Involving local communities in preparing a long term CC and IWRM action
plan to enhance their adaptive capacity to CC, and integrate improved water
management in the Mpanga Catchment of the Nile Basin in Uganda.
Prepared by
PROTOS and Ministry of Water and Environment (Directorate of Water
Resources Management), Uganda
10 June 2011
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 1
List of Acronyms
ASAP: Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan
BMU: Beach Management Unit
CBIWRM: Catchment Based Integrated Water Resource Management
CC: Climatic Change
CMC: Catchment Management Committee
CMO: Catchment Management Organization
COP: Conferences of the Parties
CTC: Catchment Technical Committee
DWRM: Directorate for Water resource Management
EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment
IWRM: Integrated Water resource Management
JESE: Joint Effort to Save the Environment
LAGBIMO: Lake George Basin Integrated Management Organization
MOU: Memorandum Of Understanding
MMU: Mountains of the Moon University
MWE: Ministry of Water and Environment
NBI: Nile Basin Initiative
NWSC: National Water and Sewerage Corporation
PSC: Program Steering Committee
TSU: Technical Support Unit
UWASNET: Ugandan Water and Sanitation Network
UWP: Ugandan Water Partnership
WAP: Water Action Plan
WRM: Water Resource Management
WMZ: Water Management Zone
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 2
Introduction
The program will be implemented jointly by PROTOS and the Directorate of Water Resources
Management (DWRM) of the Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda that have been collaborating
to implement a Catchment Based Integrated Water Resources Management Program in Mpanga
catchment since 2006.
PROTOS is a Belgian NGO, which has been active in Uganda since 1999 in water related issues using
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Climate Change (CC) as a framework.. PROTOS is
active in the Great Lake Region in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC, and has local offices in the
Nile Basin countries of Uganda (Fort Portal) and Rwanda (Kigali).
DWRM is one of the three Directorates under the Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda and is
responsible for the sustainable and integrated development and management of water resources.
Catchment based Integrated Water Resources Management activities in Mpanga catchment have been
ongoing since 2006. These activities have been guided by the Catchment Based Water Resources
Management framework based on IWRM where all water resources development and management
functions will be performed following a basin or catchment. Catchment Based IWRM is seen as the best
available mechanism of adapting to climate change impacts on water resources.
Within Mpanga catchment, PROTOS has been spearheading the implementation of the activities and
facilitating creation of multi stakeholder platform for integrated water resource management in
collaboration with DWRM. The collaboration between PROTOS and DWRM is based on a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations that spells out the roles and
responsibilities of each of these organizations. Under the MOU the responsibility for leading local level
implementation of the activities in the catchment was given to PROTOS. It is planned that PROTOS will
continue with this role during implementation of the activities under this proposal.
During implementation of various interventions in Mpanga catchment a number of challenges faced by
local communities, local governments, and water related institutions and stakeholders in adapting to the
impacts of Climate Change and human pressures have been observed. The need to institute adaptation
mechanisms to enhance the capacity of vulnerable communities to adapt to these changing conditions
following IWRM principles has been the driving force towards preparation of a Catchment Management
Plan for Mpanga catchment that is in a draft form.
Due to these experiences in Mpanga catchment, other catchments in Uganda and elsewhere the partners
coordinated by PROTOS are well placed to successfully execute this program.
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 3
Background
Climate Change: a regional challenge
Climate change has become one of the world’s most pressing development challenges. In Africa, scientists
have estimated that between 75 and 250 million people are vulnerable and are projected to be exposed to
increase in water stress partly caused by climate change. Productivity of rain fed agriculture is likely to
reduce by 50% in some regions and access to food may be severely compromised by 2020. Climate change
will mainly disrupt access to water, food security and fisheries. In many parts of the continent, smallholder
farmers are already experiencing prolonged droughts and / or floods and are struggling to cope. Global
efforts towards averting climate change impacts at the level of the United Nations have since witnessed
the establishment of policy frameworks to curb Green House Gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol and the
Conferences of Parties (COP) are some of the international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
both in developed and developing countries. The Cancun agreement particularly stated that enhanced
action on adaptation is a priority and must be integrated in country driven approaches to address the
challenge. The Nile Basin is hosting up to 40 % of the population of Africa and due to its size and
variations in landscapes and climates it is one of the most important but also complex river basins. The
Nile Basin region itself is particularly vulnerable to Climatic Variability as its economies are largely based
on weather sensitive crop and livestock production systems (Stige et al, 2006).
