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Plot 1 Katalima Crescent, Lower Naguru. P. O. Box 27034, Kampala, Uganda. Tel: + 256

414 540719. E-mail: nature@natureuganda.org

Minutes of the 22nd Annual General Meeting held on the 4th April 2014 at the Uganda

Museum

Agenda 1. Arrival of members and registration 2. Opening prayer and Welcome remarks from the Chair 3. Reading and approving of the minutes of the previous meeting 4. Business arising out of the previous minutes 5. Presentation of the Annual Report – by the Chairman 6. Presentation of the Financial Report with audited accounts, financial income and

expenditure – by the Treasurer 7. Elections - Vice chair and 2 Committee Members 8. Appointment of the auditors

Min 1/ 22/ AGM – Registration of the members present at the meeting

1.1 Attendance list attached (see annex 1); Members absent with apologies: Prof. William

Banage, Prof. Christine Dranzoa, Dr. Anne Akol, Dr. Robert Nabanyumya and Dr Robert Kityo.

Min 2/22/AGM Opening prayer and Welcome remarks from the Chair

2.1 Opening prayer by Tamale Denison from MUST – NU branch at 05: 14pm

2.2 Remarks from the Chairman: The Chairman called the meeting to order at 05:16pm. He

highlighted on the following:

Thanked members for finding time to participate in NatureUganda activities and in

particular the AGM - the first one after the approval of the new constitution.

That according to the new constitution, the vacancies for vice chairman and two

committee members would be open for election during that meeting.

That the constitution introduced membership categories; honorary and life members for

which there were none registered yet

That the executive sat four times and were able to form three sub committees i.e.

science and technical, membership and communication and finance and administration

as required by the constitution. The committees in turn sat three times to deliberate on

recommendations made during EC meeting.

That the secretariat plays an important in the day to day running of NU programmes at

their offices on Plot 1, Katalima Crescent in Naguru

Requested NU members to spare time to visit NU offices

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Introduced NU staff

Appreciated the role played by NU branches viz Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale and Busitema

University

Stressed the need to explore more on the need to open up other branches in other

Universities e.g. Makerere University

Highlighted on the income and expenditure - that NU had an income of UGX

2,279,077,581 and an expenditure of UGX 2,133,673,939.

He concluded by stressing the importance of the membership to remain vibrant through

public talks, nature walks and excursions and participation in the Conservation

Conference and Big Birding Day.

Min 3/22/ AGM Reading and approving of the previous minutes

3.1 Members were allowed time to read through the previous minutes.

3.2 Corrections in the previous minutes – corrections were made in the minutes

Min 4/22/AGM Business arising out of the previous minutes

• Issue of affiliation with NatureKenya under the umbrella of EANHS – It was reported that

the EC had looked into the matter and would discuss it even further

• A need for minutes to be circulated before the AGM for ease of making corrections and/

or additions – members proposed a need for an Action Paper to be circulated

• The need for innovativeness in membership renewal ; A decision to send SMS to

members and also to make use of mobile money telephone number 0777147367

• A proposal to raise family membership fees to 30,000/= was raised but deferred to after

the Treasurer’s report

A member, Tamale Denison moved a motion to take the minutes as a true record of what

transpired in the previous meeting. He was seconded.

Action: Minutes were therefore, confirmed as a true record of what had transpired in the

previous meeting. The chairman signed them.

4.1 The chairman gave a brief Action Report: On Min 3.2 - Status of the NatureUganda land (2 plots in Lutembe), it was reported that the delay in securing a land title was a result of the closure of land registry offices

Min 5/22/AGM Presentation of the Annual Report – by the Chairman

5.1 The Chairman, Mr. Paul Mafabi began by welcoming members to the 22nd Annual General Meeting which also doubled as the 104th AGM for East African Natural History Society. Having thanked members for always finding time to participate in activities organized by NatureUganda, he went on to highlight the continued threats to the environment and natural

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resources in all parts of the country, which if was to be combated needed combined efforts by all concerned.

He said that the organization had progressed with activities in conservation, advocacy and

research. He also mentioned the obtaining challenges like the interface between development

and conservation, the continued discovery of fossil oil and gas in the Albertine Rift, Climate

Change and many others. He said that despite all this turbulence, NatureUganda had continued

to grow stronger, with an increasing and active membership. He highlighted on some

constitutional provisions especially the staggered replacement of office bearers and the need to

conduct elections for the Vice Chairperson and two committee members during that meeting.

He applauded the Executive Committee for the tireless effort during the year.

