Nabwami Erone Purity Mukiibi, Program Assistant Community Mobilization Support and Liaison at Regenerate Africa (PHOTO/Courtesy).
KAMPALA – The Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Water Resources Institute (WRI), aimed at promoting sustainable socioeconomic transformation in Uganda. Since its launch in 2018, UWEWK has served as a platform for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and dialogue to improve the country’s water and environmental resources. The event has attracted high-level participation from political leaders, local governments, religious and cultural institutions, and other national and international stakeholders.
So far, seven successful UWEWK events have been held, fostering collaboration among sector professionals, the private sector, civil society organizations, and academics. The 8th edition, UWEWK2025, will be held from March 17th to 21st, with the theme “Water and Environment Resources for Enhanced Resilience and Improved Incomes and Livelihoods.” The event will commemorate International Forest Day (March 21), World Water Day (March 22), and World Meteorological Day (March 23). UWEWK2025 will focus on reviewing the outcomes and recommendations from these global observances and their relevance to Uganda’s water and environmental management efforts. As UWEWK 2025 begins, it’s clear that Uganda’s environmental challenges can no longer be addressed with conventional approaches. Ecosystem degradation is worsening, and traditional methods are insufficient. To repair and restore what has been damaged, we must shift to regenerative practices that focus on healing ecosystems, improving resilience, and enhancing food security and livelihoods.
The global environmental crisis is intensifying, with Uganda not exempt from the rising challenges of climate change. Erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and flooding, threaten natural resources and livelihoods. Vulnerable communities, especially farmers, women, and children, are disproportionately affected by these changes. For instance, erratic rainfall and recurring droughts have reduced crop productivity, leading to food insecurity especially in regions like Karamoja and Eastern Uganda. Recurrent droughts have also led to livestock loss, exacerbating poverty. Forests are rapidly depleting, with 200,000 hectares lost annually (Uganda National Forestry Authority’s (NFA) State of the Forests Report), exacerbating flooding and landslides leaving many people displaced especially those leaving in mountainous areas like Bududa. Water sources are also under threat, leading to waterborne diseases that affect millions, particularly in rural and urban slum areas. These environmental impacts disrupt agriculture, damage infrastructure like roads, bridges, hospitals schools among others and isolate communities from vital services, deepening poverty and vulnerability. Urgent action is needed to build resilience, protect natural resources, and ensure sustainable development for Uganda’s most vulnerable populations.
The Government of Uganda, alongside numerous partners, has taken significant strides to address these challenges. Under the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and other stakeholders, efforts are underway to improve water supply and sanitation, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. The National Forestry Authority (NFA) continues to advocate for forest protection and restoration, implementing policies aimed at reforestation and combating deforestation. Uganda’s climate action plan, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), primarily focuses on adaptation, aiming to build resilience in sectors like agriculture, water, energy, and health, which are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. The plan includes specific initiatives for climate-resilient agriculture, forest restoration, improved water management, and infrastructure development. The focus is to enhance the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, particularly in rural areas, through climate-smart practices and technologies, thereby ensuring long-term environmental sustainability and resilience to climate-related challenges.
However, despite these efforts, there remains a gap in scaling these solutions to match the growing needs and demands for advancing climate change resilience. This is where organizations like Regenerate Africa play a crucial role. By focusing on regenerative practices and sustainability, Regenerate Africa is accelerating Africa’s transition to a regenerative economy, where people, businesses, and our planet thrive in harmony.
Regenerate Africa is actively working to address these pressing challenges by creating community awareness in respect to adoption of regenerative practices, that promote regeneration, sustainable water and environmental management. Our work, particularly in Buikwe and Luwero districts, in the Lake Victoria basin focuses on demonstrating the power of regenerative agriculture and environmental restoration. Through our Ecosystem Regeneration and Sustainability Centres, we provide hands-on training for local farmers, especially women and youth, teaching them how to integrate sustainable techniques into their daily lives.
At our regenerative demonstration farms, we practice and teach agroforestry, rotational grazing, and soil health enhancement methods that restore the land, conserve water, and increase agricultural productivity. These techniques not only boost food security but also restore biodiversity and improve soil moisture retention, which is critical for climate resilience. By educating farmers on rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, and soil moisture conservation, we ensure they can make the most of the limited water resources available to them. This knowledge equips them to build more resilient farming systems that are adaptable to the changing climate. As Namutebi Sylivia the LC 2 Women Representative of Zzitwe Parish Quotes: “These sustainable practices have transformed our community. Before the trainings, many of us struggled to manage our land and water resources effectively. But after learning about regenerative practices, the impact has been remarkable. Our soil is healthier, crops are more productive, and the water we have is used more efficiently. These changes have also empowered women, like myself, to share this knowledge and lead the way in sustainable farming practices across our community.”
