WetNews

Monthly publication -Dec. 2020

Project Steering Committee discusses project progress

The Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystem and Associated Catchments in Uganda project met to review progress, consider planned interventions and provide strategic level guidance aimed at enhancing project delivery. This was with the objective of increasing the level of benefit for communities voluntarily leaving the wetlands, as well as ensuring enhanced functions from wetland and the adjacent catchment, once rehabilitated and restored, amidst the looming climate change impacts. Project Steering Committee (PSC) was constituted as the highest decision making body to provide oversight during the project period. To date the PSC has met 6 times.
Speaking at Wash and Wills Hotel in Mbale, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr. Alfred Okidi Okot said although considerable achievements have been registered, more emphasis should be placed on helping communities realise better alternative livelihoods, thus equipping them with the ability to overcome any climate change related impacts.

Okidi, who chairs the Project Steering Committee (PSC), notes that the provision of alternative livelihoods has proven efficient in influencing behaviours of wetland users. “Ugandans need these interventions more than ever, given the changes being experienced locally and globally. Our focus as a Ministry and Government is to ensure that we improve the lives of these communities and other indirect beneficiaries. We must support communities to clearly understand how critical it is for us to sustainably utilise wetlands as well as the land they depend on for life sustenance,” Okidi observed.
The Project Steering Committee is constituted by Permanent Secretaries from Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Executive Director, National Environment Management Authority, National Forest Authority, Executive Director, Uganda National Meteorological Authority, and Executive Director, Uganda Wild Life Authority.

Government demarcates 87km of Kyenzogyera – Mushasha wetland

Government has demarcated 87 Kilometers of Kyenzogyera – Mushasha wetland in Buhweju district as part of the implementation of the Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystem and Associated Catchments in Uganda project funded by Government of Uganda (GoU), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Ag. Director Environmental Affairs, Collins Olaya launched the exercise that saw at least 279 (181males and 98 females) community members consulted and sensitised. According to Daniel Businge, the Regional Wetland Coordinator for South Western Uganda communities have embraced the project and are very willing to change the way they utilise wetlands.

“Sustainable wetlands management in the country generally, and Buhweju district in particular, requires combined efforts by all stakeholders at all levels. District Local Governments under the decentralised systems of governance should fully manage wetland systems under their jurisdictions as stated under the Local Government Act 1998, and the National Environment Act 2019, since demarcation is being undertaken to clearly delineate the boundaries of the wetland,” he noted. He further adds that Illegal activities, unlawful developments, introduction of exotic plant species and draining of wetlands should be prohibited at all times if the country is to reverse the increasing climate change impacts.

Nyamuhizi wetland restored

“ It is possible that communities will soon start enjoying market and non-tangibles benefits if only..."

Residents of Mitoma District will soon start enjoying benefits of the wetland ecosystems once Nyamuhizi wetland is allowed to fully regenerate. Nyamuhizi wetland was previously under threat due to heavy human activities and it is being restored under the GCF wetland restoration project.
While launching the restoration exercise, Ms Lucy Iyango, Assistant Commissioner Wetlands, said the benefits that include market and non-market can only accrue to community members if they allow the wetland to fully regenerate.

“ It is possible that communities will soon start enjoying market benefits like; water for domestic use of livestock, support to dry season agriculture, provision of handicrafts, building materials and food resources such as fish, yams, vegetables, wild game and medicine, if the wetland fully regains its natural state. There are also non-tangible benefits such as flood control, purification of water, and maintenance of the water table, microclimate moderation and storm protection,” Iyango, said.
She observed that wetlands also serve as habitats for important flora and fauna, have aesthetic and heritage values, and contain stocks of biodiversity of potentially high pharmaceutical value. During the restoration exercise replanting of native wetland plant species such as papyrus and sedges in exhaustively degraded sections that may not easily naturally regenerate in the near future was undertaken

Ngora wetland users tipped for double shift in income

The sky is clear. The weather is hot. Some community members are busy going about their daily chores. Others are gathered under a huge mango tree with a cool breeze seemingly suggesting they are taking refuge from the scorching heat. Its 1:00pm.
Members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) have just arrived at Agu village, Ngora Sub County, in Ngora district where the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Uganda Meteorological Authority is implementing the eight year the Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda Project. Mr. Stephen Mugabi, the Commissioner, Department of Environment Support Services, led Members of the Project Steering Committee on a field visit as a precursor to the Project Steering Committee meeting that took place on the 9^th December 2020 at Wash and Wills Hotel in Mbale.
Ms Naume Ariebi, the Vice Chairperson, Ngora District Local Government in her welcome remarks expressed gratitude to Government for selecting Ngora District Local Government as part of the benefiting districts. She was impressed further by the project objectives and convinced her that people would definitely attain improved livelihoods. To her, there is no need for communities to dillydally in embracing the project since it is what they actually need to change their livelihoods. She informed the team that communities programmes could only succeed when transparency, accountability and project ownership form the building block, other than that suspicion and intrigue would lead to total failure. She assured the team of the support from Ngora District Local Government Leadership and called on regular interactions so that progress is easily followed through.
“Government is emphasising that we use the wetlands wisely to benefit everybody. To say that Government is taking away land from you is a political statement. Those who are saying so are promoting their selfish interests whilst they destroy you. Open the doors of your heart. Receive this project and sustain it after the donors are long gone. This is what we need as a community for us to be able to improve livelihoods,” Ariebi emphatically said while rallying support for the project.

"Community can earn such income twice, meaning that the annual income for the benefiting communities is estimated at shs 172million. This is considerably high income compared to what they previously received from rice growing"

Ariebi’s remark is well received. Community members can be seen nodding their heads in agreement, with some indicating high expectations they already have in respect of the project aspirations.
According to them, the Government decision to include them as beneficiaries was an affirmation of its determination to get them out of poverty. Mugabi, on behalf of the team hailed the community for accepting the project.
Over 300 community members are expected to benefit from the irrigation scheme, fish farming and other alternative livelihoods being provided under the project. Specifically, Ngora will receive five fish ponds and a mini irrigation scheme (sitting a five acres of land), two cattle troughs for watering livestock, VIP latrine for hygiene and sanitation, store (keep produce from the irrigation scheme) an Office for the scheme managers, and a cold storage facility (for preserving fish and vegetables). There is a plan to develop Ecotourism. The project is a replication of Limoto wetland wise use demonstration site.
According to Charles Obero, the Principal Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) three ponds have already been constructed and are ready for stalking, while two more are under construction. Three ponds have the capacity to hold up to 21000 fish (approximately 11 tons of fish).
Obero, further estimates that in every season, the communities are expected to earn Uganda shillings 88 million. Community can earn such income twice, meaning that the annual income for the benefiting communities is estimated at shs 172million. This is considerably high income compared to what they previously received from rice growing.

Government increases farmers’ resilience to climate change

Community members voluntarily leaving wetlands and adopting improved farming practices will now be able to mitigate effects of climate change following the construction and installation of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). The Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchment in Uganda project being implemented in the 24 districts of Eastern and South Western Uganda is supporting the initiative.

The project plans to construct and install 25 weather stations. One AWS is fully installed and serving farmers in Mbale district. The construction and installation of the remaining AWS is ongoing. With this facility in place, farmers can now access weather information they need to make informed decisions for improved and increased production.

Copyright © 2020 GCFwetland restoration project, All rights reserved.
Ministry of Water and Environment

Our mailing address is:
Plot 21/28 Portbell Road, Luzira,
P.O Box 20026, Kampala, Uganda
Tel 256 414 505942
www.mwe.go.ug
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Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments project in Uganda · Luzira, Kampala · Kampala · Uganda