LIFE-AR initiative empowers communities in Pader to lead climate Investments

5 March 2026, 12:48 pm

By Okwong Geoffrey

The Ministry of Water and Environment has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting community-led climate resilience through the LIFE-AR initiative, a program that adopts what officials describe as a “business unusual” approach.

Speaking during a community engagement, Winnie Namuyiga, the LIFE-AR focal person for Pader district explained that unlike traditional projects where decisions are made at the national level, the LIFE-AR initiative allows communities to take full responsibility in identifying and prioritising their own investments.

“This initiative does not come from the centre where the Ministry decides what people need. It is the community that selects and prioritises its own investments,” she said.

Under the arrangement agreed upon with donors, 70 percent of the funds are directed straight to the communities, while 30 percent is allocated for operational and coordination costs. The model ensures that the largest share of funding directly benefits local populations.

Namuyiga noted that before selecting the investments, extensive awareness meetings were conducted at parish and community levels. Special attention was given to ensuring inclusivity, bringing together elderly men and women, persons with disabilities, and other community members to ensure a common voice in decision-making.

“These investments are not for individuals. They are public good investments that benefit the entire community,” she emphasized.

The selected projects must be climate-resilient in nature, aimed at building climate-resilient people, climate-resilient economies, and climate-resilient ecosystems.

She further highlighted that capacity building is a core pillar of the initiative. District technical teams underwent a week-long training followed by refresher sessions to equip them with the necessary skills to guide communities effectively. Rather than the national team implementing projects directly, district officials are empowered to lead the process and communicate the objectives of LIFE-AR to local residents.

The initiative is anchored on key pillars including participatory planning, risk assessment, and strengthening local systems to ensure long-term sustainability.

She continued that through this devolved approach, the Ministry aims to promote transparency, community ownership, and lasting climate resilience across participating districts.

     

The LC V Chairperson of Pader District, Fearless Obwoya Oyat, has expressed dissatisfaction over delays and changes in the implementation of the LIFE-AR climate resilience project under the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Speaking during an engagement meeting, the retired colonel said although the initiative was well-intended, its slow rollout and repeated redesigns had frustrated district leaders.

“In summary, I am not happy with how we implement projects. We are talking of ‘business unusual,’ but three years down the road it has been planning, planning and more planning. By the time implementation begins, the project period is almost ending and funds risk going back,” he said.

He recalled that district leaders were involved in early discussions about the project in Nairobi and had expected that within six months implementation would be underway. However, two years later, he said, much of the work had remained at the design stage.

Obwoya noted that the original project design had significantly changed along the way, raising concerns at the district level.

“The design of the project completely changed from what we started with. As a district, we are not supposed to handle procurement directly, but we should provide guidance through our technical teams. Now we hear procurement processes and structural changes happening without our knowledge,” he added.

He questioned why, despite being one of the 12 pilot districts, Pader had not fully commenced tangible implementation beyond planning activities.

According to the chairperson, delays could particularly affect technically demanding components such as valley dam construction and other climate-resilient infrastructure, which require sufficient time for proper execution.

“This is a donor-funded project, and when such projects delay, it reflects poorly. We would rather be late than never, but I wish the initial design had been maintained,” he stated.

He further revealed that similar frustrations may be affecting other pilot districts, urging the Ministry to address the concerns urgently to ensure the project achieves its intended objectives before the funding window closes.

Despite his concerns, Obwoya thanked the Ministry officials for engaging with the district but emphasized the need for improved coordination, timely implementation, and clearer communication regarding any program adjustments.

The LIFE-AR initiative aims to channel 70 percent of its funding directly to communities for locally selected climate-resilient investments, while 30 percent supports operational costs, under a devolved and participatory planning framework.

Jennifer Amony, a member of the Parish Climate Change Committee (PCCC) in Kilim Parish, Laguti Sub County, said the community has been facing numerous challenges, particularly poor road infrastructure that has prevented children from accessing schools and farmers from transporting their produce to markets.

She explained that persistent flooding in the parish has made roads impassable, especially during and after harvest seasons, isolating the community economically.

Amony noted that under the LIFE-AR project guidelines, each parish was allowed to identify and prioritize its own key investment area. She said Kilim Parish chose road construction as its primary investment due to the recurring flooding that disrupts transport and livelihoods.

She expressed gratitude that the road construction initiative under LIFE-AR will ease movement, improve market access, and restore hope among residents.

Meanwhile, in Awalmon Parish, Pajule Town Council, beneficiaries identified valley dam construction because of the unpredictable weather patterns as their major challenge. As a result, the parish prioritized the construction of a community dam to address changing weather conditions and support agricultural production.

Charles Oryem, a beneficiary of the LIFE-AR project in Awalmon Parish, welcomed the dam construction project, saying it will transform livelihoods if properly implemented.

He noted that the availability of water from the dam will boost vegetable growing and promote fish farming, providing sustainable income opportunities for households in the area.

The differing priorities, community members said, demonstrate the participatory approach of the LIFE-AR project, allowing parishes to select investments that directly respond to their most pressing climate-related challenges.