5.2 The Chairman highlighted on membership categories: Individual members, Family members, Student members, Institutional members, corporate members, Life members, honorary members

5.3 The management of the organization and control of its funds and property: NU funds and property would be vested in an Executive Committee of nine (9) members, comprised of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Publicity secretary and five committee members. 5.4 Bridging the funding gap: While 2013 had been not an easy year in terms of funding for the society, did not however affect NatureUganda a lot but because the secretariat with guidance from the EC had managed to attract funds to keep the activities of the society vibrant.

5.5 Conservation Projects. The Chairman noted the importance of advocacy, a cross cutting

issue in all projects. He highlighted the contribution of NU’s activities especially the protection

of 24 Globally Threatened species, 66% of 34 IBAs had been designated as Protected Areas,

27% designated as Ramsar Sites, NU’s focus on two Forest systems (Echuya and Kasyoha

Kitomi) and four wetland Systems (Opeta, Bisina, Nabajjuzi and Mburo-Nakivali) and one

project in agricultural landscape. NU worked with fifteen Site Support Groups which

demonstrated the linkage of conservation and livelihood improvement.

5.7 Research; the chairman reported that NU has worked on the following: • Species monitoring: Bird Population monitoring (covering over 80 sites across the country -

BPM), then the Cranes monitoring programme covering over 15 sites • Baseline studies: Wetlands in eastern Uganda and Ramsar site in MFNP • Surveys and monitoring livelihood interventions in all projects • Other studies were being conducted by working groups

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5.8 Education and Awareness. The chairman reported that NU continued to engage its membership in the following

• Public talks which also had become an important tool for advocacy. • Nature walks which combine both bird watching and nature watching.

• Publications such as The Naturalist and the E Newsletter. He requested the members to

visit NatureUganda website and see the latest posts or visit the resource centre for more

materials to read. With the expansion and contribution of social media the society runs face

book and twitter accounts

• Membership Activities especially the recently held Conservation Conference and the Big

Birding Day

• He expressed Nature Uganda’s indebtedness to the donors and other partners

• He applauded the invaluable contributions of his colleagues on the Executive Committee for

their guidance and support to the secretariat.

• Partnerships: In a bid to consolidate the works of NatureUganda with partners, the chair

informed members that the organization had been able to review partnership agreements

with National Forestry Authority, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Wetlands management

Department.

The chairman ended by thanking all members for the continued support and interest in their

programmes and requested them to continue to be part of it.

Min 6/22/AGM Presentation of the Financial Report with audited accounts, financial income

and expenditure – by the Hon. Treasurer

6.1 M/s Pauline Nantongo the Vice chairperson represented the treasurer who was absent with

apologies) She presented the audited income and expenditure of the society for a period of 12

months (January 1, - December 31st 2013). The report also covers projected income for the

period January 1St 2014 to December 31st 2014. The Society’s accounts were audited in

accordance with the constitutional provisions and International Financial Reporting Standards.

A summary of the audit report is attached.

6.2 Secretariat: It is located on plot 1, Katalima Crescent Lower Naguru (BMCT building). • There are two programme offices located in Masaka, and Kabale. • The society has four membership branches namely IUIU Mbale, Mbarara University,

Gulu University and Busitema University. • The society has a total of 28 members of staff (Technical, support & volunteers • The EC and respective sub committees provide overall oversight to the society.

6.3. Programmes areas:

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a) Institutional Core Support to NU: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has remained the sole funder for institutional support over the years. RSPB/NU signed a new partnership agreement for institutional support for the period 2013-2016. This funding will mainly support organizational development, contributes to rent, core staff, training and membership activities. b) Conservation, Research projects and Membership: The society continues to implement the programmes listed below:

Echuya Forest Conservation Project “Enhancing the livelihoods of local communities dependant on Echuya Forest Reserve” in the districts of Kabale and Kisoro

Bi-annual waterfowl counts and monitoring in Important Bird Areas

Birds Population Monitoring (BPM) in Uganda

Cranes and Wetlands Conservation in South Western Uganda

Lake Victoria Catchment Environment Education Programme (LVCEEP)

Biodiversity & Ecosystem services in tobacco growing regions in Northern Uganda (BATBP)

Biodiversity assessment of wetland systems in Eastern Uganda (JICA)

Eco-system conservation for climate change adaptation in East Africa (EBA)

Surveying migrant and resident birds in MFNP, Ramsar site

Conservation of lesser flamingos in QENP

Conservation of the birds and biodiversity in the Lake Victoria basin through community led action (LEP)

Membership programmes c) Ended projects in 2013; they are:

• Community Based Wetland Biodiversity Conservation programme (COBWEB) in Eastern Uganda

• Echuya Forest Conservation, with funding from RSPB • Biodiversity assessment of wetland systems in Eastern Uganda (JICA) • Demonstrating ecosystem service values in Africa (TESSA)

6.4. Membership status: Membership numbers had slowly grown over the years, however the

subscription and renewal rates are still low. NU only raised Shs 3,580,000= in 2013 lower than

in the previous years. He suggested a need for appropriate mechanisms on improving

subscriptions, collections of renewals and servicing of members.