Through these training programs, we’re fostering a deep understanding of how water and environmental management can be integrated into farming practices. These practices are not just about preserving the environment they also contribute to increased productivity, reduced environmental degradation, and improved livelihoods. By promoting regenerative agriculture, we are actively combating climate change while also enhancing food security and creating sustainable local economies.
The rising temperatures and extreme weather events that Uganda is experiencing such as prolonged heatwaves and erratic rainfall are symptoms of a broader global climate crisis. These warming temperatures are affecting our ecosystems, causing water shortages, and disrupting agricultural systems. The causes of these changes are multifaceted, from deforestation to unsustainable agricultural practices and greenhouse gas emissions.
At Regenerate Africa, we are tackling these challenges head-on through comprehensive landscape restoration efforts. Our focus on the restoration of degraded lands and the protection of wetlands plays a crucial role in stabilizing local microclimates, improving water retention, and enhancing carbon sequestration. We actively involve local communities in our restoration initiatives, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to restore their environment while also benefiting from it. Through our agroforestry programs, we not only restore forests but also provide communities with a sustainable source of food, fuel, and income, thereby promoting both environmental and economic resilience.
The involvement of communities is central to our approach, as they are not only the primary beneficiaries but also the stewards of these restoration efforts. We work closely with farmers, local leaders, and community-based organizations to ensure that the restoration activities align with the needs and priorities of the people who depend on these lands. Furthermore, we collaborate with key actors such as local government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to ensure the success and scalability of our landscape restoration projects. By fostering strong partnerships and building local capacity, we are not only helping Uganda mitigate and adapt to climate change but also ensuring that these solutions are sustainable for future generations.
Through our partnership with Wine to Water, we are also addressing the water crisis in vulnerable communities of Buikwe district specifically Ssi Bukunja Sub-County, benefiting two parishes comprising of 8 Villages with the plan of scaling up to cover the whole subcounty, the district and to other districts. By distributing water filters, we are reducing the need for boiling water, thus preventing waterborne diseases and decreasing the pressure on forests for firewood. This initiative also empowers women and girls, who traditionally bear the burden of collecting firewood and boiling water, with more time for education and economic activities. It’s a powerful example of how addressing environmental issues can also contribute to gender equality and improve overall community health and well-being.
The challenges facing our water and environment are vast, but they are not unconquerable. As Uganda prepares for UWEWK 2025, we must seize this opportunity to take bold, actionable steps toward sustainable environmental management and climate action.
? To address Uganda’s environmental challenges and climate change impacts effectively, we urge the line ministries to integrate climate change adaptation and water conservation strategies into national and sectoral budgets. Ministries should scale up climate-smart agricultural practices, such as rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems, and support ecosystem restoration initiatives. Additionally, strengthening collaboration with vulnerable communities—especially farmers, women, youth, and local leaders—through community-based approaches will ensure the successful implementation of these strategies, enhancing resilience and fostering sustainable development at the grassroots level.
? CSOs should continue advocating for the integration of climate change and water conservation strategies into national policies, working with communities to raise awareness, provide technical support, and facilitate capacity-building programs. Engaging local populations in advocacy and decision-making will help ensure that their needs and challenges are reflected in national policy frameworks and development strategies.
? The private sector must play an active role in driving sustainable solutions to Uganda’s water and environmental challenges. By fostering public-private partnerships, businesses can invest in innovative technologies and sustainable practices in agriculture, water management, and ecosystem restoration. These partnerships should prioritize the development of scalable solutions that benefit local communities and contribute to long-term climate resilience.
? Academic institutions should contribute to advancing climate change adaptation and water conservation by conducting research and providing evidence-based solutions for Uganda’s environmental challenges. Through research, innovation, and the development of new technologies, academia can help shape effective policies and strategies that support sustainable development and resilience in both rural and urban communities.
The Uganda Water and Environment Week 2025 is a critical moment to reflect on our achievements and redouble our efforts. At Regenerate Africa, we believe that by integrating regenerative practices into farming, water management, and forestry, we can build a more sustainable, resilient future for Uganda. We are committed to continuing our work and scaling our efforts to reach more communities, empower more individuals, and restore more ecosystems.
Let us all play our part in creating a peaceful and sustainable future, where water and environmental resources are managed equitably and efficiently, and where climate action is a collective responsibility. As we work toward these goals, let us take inspiration from the success stories emerging from our communities and support each other in building a climate-resilient Uganda.
The writer, Nabwami Erone Purity Mukiibi, Program Assistant Community Mobilization Support and Liaison at Regenerate Africa
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