Strengthening Social Cohesion and Stability in Slum Populations

Youth unemployment is a daunting challenge across the world, with a worrying link to a rising incidence of radicalization and violent extremism.

Between 2016 and 2020, IOM Uganda implemented the SSCoS project, financed by the European Union. The project set out to change lives in city slums with jobless youths with a view to, ultimately, reducing the risk of radicalization and violent extremism .

The 42-month project started in Bwaise, but was also implemented in Kisenyi, Katwe and Kabalagala slums of Kampala. In partnership with the Uganda Police, aspects of the project were extended to the regions of Greater Masaka (central Uganda), Rwizi (southern Uganda) and Greater Busoga in the east. SSCoS’s overall objective was to tackle the root causes of inter-communal conflict in slum populations by addressing the sources of grievances – such as unemployment – and by strengthening community cohesion around shared development assets.

The project was delivered together with the the Bwaise-based Action for Fundamental Change and Development (AFFCAD), Xavier Project, ACTogether and YARID, as well key Government institutions like the Uganda Police Force and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

Related Resources

• Improving Service Delivery Training Manual
• Preventing Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalisation that Lead to Terrorism
• Rapid Assessment on Services Available in Bwaise and Kabalagala Slums
• Training workbook on Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalisation that Lead to Terrorism (VERLT) 
• Baseline Report – Strengthening Social Cohesion in Kampala Slums 
• SSCoS Community Score card Report
• What the SSCoS project is all about
• Why European Union is Supporting Kampala Slums
• Social Cohesion Newsletter, March 2018
• Vendor Information Sheet