Categories and growth trends: He described the membership growth trend as positive but

pointed out the need to recruit more of cooperate members who would strengthen the funding

base. He cited the membership growth figures as having grown from 2849 to 3,152 indicating a

9% growth. He said that annual subscriptions only contribute to 0.3% of the annual income for

NatureUganda.

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• Student – 1775 • Full – 809 • Family – 497 • Institution - 26 • Corporate – 45

6.5 Summary of Audited Financial statement for the year ended 2013 (see appendix); Total

income = 2,279,077,581=, Total Expenditure = 2,133,673,939=, Fund balance as at 31st

December 2013 = 739,454,095=

6.7 Summary Projected income for the year 2013: Opening balance as at 1st January 2014 =

739,454,095=; Total projected income as at 31st December 2013 = 2,722,154,095=

Investments Safaricom shares = 16,670,840=; Investments – NU land = 91,700,000=; Total

investments = 108,370,840=

6.8 Capital /Fixed Assets. The treasurer informed the members that NU owns 2 plots of Private

Mailo land Block 397 – plots 722 and 723 measuring 0.37 and 0.38 ha respectively, at Bweya

Lutembe Busiro County near Entebbe. He mentioned the need to raise funds for constructing a

NatureUganda Home. The treasurer said that the proceeds from the shares in Safaricom will be

put into construction of the NU Home

6.8 Development of proposals; the society has submitted more funding applications as outlined below. a) Sustainable Natural Resources Management in IBAs (CISU) USD 627,520 b) Biodiversity conservation around Kashoya Kitomi forest USD 10,000 c) Natural Resource management in Kyambura Wildlife reserve USD 10,000 d) Enhancing local action for site management around L. Victoria Catchments USD 250,000 6.9 Conclusion: The Treasurer mentioned the concern of sustainability since most projects had and or were coming to an end. He therefore suggested a need to exploit more funding opportunities through strategic partnerships and also using the membership in fundraising drives so that we widen our funding base. 6.10 Adoption of the reports: A member, Honorable Kigyagi, moved a motion to adopt the Chairman’s report and Treasurer’s report. He was seconded. The two reports were then adopted by acclamation which marked the end of the business meeting. Min 7/22/AGM Election of the Vice chairman and 2 Executive Committee members

7.1 The Chairman made highlights on the constitutional provisions of the elections procedures.

He led the members into electing a Returning Officer for the day as is stipulated in the

constitution.

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7.2 Election of the Returning Officer – Mr. Richard Nyenje was unanimously elected as the

day’s Returning Office. He too, accepted the role.

7.2.1 The post of vice Chairman; the Returning Officer announced that the secretariat had

received only two nomination for the post. The two nominations were Dr. Robert Kityo and Dr.

Arthur Mugisha. Dr. Kityo was absent with apologies. Only paid up members were allowed to

vote using the availed cards. Members voted and the results were as shown:

• Dr. Mugisha Arthur got 18 votes while Dr Kityo Robert got 14 votes. The Returning Officer

declared Dr Arthur Mugisha the winner of the election.

7.2.2 The post committee members; the Returning Officer announced that the secretariat had

received 3 nominees, viz Dr. Anne Akol, Mr. Polycarp Mwima, and Ms. Sara Kaweesa. Voting

was conducted by the Returning Officer. The results were as indicated below:

Name No. of Votes garnered

Mr. Polycarp Mwima 30

Ms. Sarah Kaweesa 24

Dr. Annah Akol 4

Action: The Returning Officer declared Polycarp Mwima and Ms Sarah Kaweesa the elected

committee members. He invited the elected EC members to take their seats, which they

obliged. The Returning Officer announced that the EC was duly elected during this 22nd AGM.

Dr. Arthur Mugisha, Mr. Polycarp Mwima and Ms Sarah Kaweesa thanked the members for

electing them and promised to serve with diligence.