Considering that Uganda is located wholly within the Nile basin and almost all its water resources are trans
boundary in nature, the impacts that climate change will have on the Nile Basin will directly be felt in
Uganda. The challenge for Uganda will therefore be how to make maximum use of the water resources
within its territory for her socio-economic development while considering the needs and interests of other
riparian countries bearing in mind the impacts of climate change. Already semi -arid areas of Uganda in
the northeast, central and southwest of the country experience water stress. Across much of Uganda the
climate is bimodal, with two rainy seasons, the long rains starting in March and lasting until June and the
short rains running from around October/November until December/January. Although these two
seasons were previously relatively stable and predictable they have started shifting over the last few years
greatly affecting rain fed agriculture in Uganda which provides 69 % of the National employment.
According to the Climate Analysis in the Uganda Government`s National Adaptation Programs of Action
(NAPA), published in December 2007, the wetter areas of Uganda, around the Lake Victoria Basin and in
the East and Northwest, are tending to become wetter. Government meteorologists state that the
droughts that periodically affect the Western, Northern and Northeastern Region are becoming more
frequent. They logged seven droughts between 1991 and 2000, with a particular long and severe drought
in 1999/2000.
Prolonged and severe droughts lead to low water levels in rivers, underground aquifers and reservoirs,
affecting the hydrology, biodiversity and water supply. The severe drought of 2004/05 contributed to the
reduction of the water levels of Lake Victoria and hence the flow of Nile River with serious impact for
example on power generation, leading to interruption in economic activities.
The impact of these climatic changes will affect mostly the rural poor, as they depend on streams and
swamps for their livelihoods. These sources will dry up during severe droughts resulting in the diversion
of resources, making them depend on emergency operations. Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity
problems, particularly in semi – arid areas as well as pollution of water supplies, particularly in urban
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 4
centers. Considering that a large proportion of the rural poor do not have latrines, increased flooding will
pollute sources of drinking water and lead to the outbreak of waterborne diseases (NAPA Uganda, 2007).
Uganda has ratified both regional and international policies on climate change, including the United
Nations Framework convention, and the Cancun Agreement on adaptation. Uganda has also initiated the
process of developing a national policy on climate change that is expected to be ready by early 2012.
Furthermore, government has developed a National Development Plan that is a successor program to the
Poverty Eradication Action Plan. This plan provides for adaptation measures focusing on solutions that
require technological capital and investments. However, these investments may be constrained by
unavailability of financial resources especially at community level.
According to the NAPA improved management of water resources, is ranked among the top 3 priority,
together with improved land management (and use) and agriculture/ forestry.
In order to respond to the challenges highlighted in the NAPA with respect to climate change impacts on
water resources, DWRM undertook a climate change vulnerability assessment in 2009 that lead to
preparation of a climate change adaptation strategy for water resources that was finalised in 2010.
Effective implementation of the strategy was seen to be best done following IWRM principles and on a
basin or catchment level. To help operationalize the climate change adaptation strategy, DWRM has
developed a Catchment based water resources management framework where all water resources
development and management functions will be performed following a basin or catchment. This will also
follow IWRM principles that stress the importance of cross-sector cooperation and water allocation, and
the use of water in an economically effective manner, taking into account equity and sustainability of
ecosystems. Implementation of the Catchment based water resources management framework has been
on going in a number of catchments in Uganda including Mpanga catchment in the Lake George and
Albert sub-basin of the Nile basin in western Uganda. Catchment based IWRM in Uganda is therefore
seen as the best available mechanism of adapting to climate change impacts on water resources and will be
the basis of implementation of this project in Mpanga catchment.
The national policy framework on IWRM in Uganda
Uganda adopted the principle of IWRM during the preparation of the Water Action Plan (WAP) in 199394. WAP mainly detailed activities that were associated with water resources development and
management and defined the problems related to securing water of acceptable quality and quantity to
sustain the health of the people of Uganda and for economic activities. The WAP finally expressed the
need for an institutional framework within which priorities could be determined and optimal uses planned.
