Kitgum Taps Climate Resilience Project to Help Communities Adapt to Changing Climate

16 August 2026, 4:07 pm

By Otim Moses

Kitgum District has been selected to pilot a Government of Uganda project aimed at helping communities adapt to the growing impacts of climate change, including water scarcity, prolonged dry spells and unpredictable rainfall.

The Fostering Water Security and Catchment Resilience in Uganda’s Cattle Corridor Project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Water and Environment, will bring climate adaptation investments to Amida West Sub-county, including a water tank, motorised borehole and irrigation facility.

The project is expected to reduce communities’ vulnerability to climate-related shocks by improving access to water for domestic use, agriculture and livestock production.

The intervention comes as communities in the cattle corridor face increasing challenges from changing weather patterns, prolonged dry periods and unreliable rainfall, which affect food production and household livelihoods.

Speaking during an engagement with Kitgum District stakeholders, Joseph Lule from the Ministry of Water and Environment urged district and sub-county leaders to strengthen coordination to ensure the project achieves its climate resilience objectives.

Lule said collaboration among government institutions, local leaders, implementing partners and communities would be critical in ensuring that the investments provide lasting benefits.

One of the major climate adaptation interventions planned for Amida West is the establishment of an irrigation facility.

The facility is expected to help farmers reduce their dependence on rainfall and continue agricultural production during prolonged dry periods.

Improved access to water is also expected to support livestock keepers during periods of water stress.

The project will also promote environmental restoration as part of efforts to strengthen the resilience of local ecosystems.

CD Langoya of JC Holdings Limited said the organisation would support activities aimed at restoring degraded environments and improving the productivity of local ecosystems.

Healthy ecosystems and protected water catchments can help communities cope better with climate-related pressures while supporting the availability and sustainability of water resources.

The project also seeks to promote resilient and sustainable alternative livelihoods.

Dr. Ddumba Saul of the Victoria Basin Facility said the organisation would support market linkages to help beneficiary communities connect their agricultural and livelihood enterprises to markets.

The approach is intended to strengthen household incomes and help communities diversify their livelihoods, reducing their vulnerability to climate shocks.

The Secretary for Production, Hon. Can Odonga Richard, welcomed the project and pledged the district’s commitment to its successful implementation.

He said the intervention provides Kitgum with an opportunity to strengthen agricultural production, improve water access and support communities affected by climate-related challenges.

The Vice Chairperson of Kitgum District Local Government, Hon. Opon Smith, also applauded the Ministry of Water and Environment and the project partners for selecting Kitgum for the pilot.

He said improved access to water and irrigation would help communities adapt to changing climatic conditions while boosting agricultural and livestock production.

The Resident District Commissioner, Ssegawa Jimmy Ebil, welcomed the project but stressed the importance of community ownership.

He urged beneficiaries to participate actively in planning, implementation and protection of the facilities.

The RDC also called for deliberate capacity building of communities and local government structures so they can properly manage and sustain the interventions beyond the project implementation period.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with JC Holdings Limited, Victoria Basin Facility and Africa Innovations Institute, together with the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Its focus on water security, irrigation, environmental restoration and resilient livelihoods is expected to strengthen the capacity of communities to cope with the impacts of climate change.

For Amida West, the project could provide an important opportunity to move from dependence on increasingly unreliable rainfall towards more climate-resilient agriculture, water management and livelihoods.

The success of the intervention will, however, depend on effective coordination, community participation and proper management of the infrastructure and natural resources.

The pilot could provide lessons for other communities in Uganda’s cattle corridor on how climate adaptation, water security and sustainable livelihoods can be combined to build resilience against the growing impacts of climate chan