Min 8/ 22/ AGM Appointment of Auditors 1.1 With a Constitutional Provision that audit firm should not audit for more than 3

consecutive years which Garry and Knight Audit Firm had already served, they were not eligible for appointment. However, members noted that there was insufficient time accorded to new audit firms to apply.

Action: A unanimous decision was reached to offer Garry and Knight an extension of ONLY one year (up to 31st December 2014), and then adverts be placed for new firms to apply. The resolution of the AGM on extending the service of Garry and Knight for one year was unanimously accepted by the members.

Closure: The chairman wished the members mercy journeys back home and then invited the members to refreshments. He then closed the meeting at 7.35 pm.

Summary Actions:

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1. Approval of previous minutes: The Previous Minutes were therefore, confirmed as a true record of what had transpired in the previous meeting. The chairman signed them.

2. Membership fees: and renewals: Membership fees were not revised. Members resolved to among other means use Mobile Money Tel Number 0777147367 based at the secretariat.

3. Adoption of Chairman’s Annual Report: A member moved a motion to adopt the Chairman’s Annual Report. It was seconded. Members adopted it by acclamation.

4. Adoption of the Treasurer’s report: A member moved a motion to adopt the Treasurer’s Report and Budget. He was seconded. The Report and Budget were adopted by acclamation. This then marked the end of the business meeting.

5. Appointment of auditors: A unanimous decision was reached to offer Garry and Knight an extension of ONLY one year (up to 31st December 2014), and then adverts be placed for new firms to apply. The resolution of the AGM on extending the service of Garry and Knight for one year was unanimously accepted by the members.

APPENDICES:

Appendix 1 Financial Statements for NatureUganda

31st December 2013 (Sh)

31st December 2012 (Sh)

Income Note Page

Grant Income 3 (9) 1,690,538,506 1,691,395,628

Other income 4 (9) 584,959,075 517,922,863

Membership income 5 (9) 3,580,000 5,545,000

2,279,077,581 2,214,863,491

Expenditures

Programme Activities 6 (9) 1,338,244,122 1,293,414,706

Administrative costs 7 (10) 7,95,429,817 636,253,743

Total Expenditure 2,133,673,939 1,929,668,449

Surplus/ (Deficit) of Income expenditure 145,403,642 285,195,042

Fund balance as at 1st January 595,595,280 310,402,038

Prior Year Adjustment (1,544,827) (1800)

Fund balance as at 31st December 739,454,095 595,595,280

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Notes Page 31st December 2013 (Sh)

31st December 2012 (Sh)

Assets

Bank and Cash 9 10 649,572,457 421,367,056

Other accounts receivables 10 10 91,752,647 176,099,233

741,325,104 597,099,289

Fund balance and liabilities

Accumulated fund balance 8 10 739,454,095 595,595,280

Accounts payable 11 10 1,871,009 1,871,009

741,325,104 597,466,289

The financial statements on pages 5 -7 were approved by the management on 6 and were

signed on its behalf by: Executive Committee members (see true copy)

Appendix 2 – Statement of cash flow

Statement of cash flow as at 31st December 2012

31st December 2013 (Sh)

31st December 2012 (Sh)

Surplus / (Deficit) of expenditure over income 145,403,642 285,195,042

Prior year adjustment (1,544,827) (1,800)

Changes in working capital

Increase /(Decrease) in cash and Cash Equivalent 84,346,586 (76,616,296)

- (381,864)

Cash used in activities 228,205,401 208,195,082

Movement in cash and cash equivalent

Increase /(Decrease) in cash and Cash Equivalent 228,205,401 208,195,082

As at 1st January 421,367,057 213,171,975

Increase /(Decrease) in cash and Cash Equivalent 228,205,401 208,195,082

As at 31st December 649,572,458 421,367,057

Appendix 3 Attendance List

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No. NAME ORGANISATION EMAIL ADDRESS TEL. NUMBER