Based on this, Uganda undertook a Water Resources Management Reform Study (WRM study) from 2003
to 2005 with the objective to establish an effective framework for Water Resource Management in Uganda
to ensure that water resources are managed in an integrated and sustainable manner. The study led to the
preparation of a WRM reform strategy whose key recommendation was a shift from centralized to
catchment based WRM. As a result the country was divided into four Water Management Zones (WMZ)
namely:
-
Albert Water Management Zone
Kyoga Water Management Zone
Victoria Water Management Zone
Upper Nile Water Management Zone.
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 5
The main driver to decentralize the previously centralized WRM structures was to maximize economic
and social benefits for Ugandans from water related resources management and development.
Three different levels where water resources management functions will be decentralized have been
foreseen namely the WMZ, catchment and district. WMZ will operationalize as the central level will
deconcentrate its functions, in order to move closer to stakeholders and be able to support them better.
Each WMZ will comprise different catchments which can be national catchments (e.g. Lake George) or
transboundary (e.g. Kagera). Each catchment is spread over the territory of several Districts. The
Catchment is the level that provides a platform for involvement of key stakeholders. Each catchment will
be transformed into a Catchment Management Organization (CMO). The CMO will be supported by the
WMZ team of DWRM and/or NGOs. Each CMO will also have structures for stakeholder coordination
that include Stakeholder Forum, Catchment Management Committee (CMC), Catchment Technical
Committee (CTC) and Catchment Secretariat. The districts who are located within a certain catchment will
be the next level of decentralization where actual implementation of activities will be carried out.
So far 4 CMOs have been set up in Uganda (Rwizi, Albert, Mpanga and Semliki). Within each catchment
the typical activities carried out include undertaking a general situation analysis, stakeholder analysis, water
resource analysis, and the preparation of a catchment management plan. The activities in the catchments
are driven by a CMC consist mainly of political leaders of the different districts within the catchment and
representatives of other key stakeholders who ensure that activities are effectively implemented.
For River Mpanga the CMC and the CTC were formed in 2010 The CTC is responsible for supporting
the CMC in its decision making process and is therefore mainly composed of local technical staff of
participating districts and key stakeholders within the basin.
IWRM and the link to Climate Change in Uganda
Uganda has experienced frequent flooding and droughts recently, which have demonstrated the country’s
vulnerability to climate change. The prolonged and severe drought of 1999 and 2000 caused serious water
shortages which had detrimental effects on the economy. Specifically the severe droughts in 2004 and
2005 led to reduced water levels in the lakes and the Nile River, which badly affected hydropower
generation. Indeed considering that Uganda lies wholly within the Nile Basin and all its water resources
are part of the Nile system these impacts greatly affected other countries in the basin.
Thus, all sectors of Uganda’s economy are being affected by climate change and will continue to be
affected, including water and other natural resources. Due to the importance of water resources to other
sectors such as agriculture, energy, forestry and fisheries the DWRM initiated a study in March 2009 titled
“Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for the Water Resources
Sector in Uganda” to respond to the challenge that climate change poses to this sector. The main areas of
vulnerability identified by the study were:
1. Institutional arrangements and capacity;
2. Fluctuations of water levels;
3. Water quality and human health, particularly on lake shorelines;
4. Generating electricity from hydro power;
5. Potential over-exploitation of groundwater by agriculture;
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 6
6. Limited data, information and technology to provide critical input for optimal decision and
policy-making;
7. Transboundary water resources management issues that could lead to conflict in the region.
The resulting recommended focus areas for the Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan among others
included the following:
a) Establish an institutional structure in line with Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
principles that enables active community participation in water resources management and
climate adaptation, and raises awareness of water and climate issues;
b) Improved fisheries catch quality and quantity;
c) Improve human health through better management of water quality, both surface water and
groundwater; and
d) Work with the Water for Production program in order to secure groundwater as a natural asset through
appropriate management actions.
Based on the above it is clear that improvement of the adaptive capacities of the communities to
climate change will be based on the already completed strategy documents on climate change
adaptation, IWRM and Catchment Based WRM. This is in line with Catchment Based WRM
framework that Uganda government is promoting in many catchments in the country including
Mpanga catchment.
Background to the project area
The project will operate in the Mpanga
catchment within the Lake George Basin in the
West of Uganda. The Lake itself has a surface of
250 km² with an average depth of 2.4 m and is
fed by different rivers (some glacier-fed, while
others, like Mpanga, originate from the slopes of
the Rwenzori Mountains). The Lake has one
outlet only, being the Kazingo channel. This
channel connects Lake George to Lake Edward
from where it flows through the Semliki River
into Lake Albert and finally into the Albert Nile.
