food rations distributed to PLWHAs under its PL-480 Title II HIV/AIDS Initiative. The Ssemwanga Centre assessed the impact of the food rations on specific individuals and developed anthropometric monitoring tools followed by quarterly studies of the same individuals to evaluate the tools and impact. The findings were presented at the IFPRI HIV/AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa in May 2005. Description of services Data collection involving household interviews, conducting various anthropometric measurements and data analysis. 5. Overview of the Project Under ACDIVOCA's PL-480 Title II HIV/AIDS food distribution intervention aimed at improving the food security people living with HIV/AIDS, implementing partners (CRS, WORLD VISION, AFRICARE, and TASO collect data at food distribution points all year round to assess the beneficiaries’ health status, ration utilization and the food distribution process. ACDI/VOCA, the client, required this data for quarterly reports relayed to the donor – USAID. Description of services Designed the data capture forms, data coding, entry and analysis. Report writing for the whole three year period that this exercise run till September 2006. ü Monitoring and Evaluation of Agricultural Projects Overview of the project Despite the near-ideal climate permitting food production through out the year, Uganda continues to be in a state of food insecurity. This is due to low levels of production and inability to hold reserves to fall back to in case of disruptions to production. The objective of the USAID funded ACDI/VOCA PL-480 Title II Program is to increase the production of maize, beans, cassava and oil seeds by small and medium scale producers with the aim of (a) increasing self produced food retained for consumption at household level and (b) increasing cash incomes from the surplus. Description of services Monitoring the program by training more than 25 beneficiaries in accurate and reliable data collection, making spot checks to ensure that their activities were in line with their plans and budgets. Worked with the client to rectify any anomalies in the implementation of the projects. ü Market Analysis 1. Overview of the Project ICRAF in collaboration with NARO is testing several temperate fruits (pears, apples, peaches, nectarines, plums and figs) in Kigezi highlands and improved mango and avocado cultivars in the lakeshore belt. The process to further develop and scale up the development of fruit tree growing among small scale farmers needed to determine the market and processing potential of the selected temperate tropical tree fruits in Uganda. Description of services Identified the major sources of temperate and tropical fruits marketed in selected towns, established the commercial practices, competitive niche markets, opportunities and requirements for processing of tree fruits and constraints faced by various stakeholders. 2. Overview of the project Ugachick Poultry Breeders Ltd (UPBL) is a major player in Uganda’s poultry industry. Its products include day-old chicks, dressed chicken, hatching eggs and animal feeds. UPBL’s capacity utilisation was low and they needed to increase it by penetrating the market lost over the years and exploring any opportunities present in the regional markets. APDF worked with UPBL to restructure the company and identify financiers for the expansion phase. A market study was required as part of the restructuring plan. Description of services Reviewed the market for the range of Ugachick products, assessed their potential at both the domestic and export level and how that potential could be realised. 3. Overview of the Project: Jakana Foods Limited was in the process on commercialising the processing of natural fruit juice under its family brand name JAKANA, following production tests running in a pilot plant since 1997. They had already test marketed seven single fruit juice products and one punch. Market trials targeting middle class outlets showed that there was enough market to proceed to commercialisation stage. Description of services Conducted a study to review and validate the market viability of the project. ü Baseline Studies. 1. Overview of the Project ACDI/VOCA REAP project planned to improve food and livelihood security for residents of Palenga and Bobi camps in Gulu district through increased agricultural productivity and a revitalized rural economy. A benchmark level upon which the impact of the program would be measured after interventions was established. Description of services Designed and conducted a study of the production and marketing of five target crops; Maize, Beans, Cassava, rice and vegetables in Gulu district and compiled the findings and recommendations into a single report. 2. Overview of the Project A consortium of partners namely Land O’ Lakes, Worldwide Sires, and Heifer Project International planned to implement a three year activity with the aim to increasing incomes for rural dairy farmers through higher productivity and competitiveness in Uganda. The consortium offers on-going technical assistance to dairy farmers, producer groups, processors and associations in the dairy industry. A baseline study was required to provide a reference upon which impact of consortium’s interventions will be measured in all its operational areas. Description of services Designed and conducted a baseline survey in four different regions of Uganda and compiled a report of the findings and recommendations. 