1 Akule Geofrey Nature Uganda geofrey.akule@natureuganda.org

0772541846

2 Joel Wako Nature Uganda joel.wako@natureuganda.org

0759059695

3 Arthur Mugisha

Flora and Fauna

International mugisha.arthur@gmail.com 077663980

4 Tamale Denny N.U.Must tamaledenny@yahoo.com

0775966289

5 Mwesigwa Bruce AREA-UG brucemwesigwa@yahoomail.com

0779791509

6 Mark Sinabulya Africa Revealed sinamark@africarevealed.ug

0712939968

7 Sara Kaweesa Arocha UG sara.kaweesa@arocha.org

0712084444

8 David magulse M.U.U. davidmagulse@hotmail.com

0781538869

9 Polycarp Mwisma Makerere pmwisma@gmail.com

0772600877

10 Kalfesi Jackie Makerere jakaitg@gmail.com

0783586599

11 Nyandi David Let’s go Travel

07754996420

12 Otimong John Richard Balibaseka S.S. rotimony@yahoo.com

0772604930

13 Pere Emmanuel

Accolade

Fxplorers accolade.explorers@gmail.com

0793228222

14 Andima Moses

Busitema

University andima@moses@gmail.com 0777058371

15 Mukasa Joseph Makerere josephmukasa7@gmail.com

0704774666

16 Mbabazi Esther N.U.Kabale esther.mbabazi@natureuganda.org

0777336753

17 Bukanya Ibrahim Star F.M.

0701864714

18 Mutekanga Winfred UBC mutekangawinfred@yahoo.com

0703621945

19 Nakago UBC

0702640243

20 Kenneth Sseguya Nature Uganda keneth.sseguya@natureuganda.org

0797716990

21 Kasasa Hannington SSG Mabamba mabamba_shoebill@yahoo.com

0782945785

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22 Zeneb Musiimire Nature Uganda zeneb.musiimire@natureuganda.org

0702937272

23 Kyasiimire Penninah Nature Uganda

0779674736

24 Paul Mafabi MWE pamafabi@yahoo.co.uk

0772503255

25 Aboda Micheal Gulu University abodamicheal@gmail.com

0782365561

26 Michael Opige Nature Uganda opigem@yahoo.com

0772126126

27 Henry Mutabaazi Nature Uganda henry.mutabaazi@natureuganda.org

0772480186

28 Seriziynn Ronald USAGA/NU srki.romie@gmail.com

0751543139

29 Nyenje Richard RIFASHINE Ltd rnyenje@gmail.com

0712595633

30 Isaac Kiirya Nature Uganda ikiirya@gmail.com

0775923878

31 Nanyonga Eve Nature Uganda eve.nanyonga@natureuganda.org

0774171864

32 Byanwkass Dm Polop

0791666455

33 Ivan Zizinga NU western ivanzizinga@gmail.com

0785437960

34 Musana W. Museum

0788573051

35 Alemu Sokunu IUIU Mbale shaalemia@yahoo.com

0700325352

36 Dianah Nalwanga Nature Uganda dianah.nalwanga@natureuganda.org

0772929626

37 Ssozi Andrew Nature Uganda andrew.ssozi@natureuganda.org

0753912888

38 Jean Skeen L.U.hub kampalajean@yahoo.co.uk

0789689176

39 Namukasa Percis Irene Makerere mpercis@gmail.com

0783582279

40 Babirye Bridget Makerere babiryeprita@gmail.com

0778815327

41 James Kalema Makerere jkalema@botany.mak.ac.ug

0772945963

42 Esezah Kakuddi Makerere esezahk@gmail.com

0712929254

43 Balibaseka S.S. Balibuseka S.S.

0772954612

44 Roger Q Skeen Nature Uganda skeenlbo@yajhoo.co.uk

0789689172

45 Bakole Sowed AIDB

0702404607

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46 Otar Jamy

jamy.otar@yahoo.com 0773430592

47 Kavuma Kevin UCDF

0701405550

48 Fred Alaru Nature Uganda alaru2008@yahoo.com

0782096026

49 Kigyagi Arimaj Presidents office kigyagi@yahoo.com

0772482528

50 Rogers Niwamanya Nature Uganda rogers.niwamanya@natureuganda.org

0772855889

51 Okiee Sinon Peter Director

0777225112

52 Phionah Mwesige Nature Uganda phionah85@yahoo.co.uk

0789702576

53 Atukwaise warison KUEMA watsonkuema@gmail.com

0787818132

54 Pauline Kalunda ECOTRUST

0772743662

55 Massanga Reginer UMWA massangar@yahoo.com

0712199887

56 Mugisher Sean MLS dmnkoba@yahoo.com

0792470581

57 Mfitundinda Henry NU Kabale henry.mfitundinda@natureuganda.org

0772591343

58 Atuhaire Pius KUEMA puisatuhaire@gmail.co

0703462387

59 Sandra Sayuni Nature Uganda sandra.sayuni@natureuganda.org

0782537476

60 Jimmy Muheebwa Nature Uganda jimmy.muheebwa@natureuganda.org

0772550177