The Mpanga river flows over a distance of about
200 km, with an altitude ranging from 1,700 m
(source area) tot 914 m (Lake George), and
crosses 3 different districts (Kabarole, Kyenjojo and Kamwenge (currently Kitagwenda )). In this area the
annual rainfall ranges from 600 to 1000 mm.
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 7
The Mpanga catchment is bound by strong
upstream – downstream relationships. The
source area in the Rwenzori Mountains is
currently under high pressure, mainly due to
deforestation of their steep slopes. The loss of
the tree cover is leading to severe soil erosion
and the risk of landslides is increasing. More
downstream, the mining of sand, gravel and
stones has become an important income
generating activity for the local communities.
This however leads to important changes in the
river bank characteristics and has started to
impact on the river itself. The river flows
through Fort Portal town, being one of the
fastest growing urban areas in Uganda. In this
town, water is abstracted by National Water and
Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) providing
drinking water through a piped water system. Part of
the waste water from Fort Portal is -through a small sewer system- discharged back in to the river (after
sedimentation). Initiatives have been undertaken to improve the waste management within the town area.
For the treatment of organic waste a composting plant has been constructed. Waste water from different
activities is still being discharged directly into the river (washing bays, slaughterhouse, etc.). The river is
being monitored by the DWRM downstream from the town on water quantity (monitoring station) and
quality (periodic sampling).
The Water Resource Assessment shows that the Water quality in Mpanga river downstream from Fort
Portal is heavily impacted by discharge of organic waste water (town sewer, slaughterhouse, …). Further
downstream the water quality improves (due to purification capacity of the Kibale Forest), however in the
Kamwenge area the turbidity is one of the highest of the country with values up to 200 NTU.
From Fort Portal town, the Mpanga flows through a rural area with various tea plantations (where large
ground water abstractions are operational) into Kibale Forest. This ecosystem is one of the most
important indigenous forests still present in Uganda today and has a high environmental value. The
Mpanga plays a key role in its existence and conservation. The river flows through different wetlands for
which it also plays an important role in maintaining the environmental value.
As the river flows through Kamwenge District towards Lake George, the area is heavily deforested and
especially river banks are threatened by the cultivation of crops. Crop cultivation by neighbouring
communities especially bananas, yams, sugar canes, vegetables and tree planting is common in Mpanga
fresh water riverine wetlands. The red sandy-clay soils of Kiamara series in Mwenge, Kibale, Burahya and
Bunyangabo counties and peaty clays along the Mpanga, are the most productive soils in the region (Water
Resource Assessment for river Mpanga, 2009). The soils are vulnerable towards erosion and
degradation which have resulted into a loss of agricultural productivity. Until now all agriculture
alongside the river is rain fed, however plans for (micro)-irrigation exist.
In Kamwenge town a new drinking water system has been recently installed using Mpanga water. For now
there is no waste water discharge from this town (as there is no sewer present but this might be so in
the future). Also in Kamwenge District, irrigation systems have been planned for, but at this stage no
specific projects are in the pipeline. The Mpanga flows into Lake George over Mpanga falls. This site is a
natural habitat for different species of fauna and flora and is bordering Queen Elisabeth National Park
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 8
(The wetland system is also classified as Ramsar site). The Mpanga Falls Gorge itself is known to be the
world only habitat for rare cycad plants. At this site a hydropower dam was constructed and became
operational since recent.
Finally Lake George itself faces several serious threats related to the rivers flowing into it and the
management of its fisheries resource itself (overfishing etc.). Residents of all fishing villages on Lake
George concede that the level of the lake has been going down over the years. No one is sure of the
causes but it could partly be due to wider global issues such as climate change and partly due to
environmental deterioration at the national or regional level. Whatever the cause, declining water levels
reduce overall breeding or nursery sites for some fish species and may affect lake productivity (Water
Resource Assessment for river Mpanga, 2009).
In the ongoing IWRM pilot river Mpanga was selected by the stakeholders out of the Lake George basin
as being the priority catchment. During the Mpanga IWRM process different barriers have been
identified:
Awareness about IWRM processes, involvement of local communities
Setting up strong and sustainable structures for IWRM at catchment level requires proper understanding
of the environmental issues and their interrelations from the one side and the concept of IWRM from the
other.
