On March 30 2026, at the Community Green Radio premises in Kiboga District, central Uganda, the National Association of Professional Environmentalists, NAPE launched the Forests and Wetlands restoration Promotion program.
The Program is aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, promoting sustainable land use practices and enhancing community resilience to climate change according to David Kureeba, the Senior Programmes Coordinator Forests, Biodiversity and Climate Change at NAPE.
The Program will entail activities of tree planting, wetland restoration and environmental education in communities, learning institutions and on radio.
The launch was characterized by speeches calling for action especially tree planning accompanied by justification of the same. Lists of the benefits of tree planning were outlined by every speaker who got chance at the microphone.
“We need more trees to regulate our climate, protect our water sources and support agriculture. Without trees, we are exposing ourselves to drought, floods and soil erosion”: Henry Lubanjwa, the Assistant Resident district commissioner, RDC (Presidents representative in the district) for Kiboga explained at the event.
Buganda Kingdom representative at the function, the Sabawaali for Kapeke Parish, Mr. Johbosco Ssenyondo reechoed quite similar calls;
“We have a responsibility to protect our environment for future generations. Let’s work together to restore our forests and wetlands”, Ssenyondo said.
Well, these calls for action look more general to communities, leaders and other stakeholders. However, when looked at critically, the devastating consequences of failure to protect and conserve the environment falls on the home and the woman, traditionally, at least African, is the guardian of a homestead. This implicitly and explicitly implies she bears the most burdens of climate change and its effects.
Climate change acts as a risk multiplier, disproportionately affecting women, who often bear the brunt of environmental disasters due to existing gender inequalities.
Climate change Increases women’s Vulnerability to Disasters. Women and children are up to 14 times more likely to die during climate-induced disasters, partly due to restricted mobility and lack of access to early warning information. Most women are in rural areas and are under strict control and restriction of their husbands and thus chances of getting exposed to certain information are minimal or tending towards none.
Climate change is responsible for long periods of drought and excessively heavy rains the lead to food insecurity. Women face higher rates of food insecurity, with projections suggesting climate change could cause 47.8 million more women to face hunger compared to men. By 2050, 158 million more women and girls could be pushed into poverty, 16 million more than men and boys.
Extreme heat, pollution, and water scarcity increase health risks. Vector-borne diseases like malaria and Zika rise with temperatures, leading to higher rates of miscarriage, premature birth, and maternal complications.
As water and fuel become scarcer, women and girls must walk further to collect them, decreasing time for education and economic opportunities.
Disasters and displacement increase the risks of sexual violence and exploitation in crowded, unsafe, or temporary shelters. Drought-related economic stress is directly linked to higher rates of intimate partner violence.
Displacement and Education. Approximately 80% of people displaced by climate change are women and girls. In these contexts, young girls are often forced into early marriage, with 12 million girls married annually, a trend exacerbated by climate-driven poverty.
The aforementioned factors bring clearly into perspective the need for women to be involved in all efforts aimed at curbing climate change. Women are critical to climate action. Their unique,, localized knowledge regarding farming, seed storage, and resource management makes them key to building resilience in their communities. Investing in female empowerment and ensuring their representation in climate policies is considered essential to successful climate adaptation and mitigating the worst impacts of the crisis.
Forest Restoration & Wetland Promotion Program Is a community-based environmental initiative focused on reversing land degradation while promoting the value and sustainable use of natural ecosystems. It’s also a coordinated set of activities that do bring back trees and ecological health to degraded, deforested, or bare land. Wetland Promotion – Protecting existing wetlands and restoring damaged ones, while educating people on why wetlands matter for water, climate, and livelihoods. Forests and wetlands work together as a water system. Forests on hillsides slow rainwater, reduce erosion, and recharge groundwater. Wetlands in valleys filter that water, store it, and release it slowly into the aquifers.
Uganda loses approximately 122,000 hectares of forest land annually, with forest cover decreasing from 24% in the 1990s to roughly 13% recently. This is largely caused by Unregulated Logging and Timber Demand, Urbanization and Infrastructure Expansion, Weak Governance & Land Tenure Issues, Biomass Energy Demand, High Population Growth & Poverty, Agricultural Expansion among others.
