The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) has launched the “Building a Climate - Resilient and Sustainable Shea Landscape of Northern Uganda” project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project was officially launched by the Former Chief Justice of Uganda; His Lordship, Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo at Kabira Country Club. The project will be implemented in Agago, Otuke, Pader and Kitgum Districts.
The objective of the Project is to enhance the climate resilience of communities and ecosystems in Northern Uganda’s shea landscape by promoting ecosystem based adaptation, increasing equitable access to financing for climate smart livelihoods, and strengthening climate risk informed, gender inclusive governance.
During the launch the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi indicated that the project will focus on six key areas: strengthening inclusive, climate risk-informed governance; empowering communities through resilient livelihoods, land-use planning and access to finance; commercialising the shea value chain through climate-smart processing, blended finance and zero-waste solutions; restoring shea landscapes through regeneration and conservation; promoting knowledge sharing and traditional ecological practices; and ensuring accountability through gender-sensitive monitoring, evaluation and confidential grievance mechanisms.
The Ministry of Water and Environment will lead and provide Government oversight while Conservation International will oversee the project on behalf of the GEF; and Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII) will support MWE by managing implementation and delivering assigned technical activities.
The project seeks to:
1. Restore and sustainably manage 4,500 hectares of Shea landscape for climate resilience.
2. Reach at least 4,320 direct beneficiaries, 60% of them women.
3. Establish two national-local governance mechanisms for the Shea landscape, with at least 30% women participation.
4. Climate-proof three policies and frameworks to integrate gender and climate resilience.
5. Develop and implement one national Shea commercialization strategy and scale five improved processing technologies to at least 20 beneficiaries (60% women).
6. Create five innovative financing instruments for Shea landscape restoration, value addition, and market access.
This project is not just about conserving Shea trees, it is about increasing household incomes, opening up sustainable market opportunities, and enhancing climate resilience for the communities of Northern Uganda.