Especially the involvement of local communities and creating awareness at that level has shown to be a
challenge. Creating awareness about IWRM and CC issues at the grass root level needs adapted tools and
strategies in order to be able to initiate a dialogue that can be used as an input into the decision making
process.
Although the Mpanga catchment is relatively small, many different water functions are present in different
ecosystems (rainforest, semi dry national parks, Ramsar wetland, fast growing urban centers, mountainous
areas, …). This means that a “one fits all” approach for different communities is likely to fail, and
therefore the strategies should be diversified facing the local circumstances:




Vulnerable ecosystems : erosion, land degradation, deforestation, encroachment on wetlands lead
to reduction and deterioration of water resources (surface and groundwater) with potential impact
on the micro climate and hence the biodiversity;
Rwenzori mountainous area : agriculture in sloping landscapes, combined with land degradation
and deforestation leads to severe erosion, reduction of infiltration capacity for the whole basin
and increased risk of landslides;
Urban centers : the high pressure from growth on and increased consumption of natural
resources alter the impact on the nearby environment (waste disposal, settling in wetlands), and
towards the whole catchment (upstream – downstream interrelations);
The semi dry region in Kamwenge District (Nyabani region) is largely dependent on rain fed
agriculture and already witnesses disruption in the previously stable bimodal rains.
The availability of alternatives towards corrective measures related to environmental degradation
Many issues related to improved water management and CC adaptability are strongly linked to
environmental degradation. Key ones are the high rate of deforestation for different purposes (e.g.
charcoal burning), the encroachment on wetlands and poor hygiene and sanitation practices. Creating a
shift in human behaviour needs proper alternatives that have been piloted on ground and thorough
introduction strategies within the communities. When it comes to determination and research for
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 9
alternatives it has been observed that local communities, through their indigenous knowledge already have
practices on the ground that lead to enhanced adaptation capacity.
The Mpanga climate change adaptation program
Overview
The issue of improved water management and its specific challenges, as identified above, are currently not
yet fully assessed and integrated to identify the linkages with Climate Change issues.
As these will have an impact on the proper management of water resources, it is the aim of this program
to include these aspects within the water management initiatives already being implemented. This means
that the aim of the program, i.e. the CC Action Plan, will be an added component towards the Catchment
Management Plan that has been drafted for the Mpanga catchment. Therefore, the program is designed as
a standalone initiative and has a key component on assessment and raising awareness. On the other
hand, the outcome will create added value towards the ongoing IWRM efforts in the Mpanga catchment
and will allow, on the longer term, to fully integrate CC adaptability as a prime program driver. Next to
this, the elaboration of a CC adaptability monitoring and evaluation system will allow improved
analysis of the situation on the ground and allow interpreting the impact of planned and future activities.
Methods and approaches
Small scale dispersed interventions do have an impact on local capacity building and improve the quality
of life of the people involved. However there is a need for a detailed strategy and action plan to guide
implementation of actions on a local level. It is clear that local (micro) experiences will be very useful in
making the national strategies more realistic to implement and to have major impact. It is here that lays
the strength of the constructive cooperation between PROTOS (active in rural areas, in small
communities, working with local governments and organizations) and DWRM (coordinating on a regional
and national level).
Several studies and experiences, also from DWRM and PROTOS indicate that Integrated Water Resource
Management is a very successful framework to (partially) prevent negative impacts of Climate Change. At
this stage, Uganda made efforts to determine the most negative impacts of Climate Change in “Climate
Change Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for the Water Resources Sector in
Uganda” and the resulting “Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan”, both elaborated by DWRM. They give
a global framework for actions and national strategies, but – as defined in the papers itself- there is a large
need for a detailed and ready to use CC Action Plan. Therefore, elaboration of this CC Action Plan for the
Mpanga catchment will be a key focus of this project. After the implementation of this Plan of Action
(probably 2012-2015) and its evaluation, measures to enhance the adaptive capacity to Climate Change will
be documented and can be repeated in other similar catchments in Uganda and the Nile Basin.
