By Oola Courage Allan
Communication Officer Kitgum
11/8/2026

Kitgum Tapped into USD 7.59m dollar Water security and catchment Resilience Project.

Ministry of Water and Environment with support from Global Environment Facility, in partnership with Conservation International and Africa Innovations Institute to boost water access, micro-irrigation, sustainable alternative livelihoods and climate resilience in cattle corridor communities

KITGUM — Kitgum District has been selected to pilot the long term Vision of the Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund collaboration through the Fostering Water Security and Catchment Resilience in Uganda’s Cattle Corridor Project.

The project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Water and Environment, seeks to promote sustainable and climate-resilient land and water management while helping communities cope with the increasing effects of climate change.
Among the key interventions planned for Kitgum are the construction of a valley tank, motorised solar powered borehole and micro-irrigation system , which are expected to improve access to water for both domestic consumption and agricultural production.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with Africa Innovations Institute, JC Holdings Limited, and Victoria Basin Facility for Propulsion for Clean Development

Speaking during an engagement with Kitgum District stakeholders, Joseph Lule from the Ministry of Water and Environment urged district and sub-county leaders to work as a team and strengthen coordination to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Lule said effective collaboration among the district, sub-county and executing partners would be critical in translating the project investments into tangible benefits for communities.

The project is designed around five key components, namely inclusive access to safe and clean water for domestic consumption and agricultural production; promotion of resilient and sustainable alternative livelihoods; strengthening policy coherence for climate adaptation at the local level; coordination, learning, knowledge management, and monitoring and evaluation.

The interventions are expected to strengthen the ability of communities to produce food and keep livestock while reducing their vulnerability to drought, water scarcity and other climate-related challenges.

CD Langoya of JC Holdings Limited said the organisation would take responsibility for activities related to environmental restoration, aimed at improving the health and productivity of the local environment.

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

Prof. George William Otim-Nape said project funding would be coordinated by the Africa Innovations Institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment.
He called upon all stakeholders to take responsibility for their respective assignments, emphasizing that the success of the project would depend on every partner playing their clearly defined role.
“Every stakeholder should play his or her defined role for the success of the project,” Prof. Otim-Nape said.

District pledges full support
The Secretary for Production, Hon. Can Odonga Richard, welcomed the intervention and pledged the district's full commitment to ensuring the success of the project.
He highlighted that the project provides an important opportunity for Kitgum to strengthen agricultural production, improve access to clean and safe water and enhance the livelihoods of local communities.

The Vice Chairperson of Kitgum District Local Government, Hon. Opon Smith, applauded the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Global Environment Facility for selecting Kitgum to participate in this project.
Hon. Opon said the intervention would enable the district to readjust its plans and redistribute resources to other sub-counties, since some of the services and infrastructure provided through the project would complement existing district programmes.
He added that increased access to water and micro-irrigation would help boost agricultural production and livestock rearing, contributing to poverty reduction at household level.

The Resident District Commissioner, Ssegawa Jimmy Ebil, welcomed the project and urged the implementing team to remain focused on the outcomes and long-term benefits of the interventions.
RDC Ssegawa pledged that his office would closely monitor the implementation of the project and provide support through radio talk time to enhance community mobilisation and sensitisation.
He, however, stressed that the success of the project would ultimately depend on community ownership.
He called for the active involvement of beneficiaries in planning, implementation and protection of the facilities, warning that infrastructure can only deliver lasting benefits when communities take responsibility for its use and maintenance.
The RDC further called for deliberate capacity building of communities and district officials to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to manage and sustain the project interventions beyond the project implementation period.

A boost to climate resilience
The Fostering Water Security and Catchment Resilience in Uganda’s Cattle Corridor Project comes at a time when communities in the cattle corridor continue to face challenges related to water scarcity, environmental degradation, climate variability and limited livelihood opportunities.
For Kitgum, the planned water and irrigation infrastructure could provide a significant boost to agricultural production and livestock rearing while creating opportunities for communities to diversify their sources of income.

With strong coordination between the Ministry of Water and Environment, Kitgum District Local Government, Africa Innovations Institute and other executing partners, sub-county leadership and beneficiary communities, the project is expected to strengthen water security, food production, environmental restoration and household resilience in the project area.
The project is therefore being viewed by district leaders as an opportunity not only to address immediate water and livelihood challenges but also to demonstrate practical approaches that can strengthen climate resilience among communities in Uganda’s cattle corridor.

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