3. Overview of the Project Technoserve is a USAID funded institution currently undertaking a development program, Building Rural Incomes Through Enterprise (BRITE) in Arua and Nebbi districts in North Eastern and Apac in Northern Uganda. The overall goal of BRITE is to enable small-scale farmers to live more secure and productive lives. Description of services Conducted a baseline survey covering crop production and marketing, household incomes and financial mediation in the three districts. ü Agribusiness Management 1. Overview of the Project Uganda Martyrs University-Nkozi (UMU) established Equator Valley Farm with the aim to generating income for the University and also to be an engine for development in the area. The farm runs piggery, poultry, banana, coffee, vegetables, coffee nursery enterprises, animal feeds and maize mill processing units. UMU realised that the farm was not running profitably so there was a need to establish the reasons why. Description of services Carried out a diagnostic study of Equator Valley Farm and compiled a report of the findings and recommendations for turning the firm round and improving its performance. 2. Overview of the project The out grower system, a production management technique (i.e. the engaging of small scale producers to grow a commodity for a specific buyer under contract) is in early stages as a formal management technique in Uganda. The Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC) has promoted the use of out grower schemes through development of a workbook, workshops and other training and assistance with pilot efforts. ADC is also taking a pro-active approach to promoting out grower schemes and testing management technologies for low value crops. ADC promotes production of Non-Traditional Agricultural Exports through the participation of rural, small-scale producers by encouraging the establishment and proper use of out-grower schemes. Description of services Assisted management of the companies in developing management tools (records) for the out grower program and to field-test the records/systems with extension people and out growers. Provided oversight of the running of the schemes in terms of monitoring production and loan repayment. ü Strategy Formulation 1. Overview of the Project Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is an agency of government responsible for attracting, promoting and facilitating investment. It assists investors to expediently implement their business plans and advises government on the best practice business policies. UIA is collaborating with the Meteorology Department, Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment to promote and facilitate Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) investment opportunities under the Kyoto Protocol. UIA recognised the need to create an investment environment meeting the special needs of CDM project development and to develop tools to market CDM investment opportunities in Uganda. Description of services Assessed the potential for Uganda to attract CDM investments, developed a CDM marketing strategy, and produced an inventory of existing and potential CDM projects in Uganda. 2. Overview of the Project Uganda is currently trying to diversify its exports and the Horticulture sector is one of the sectors identified under the Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Program under International Trade Centre that needs promotion by identifying the major opportunities, constraints and the main strategies the Country should adopt to increase horticultural exports. Description of services Carried out a diagnostic study of fruits and vegetable exports and assisted the Uganda Export Promotion Board and Horticulture exporters in the formulation of a strategy for promoting horticulture exports for Uganda under International Trade Centre. Training assignments include: ü Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) Overview of the project The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) is an umbrella organisation for large and small manufacturers in Uganda. One way in which they promote the interests of their members is training them in skills that would enhance their productivity and competitiveness. In recognition of the important role played by sound QC and QA principals, UMA in conjunction with Midway Technologies of UK and financed by Department for International Development (DFID) of UK, commissioned SC to undertake training of its members in this aspect of food processing. Description of services Trained participants in principles of Quality Assurance and Control, principles of hygiene management, cleaning and sanitizing plants, Hazard Analysis and Control Point (HACCP), primary production - food chain, problem solving. ü Food Processing and New Food Product Development. Overview of the project New products fail because of deficiencies in the management of the changes that are involved. The need for new products is inevitable due to many factors including consumer’s tastes and preferences, which are always changing. UMA supports industries in Uganda to be competitive through, inter alia, training its members. Description of services Trained participants in the ten stages in new product development, product analysis, market surveys for product quality and market size and value, scaling up production & planning and managing change. Conducted practical sessions covering the same topics.