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, with approximately 35% of global wetlands lost between 1970 and 2015. Driven by agricultural expansion, urbanization, and climate change, this rapid degradation threatens biodiversity and reduces critical carbon sinks, with the highest rates of loss occurring in developing nations. Nearly a quarter of remaining wetlands are in poor ecological condition. In Uganda, wetland coverage declined from roughly 15.5% in 1994 to approximately 8.9%–9.3% in 2024–2025. The major trends and drivers include; Rapid Urban and Industrial growth, encroachment, Institutional and Legal Weaknesses. Wetlands and forests don’t work in isolation. Their environmental services work in complementarity.
Communities in Kiboga and Kyankwanzi districts are being argued to plant more trees if they are to keep their environment safe and healthy.
Henry Lubanjwa, the Assistant Resident district commissioner, RDC (Presidents representative in the district) for Kiboga says trees protect the environment but also offer other benefits of providing shades, soil conservation and improved air quality.
“We need more trees to regulate our climate, protect our water sources and support agriculture. Without trees, we are exposing ourselves to drought, floods and soil erosion,” the President’s representative explained.
Mr. Lubanjwa made the remarks while officiating as chief guest at the launch of the Forests and Wetlands Restoration Promotion Program held at the office of the Community Green Radio in Kiboga District at the end of last month.
The launch was organized by the National Association of Professional environmentalists, NAPE and attracted a host of local leaders from the districts, technical staff, cultural leaders and staff from the African Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, AIBIS. AIBIS are partners with NAPE in the implementation of the Sustainable Conservation of Nabakazi Wetland Ecosystem for Carbon Sequestration Enhanced Household Food Security and Improved Community Livelihoods in Coffee Producing District of Mubende.
Prominent at the launch were AIBIS Executive Director, Allan Kalangi, Kiboga Town Council Chairperson Henry Kagali, Kiboga district agriculture Officer Bugembe Musa Ssegujja, Kiboga District Forestry Officer Ms. Margret Nanyonga and the district Police commander Jjingo Julius.
Buganda Kingdom representative at the function, the Sabawaali for Kapeke Parish, Mr. Johbosco Ssenyondo called on the communities to take an active role in environmental conservation by planting and taking care of trees in their homes, schools and public places.
“We have a responsibility to protect our environment for future generations. Let’s work together to restore our forests and wetlands”, Ssenyondo said.
Kiboga town council Chairperson Henry Kagali revealed how some business people are largely responsible for the continued degrading of the environment through clearing forests and reclaiming wetlands. He underscored the need to collectively deal with the perpetrators.
“We need to hold accountable those who cut down trees without permission and destroy our wetlands. We need to work together to protect our environment”, Kagali said.
The Executive Director at AIBIS, Allan Kalangi expressed optimism that their partnership with NAPE in the implementation of the project will yield fruit given that the two organizations are grounded in communities and both have experience in this work.
“NAPE and AIBIS are two organizations with immense experience in conservation work and that will be vital in the implementation of this project. Secondly, the two organizations have a long history of working with communities and that is key in the implementation process”, Mr. Kalangi explained.
David Kureeba, The Senior Program Coordinator Forests, Biodiversity and Climate Change at NAPE explained that Forests and Wetlands Restoration Promotion Program is aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, promote sustainable land use practices and enhance community resilience to climate change.
He added that the program will involve tree planting, wetland restoration, and environmental education.
“We will work with communities to establish tree nurseries, plant trees and maintain them. We will also support communities to develop sustainable land use plans and implement climate-smart agriculture practices,” Kureeba said.
Mr. Kureeba said the Community Green Radio will play a central role in creating awareness but also will act as a platform for debate on how best forests can be restored and wetlands promoted.
The launch climaxed with a tree-planting ceremony at Community Green Radio, symbolizing the start of a new chapter in environmental conservation.
Forest Restoration & Wetland Promotion Program Is a community-based environmental initiative focused on reversing land degradation while promoting the value and sustainable use of natural ecosystems. It’s also a coordinated set of activities that do bring back trees and ecological health to degraded, deforested, or bare land. Wetland Promotion – Protecting existing wetlands and restoring damaged ones, while educating people on why wetlands matter for water, climate, and livelihoods. Forests and wetlands work together as a water system. Forests on hillsides slow rainwater, reduce erosion, and recharge groundwater. Wetlands in valleys filter that water, store it, and release it slowly into the aquifers.
Uganda loses approximately 122,000 hectares of forest land annually, with forest cover decreasing from 24% in the 1990s to roughly 13% recently. This is largely caused by Unregulated Logging and Timber Demand, Urbanization and Infrastructure Expansion, Weak Governance & Land Tenure Issues, Biomass Energy Demand, High Population Growth & Poverty, Agricultural Expansion among others.
