Creating food security and safety for farmers on Elgon Mountain, Uganda

Contrasting extremes of climate change

Uganda is experiencing devastating effects from climate change. On the one hand, the northern Karamoja region is experiencing severe draughts, leading to malnutrition, dried up crops and perished cattle. In contract, in wet regions people are dying due to flooding. With over 30 lives lost to mud slides just in August this year, our President wants a complete overhaul of environmental policies.

All-round project proposals

“What stuck out to me most during the course was the stakeholder analysis tool. My value chain analysis would formerly emphasise interventions to raise crop yield, and subsequently income. Thanks to this rich method of mapping food systems, I now also consult with more stakeholder groups, including environmentalists. As a result, we now propose additional interventions, such as safety and environmental benefits. Consequently, we have submitted more all-round, integrated project proposals for funding by AEI Trust.”

Multipurpose trees for impact

“Interestingly, both the drier and the flooded regions require similar interventions. Due to the vital role trees play in climate change adaptation, we now actively promote agro-forestry. Trees can stabilise the wet slopes of Elgon Mountain, helping to prevent erosion and future mud slides. At the same time drier areas, like Karamoja Region, benefit from trees in the prevention of soil erosion and degradation and offer shade and fodder for animals. That saves houses, equipment, livelihoods and, most importantly, lives.”

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