From degraded landscapes to emerging green corridors, a government-led, community-driven restoration effort is rebuilding ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods, and advancing Uganda’s climate resilience agenda in Adjumani District.

By Bazio Doreen

Across six sub-counties in Adjumani District, a quiet transformation is taking root—one that reflects Uganda’s broader commitment to environmental restoration and climate resilience.

What were once stretches of bare, exhausted land are now dotted with young tree seedlings, carefully planted and nurtured by communities working in partnership with government and implementing agencies.

Launched in 2025, the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) project is funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Eco Trust.

The initiative forms part of a coordinated national response to environmental degradation, translating policy commitments into practical, community-level action.

A Landscape under Pressure

Adjumani District continues to face significant environmental stress driven by population growth, increased demand for wood fuel, and land pressure associated with its role as a major refugee-hosting district.

Uganda’s forest cover has declined sharply over the past three decades—from about 24 percent in 1990 to approximately 11.8 percent today—according to national and international forestry data. The country continues to lose an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 hectares of forest annually, largely due to unsustainable harvesting for firewood and charcoal.

This is particularly critical given that over 88 percent of Uganda’s energy needs are still met through biomass, placing immense pressure on forest resources, especially in northern districts such as Adjumani.

In refugee-hosting regions, the challenge is even more pronounced. Uganda hosts more than 1.6 million refugees, and districts like Adjumani experience significantly increased demand for land and wood fuel. In northern Uganda alone, over 70 percent of households rely on biomass energy, further accelerating environmental degradation.

At the local level, these pressures have translated into declining soil fertility, erratic rainfall patterns, and reduced agricultural productivity—conditions that directly threaten household resilience and food security.

A Targeted Government Response

In response, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Water and Environment and its partners, is implementing targeted interventions aimed at restoring degraded landscapes while strengthening community livelihoods.

According to Ojja Francis, the District Forest Officer, the IFPA-CD project is structured to deliver measurable outcomes.

“The project targets 1,635 households and will cover 327 hectares by June 2026 across six sub-counties of Ofua, Ukusijoni and Arinyapi for small-scale woodlot establishment, and Pachara, Ciforo and Adropi for agroforestry,” Ojja explained.

While addressing farmers during a tree planting demonstration in Tianyu Central Village in Ofua Sub-county on April 9, 2026, he emphasized the importance of community ownership.

“I want you people to take this project very serious. These trees take a short time to grow. In 3–4 years from now, you will be supplying firewood or timber and this could be your breakthrough in farming,” he said.

The project currently targets 1,635 households and aims to restore 327 hectares of land by mid-2026, contributing to national restoration targets and climate commitments.

Beyond Tree Planting: Restoring Systems and Livelihoods

The IFPA-CD initiative is designed not only to plant trees but to promote sustainable land use systems that integrate environmental restoration with economic benefits.

Through Eco Trust, communities are supported with seedlings, technical training, and continuous extension services. The approach aligns with global evidence showing that agroforestry systems can increase farm productivity by up to 30 percent while improving soil fertility, moisture retention, and resilience to climate variability.

Major (Rtd) Baru Stone, a farmer in Ofua Sub-county, says the initiative is already influencing community attitudes.

“I want to utilize these two acres of the woodlot to showcase to other farmers that it is possible. I want other people in my community to be like me and take tree planting as both a source of income and for fighting climate change,” Baru said

By integrating trees into farming systems, households are able to diversify income sources through timber, firewood, and other tree-based products while reducing dependence on natural forests.

Strengthening Farmer Capacity and Environmental Compliance

Implementation partners emphasize that the long-term success of the project depends on proper management practices and adherence to environmental safety standards.

Joan Amuge, a Project Officer at Eco Trust, confirmed that more than 31,000 seedlings have already been distributed across participating sub-counties.

“So far, we have supplied 31,000 seedlings to the three sub-counties under the woodlot component. In Ofua alone, about 5,000 seedlings have been supplied, with at least 10 farmers receiving 460 seedlings each,” Amuge said.

She noted that the next phase is critical.

“The survival of these trees will depend on how well farmers take care of them,” Amuge emphasized correct application techniques.

Amuge added: “When you apply the fertilizers, ensure that the chemicals touch all the walls of the hole where you have poured the mixture.”

Field-based technical guidance is further reinforced by forest assistants.

Francis Vukereda, a Forest Assistant at Eco Trust, stressed the importance of precision and safety in agrochemical use.

“For two acres, you use 12.5cc and mix it with eight litres of water. When applying, ensure you consider the central point of the farm size,” Vukereda said.

He also warned of health and environmental risks associated with improper handling:

“These chemicals can be highly dangerous. You must wear protective gear like gloves, eye glasses and face masks. Do not reuse fertilizer containers for other purposes,” Vukereda said.

In line with national environmental guidelines, he also cautioned against improper waste disposal:

“Do not throw polythene materials from seedlings in the garden after planting because this affects environmental conservation,” he added.

Such guidance reflects broader national standards, which highlight that improper agrochemical use can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and health risks, underscoring the importance of safe and sustainable practices.

Early Results and Emerging Impact

Across the six sub-counties, early results indicate positive progress.

Seedling survival rates are improving due to consistent monitoring and farmer engagement. Communities are increasingly adopting sustainable land management practices, while reliance on natural forests for fuel is gradually reducing.

Demonstration plots are also serving as practical learning centres, enabling knowledge sharing and strengthening community ownership of restoration efforts.

Advancing Uganda’s Climate Agenda

The IFPA-CD project represents a strategic shift in environmental management—moving from short-term interventions to long-term, community-driven restoration models.

By integrating ecological restoration with livelihood improvement, the initiative contributes directly to national priorities, including climate change adaptation, forest landscape restoration, sustainable energy use, and resilience building in vulnerable communities.

Conclusion: A Scalable Model for Climate Resilience

As trees take root across Adjumani, they symbolize more than environmental recovery—they represent a working model of inclusive, government-led climate action.

In a district facing increasing environmental pressure, the IFPA-CD project demonstrates that restoration efforts can deliver both ecological and economic benefits when communities are placed at the centre.

With continued implementation and community commitment, the initiative offers a scalable pathway for addressing deforestation and climate vulnerability across Uganda.

The future of Adjumani’s landscapes—and livelihoods—is steadily growing, one tree at a time.

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