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, with approximately 35% of global wetlands lost between 1970 and 2015. Driven by agricultural expansion, urbanization, and climate change, this rapid degradation threatens biodiversity and reduces critical carbon sinks, with the highest rates of loss occurring in developing nations. Nearly a quarter of remaining wetlands are in poor ecological condition. In Uganda, wetland coverage declined from roughly 15.5% in 1994 to approximately 8.9%–9.3% in 2024–2025. The major trends and drivers include; Rapid Urban and Industrial growth, encroachment, Institutional and Legal Weaknesses. Wetlands and forests don’t work in isolation. Their environmental services work in complementarity.
STORY COMPILED BY SSENKOOMI GERALD AND KYAMANYWA JULIUS
The EACOP affected people in Hoima district in western part of Uganda expressed their concerns with deep disappointment and sense of betrayal, as politicians who once promised to tackle their issues now appear unresponsive and unaccountable.
In our community outreach in Hoima’s EACOP-affected areas in March this year, community members openly expressd disappointment towards their leaders.
Community members revealed that politicians had made promises to address their key issues, including fair compensation, property revaluation, and restoration of land titles, but now they appear completely unphased by their plight.
‘’They promised us that our issues would be addressed promptly once they took office, but so far, we’ve seen no concrete action”, They narrated .
During our discussion, residents revealed that food insecurity is one of the major challenges they face, stemming from restrictions imposed by EACOP that limit them to planting slow-maturing crops like bananas, worsening their food situation .
They revealed that most of the water sources have dried up due to climate change, which they attribute to EACOP’s actions, making water access tough.
Despite all these challenges, residents revealed they have nowhere to run to, since even their elected leaders seem unburdened.
They only hope is now pinned on the government, as they anxiously wait for intervention in these pressing matters.
However the resident district commissioner (RDC) of Hoima Rodgers Mbabazi confirms he’s aware of what the residents are going through and has vowed to collaborate with EACOP officials together with the government to ensure that justice is served.
Delayed compensation remains a significant challenge for communities impacted by EACOP –project.
This was revealed during a community outreach in the EACOP project affected areas of Kyankwanzi, Kikuube and Hoima where residents shared continue to share stories of continued struggle and maneuvers.
Theresa Bamuteze , an 80-year-old woman from Basangazi village, Nabulembeko parish, Kyankwanzi district, shared a heartbreaking story of how she still awaits compensation, despite officials having her properties valued years ago.
Teresa said she’s made numerous visits to EACOP officials, but all she’s told is to wait, leaving her with uncertainty and a sense of being stuck.
“They valued all my land, my plantations but I still haven’t received my money. I’ve got my papers, everything is clear, but I’m still waiting. And when I try to follow up with officials, all I’m told is to wait.” Theresa said.
Theresa has now called on political leaders and the government to intervene in the matter. She’s urging them to step in and help resolve the issue of delayed compensation payments.
She however credited the Community Green Radio and National Association of Professional Environments (NAPE) for their tireless efforts to ensure the community gets justice.
Ssembatya Suleiman, Chairperson Nabulembeko Parish, Kyankwanzi district, stated that most of the residents are still waiting for compensation, while a few who received payments are disputing the amounts and seeking revaluation.
He revealed that he constantly gets complaints from residents about delayed compensation, but when they try to follow up with EACOP officials, they’re told to wait.
Despite numerous complaints from affected residents, EACOP officials have remained silent about the situation and seem to have failed to give the necessary assistance.
The East African Crude oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a mega project that is intended to transport crude oil from Uganda’s Albertine region in Kikuube district western part of Uganda to Tanga port in Tanzania.
The Albertine Journalists’ Platform, in collaboration with National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) and Community Green Radio, organized a media capacity enhancement training “Basics of Reporting and Documenting Stories on EACOP Impacts.
The workshop was held at Atkon Hotel, Kiboga, on Monday, 9th March, with media practitioners from different media houses from the Albertine region such Paradigm FM, KDR FM, KKCR FM, Liberty FM, Spice FM, Kazzi Njema and Community Green Radio, participated.
The workshop was aimed at equiping journalists with the basics of reporting and documenting stories on the impacts of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
John Kibego from Kazzi Njema, who facilitated the training, reminded journalists about the basics of news writing and reporting, stressing the importance of accuracy, balance, fairness, clarity, and timeliness.
He stressed getting both sides of the story before diving in, emphasizing the need for balance and fairness.