On every level of intervention, the Action Plan needs to respect:
1. The integration of (scientific, endogenous, cultural, historical) knowledge, the competences and
responsibilities of involved actors, the national and international policies, and the concerned
stakeholders;
2. Participatory approach and a mode of operation by consensus;
3. Respond (by actions and measurements) in order to satisfy the needs of the population;
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 10
4. Sustainable financing and planning.
DWRM, PROTOS and the CMC have already taken some first steps to develop a Catchment
Management Plan for Mpanga, based on several preliminary studies and decisions driven by the
stakeholders involved. Therefore this program does not start from scratch, but will have a big challenge to
put all de existing data together, analyze them, and determine which elements are still missing to complete
the whole picture of the potential Climate Change effects, and corresponding adaptation capacities and
needs in the Mpanga catchment.
During this process a Program Steering Committee (PSC) will follow and coordinate the development of
the strategy and Action Plan, as a lot of different stakeholders are involved and active in the catchment. In
parallel, the CMC needs to be strengthened and prepared for the challenge to put this pilot project from
paper to practice. During this preparatory program and ahead of the real activity implementation phase, it
is important that the CMC has a well-functioning, equipped and capable team, with administrative,
organizational and decision making skills.
Awareness raising activities and training will be executed in cooperation with local organizations that have
a wide knowledge of the local culture, behaviors and language. A film about the river Mpanga
(upstream to downstream) in the local language, which shows the beauty and the threats along this river,
needs to inform the population about the indirect relation between people living upstream and
downstream as well as initiate a dialogue about the impact of their proper actions.
PROTOS has a very large experience (technical and social) in executing demos and pilots (in sanitation,
drink water area and integrated water management, agriculture and irrigation). Under this project the local
population will be mobilized and encouraged to cooperate and to find solutions for their water-related
problems themselves, providing capacity building where needed. The project will ensure that nobody is
excluded, and that services are provided and managed in a social, sustainable and participatory way.
The obtained knowledge will be shared on a bigger scale with other partners in Uganda and in the whole
Nile Basin. Therefore all analyzed, collected and developed data will be published and made available for
downloading on a public website. If possible this data will be managed and maintained by a local
institution or organization for sustainability. The most appropriate institution will be identified in the early
stages of the project.
Overall objective
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to enhancing the adaptive capacity to Climate
Change of the population in the Mpanga Catchment.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
1. Develop a strategy and action plan for enhancing the adaptive capacity of the population to
climate change impacts in Mpanga catchment.
2. Identify and implement measures to enhance the adaptive capacity to Climate Change of local
communities.
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3. Develop platform to share information and raising awareness on available adaptive mechanisms
to Climate Change.
Expected Outcomes
Outcome 1: A long term strategy and CC Action Plan for enhancing the adaptive
capacity of communities to Climate Change is ready to be executed in the
Mpanga Catchment.
The main outcome of this project will be a long term strategy and action Plan to enhance the
adaptive capacity to Climate Change of the vulnerable local communities. This strategy and action plan
will be based on the vulnerability assessment and identification of possible and appropriate adaptation
measures for Mpanga catchment. Thus, to develop this strategy and action plan a successive series of
assessments and studies will be executed. The strategy and action plan will be developed in close
collaboration with all the stakeholders in Mpanga Catchment that will be brought together through the
Catchment Management Committee, Stakeholders Forum and Catchment Technical Committee.
All studies will be combining scientific research and indigenous knowledge, and will be undertaken by
competent personnel that will be appointed and supported by the participating institutions as well as those
that will be procured to provide specific technical inputs. All the collected data and information will be
analyzed through different steps leading to an overall strategy and action plan for enhancing adaptive
capacity in Mpanga Catchment.
Outcome 2: Small scale pilot and demonstration projects of the proposed
measures in the CC and IWRM strategy and action plan are executed
To ensure that the developed strategy and action plan for enhancing adaptive capacity in Mpanga
catchment is tested some pilot and demonstration projects will be implemented. The nature of the
interventions and where they will be implemented will be determined during the assessment phase of the
project based on studies and experiences of involved actors. The interventions selected will aim at helping
the communities enhance their adaptive capacity while also improving their livelihoods. These
interventions may among others include afforestation, planting of fruit trees, micro irrigation, rainwater
harvesting, small scale storage reservoirs, fish ponds, terracing, protection of river banks with
multipurpose grasses etc.
As part of implementation of the pilot projects, the existing catchment based WRM structures
(Stakeholder Forum, Catchment Management Committee, Stakeholder Forum and Catchment Secretariat)
will be tested to assess their potential and usefulness in enhancing adaptive capacity of the communities to
climate change in an ecosystem based approach.