Journalists explored the East African Crude Oil Pipeline’s environmental risks, impacted areas, and possible solutions, among other key issues.
Kagali Henry, the guest of honor and Mayor of Kiboga Town Council, thanked the Community, Green Radio and NAPE for hosting such a impactful workshop that equipped journalists with vital skills.
He urged journalists to prioritize fairness and balance in their reporting, ensuring accurate and impartial storytelling.
The Albertine Journalists’ Platform (AJOP) was formed by Community Green Radio in collaboration with National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), aiming to empower journalists from the Albertine region.
It involves media houses such as liberty FM, spice, Paradigm FM, KDR FM, KKCR, Liberty FM, Spice FM, Kazzi Njema and Community Green Radio all from the Albertine region.
The EACOP-affected women are appealing to government of Uganda to revalue their properties because they feel the initial valuation wasn’t fair and that even the cost of living has greatly changed.
The issue was raised during Women’s Day celebrations with EACOP affected women at Community Green Radio in Kiboga Central Uganda.
Over 30 women from EACOP affected districts like Kiboga,Kyankwanzi Mubende ,Hoima and Kikuube shared their struggles at Community Green Radio during Women’s Day celebrations .
Kunihira Edinansi from Lwanda in Kibiga sub county, Kiboga district Central Uganda, appealed to the government to revalue her property, saying the initial valuation was done when the cost of living was relatively low compared to the current situation.
“By the time all my properties were valued in 2018 the cost of living was relatively low and one would easily acquire land,” she said.
Namukisa Peninah from Hoima district, western Uganda also raised the same issue, pleading for government’s intervention in property valuation, given the current economic landscape.
Other issues shared included insecurity, overpopulation, climate change, land grabbing, and a rising crime rate – all attributed to EACOP issues affecting the area.
However, women also shared developmental ideas amongst themselves, like farming, animal rearing, and setting up small businesses, as a way of combating poverty in their homes.
The women expressed gratitude to Community Green Radio for the free space to amplify their voices.
Over 10 districts in Uganda were affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), such as Mubende, Kyankwanzi, Hoima, Kikuube, Sembabuule, Kakumiro, Lwengo, Kyotera, Rakai and Gomba, impacting over 171 villages and displacing thousands as homes were destroyed.
STORY COMPILED BY JOAN NTEZA
The National Association of Professional Environmentalists, and Community Green Radio, joined the global celebration of National Women’s Day 2026, standing in solidarity with EACOP-affected women.
Over 30 EACOP-affected women from Kyankwanzi, Mubende Kiboga, Kikuube and Hoima districts converged at Community Green Radio in Kiboga, Central Uganda, to celebrate the day on March 8.
Under the theme “Balance the Scale for All: Movement Building for Women and Girls”, the women shared development ideas, sparking a wave of collective empowerment.
The EACOP affected women expressed concerns about the impact of the project, citing issues like overpopulation, climate change, insecurity, intermarriages, inadequate compensation and delayed compensation.
Ms.Nabagesera Brenda from Mubende, an EACOP-affected woman, shared her struggles, highlighting the challenge of providing food for her family due to climate change-induced food insecurity.
The women are appealing to local leaders and government to step in and address the pressing issues.
The women thanked the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) for empowering them to advocate for their rights as victims of gender-based violence and environmental injustices.
The women expressed deep gratitude to Community Green Radio for consistently amplifying their voices, showing solidarity, and providing a platform to share their struggles and concerns.
Community Green Radio was formed in 2014 with a mission to amplify the voices of grassroots women, combating gender-based violence and driving transformative positive change in their communities, fostering a culture of solidarity and collective action.
Maize is a staple food and key source of income for households in Ssekamalya Village Kyankwanzi District. However, increasing climate variability characterized by prolonged sunshine, delayed rainfall, and extended dry spell is severely undermining maize production in most parts of the district. Smallholder farmers who depend entirely on rain-fed agriculture are facing rising crop losses and food insecurity.
During the current growing season, farmers experienced extreme moisture stress resulting in poor germination and early crop drying. Some households were forced to cut down immature maize for livestock feed, eliminating prospects for grain harvest or seed saving for the next season.
Residents associate worsening weather conditions with environmental degradation, particularly large-scale tree cutting for charcoal production. Community leaders acknowledge the urgency of the situation and have committed to mobilizing short-term seed support while calling for longer-term environmental protection measures.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), maize requires 500–800 mm of well-distributed rainfall per growing season. Increasing precipitation gaps in Kyankwanzi District threaten maize yields and livelihoods. Nationally, 70–90% of maize in Uganda is produced by small-scale farmers (MAAIF), making climate change a direct threat to national food security and rural economic stability.
Without timely intervention, climate-induced crop failure will continue to deepen poverty, increase dependence on food aid and accelerate environmental degradation.
Policy Gaps
Policy Recommendations
To protect maize production and strengthen community resilience, this brief calls for coordinated action by government, NGOs and development partners to:
Call to action
The experience of Ssekamalya Village demonstrates that climate change is no longer a future risk; it is a present crisis. Immediate, community-centered, and environmentally sustainable interventions are essential to safeguard food security, protect livelihoods and build long-term resilience in Kyankwanzi District and similar rural communities across Uganda.
STOTY COMPILED BY ABDUL KYAKONYI
The National Association of Professional Environmentalists, NAPE and Community Green Radio organized a media workshop on media compliance ahead of the general elections in Uganda. The workshop was held in partnership with Friends of Zoka ,Solidarity Uganda and NUMEC and was held under the theme “More strategic use of various forms of media and communication channels during the 2026 general elections in Uganda ;media compliance requirements. “
The aim of the workshop was to equip media practitioners with knowledge on media compliance requirements, particularly for the 2026 elections in Uganda.
The workshop took place on December 30th, 2025, at Atkon Hotel Kiboga central Uganda where media practitioners from various media houses, such as Community Green Radio, Kazi- Njema, FOZ, and Friends of Zoka NUMEC among others attended.
John Kibego, one of the facilitators and a media practitioner at Kazzi -Njema, urged media practitioners to observe and respect media laws.
Mr. Kibego highlighted key legal media considerations such as accuracy and verification, defamation and libel, hate speech and incitement, copyright and intellectual property, advising journalists to prioritize these aspects, particularly during the upcoming elections.
He urged them to be alert and cautious in their work, emphasizing the importance of fairness and balance while reporting and presenting.
Kagali Henry, the the Kiboga Town Council Chairperson, who officiated as chief guest, thanked NAPE for organizing the workshop in partnership with other organizations.
Kagali urged media practitioners to observe and respect the rules set by the government for their own benefit, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections.
The media workshop concluded with a tour of Community Green Radio where practitioners from various media houses visited the radio station.
STORY COMPILED BY JOANNE NTEZA
The Kiboga District authorities have issued a severe warning to wetland encroachers and are appealing on encroachers to vacate immediately.
The warning comes after repeated appeals to those occupying wetlands to relocate without result.
The wetland, a vital source of water and livelihood for the local community, has been under threat from human activities such as agriculture.
The encroachers have been draining the wetland, leading to soil erosion, water scarcity and loss of biodiversity.
Authorities have identified several hotspots where encroachment is rampant, including the wetlands in Kiboga Town council plus the sub counties of Muwanga, Nakasozi and Lwamata.
The district Environmental Officer, Zainabu Nakandi says encroachers have little time to leave or face the law.
“We will not tolerate the destruction of wetlands any longer. These wetlands are a vital source of water and livelihood for our community and must be protected fully”, explained Ms.Nakandi.
Nakandi added that encroachers have been given a six-month’s period to allow farmers harvest their crops and make necessary arrangements to relocate.
Wetland restoration efforts are underway, including the planting of indigenous trees and the creation of buffer zones to protect the ecosystem.
Ms. Nakandi is appealing to communities to participate in the restoration process and benefit from sustainable livelihood opportunities such as eco-tourism and wetland-based enterprises.
The encroachers however insist they have no other alternative and seem ready to continue occupying the wetlands
Ms. Josephine Nalwoga, the chairperson of the farmers in Lwamata Sub county farmers are poor and have no other option.
“We are poor and we have no other means of survival and we are willing to cooperate with the authorities to restore the wetlands but we need alternative land to cultivate”, she narrated.
The crackdown on wetland encroachers is part of a broader effort to restore Uganda’s wetlands, which have been degraded over the years due to human activities.
The government has set a target to restore 10% of the country’s wetlands by 2027 and Kiboga is one of the districts earmarked.
The restoration of the wetlands is expected to have numerous benefits, including improved water quality, increased biodiversity, and enhanced livelihoods for the local community.
It is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development and protecting the environment for future generations.
STORY COMPILED BY GERALD SSENKOOMI
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