Outcome 3: Platform for sharing information and raising awareness on available
adaptive mechanisms to Climate Change is established and operational
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 12
All the information gathered durineg this project will be integrated with information collected in earlier
studies in Mpanga catchment into a suitable information management system for ease of access and
sharing with different stakeholders. This information will be the basis of training of various stakeholders
and awareness raising in the catchment as well as experience sharing with similar initiatives in the Nile
Basin. Documentation of the findings, knowledge gained, best practices including indigenous knowledge
regarding climate change adaptation will be a key aspect of the project. In line with this, targeted
communication materials in form of brochures, flyers etc. will be developed as well as awareness raising
programs through radio and local sessions in villages. In addition stakeholder workshops will be held in
Mpanga catchment and in Kampala to inform the stakeholders about the outputs of the project and the
feasible adaptation options in Mpanga catchment.
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Activities
Outcomes
Outcome 1:
Activities Micro
= Communities within Mpanga River
Basin
Identification, analysis and mapping of
involved actors: population, communities,
Subcounties, Counties, Districts, private sector,
NGOs and other institutions on Climate
Change and Integrated Water Management.
Identification, study, analysis and mapping of
the ecosystems.
A long term strategy and
action plan for
enhancing the adaptive
capacity of communities
to Climate Change is
Identification, analysis and mapping of the CC
ready to be executed in
vulnerability and adaptive capacity.
the Mpanga Catchment
Activities Meso
= CMO Mpanga - Lake Albert Water
Management Zone (WMZ) (=DWRM Fort
Portal)
Identification, analysis and mapping of involved
actors on Climate Change and Integrated Water
Management.
Activities Macro
= CC< environment and IWRM working
group, DWRM, UWP, NBI, River Nile
Basin.
Identification, analysis and mapping of
involved actors in national strategies in
Climate Change and Integrated Water
Management.
Identification of the relation between and major
impacts on ecosystems on the Water management
Zone (WMZ) of Lake Albert.
Identification, analysis and mapping of the Climate
Change adaptability capacity of the various
catchment based structures.
Identification of the relation between and
major impacts of CC on the ecosystems in
the whole river Nile Basin.
Identification, analysis and mapping of the
Climate Change adaptability capacity with
influence on the basin of the river Mpanga.
Collecting and assessing existing experiences.
Drafts will be presented and discussed with all
stakeholders.
Proposals of existing interesting experiences.
Drafts will be presented and discussed
with all stakeholders
Drafts will be presented and discussed with all
Drafts will be presented and discussed
Data analysis based on the above mentioned
study outcomes is done to identify the Climate
Change risk areas (human adaptability
capacity)and to indicate the most vulnerable
areas (ecosystems)
Collecting and assessing existing experiences.
Compilation of studies, analysis and mapping
in a long term strategy and CC Action Plan
to enhance the adaptive capacity to
Climate Change ready to be executed in
the Mpanga Catchment. This plan is
detailed with exact description of prioritized
measures to be taken, location, costs and
budget, responsibilities and planning.
A profound monitoring & evaluation
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 14
Outcome 2: Small scale
pilot and demonstration
projects of the proposed
measures in the CC and
IWRM strategy and
action plan are executed
and validated
Outcome 3: Platform for
sharing information
and raising awareness
on available adaptive
mechanisms to Climate
Change is established
and operational
system will be the backbone of the
program. Before starting the real execution of
this CC Action Plan, a monitoring and
evaluation system will be put in place, to
allow an efficient and profound follow up of
the execution of this Implementation Plan.
This monitoring and evaluation system
provides a manual with a clear description of
the expected results, definition of the indicator,
means of verification, planning,
responsibilities. This system needs to be
accompanied by a budget.
After the identification of the most urgent
needs and priorities, a study will identify the
most efficient, and applicable measures to
counter vulnerability and to enhance the
adaptive capacities to climate change. Based on
the experiences of institutions, international
and other national organizations, a selection
of feasible adaptation options will be
presented, with details, methodology, materials
needed, a toolbox ready to execute.
Testing of proposed measures (demos and
pilots) on small scale in close cooperation with
local NGOs, local communities and key
stakeholders.
 Identification, analysis and adjusting of
existing education packages on CC
(movies, publications, …).?.
 Local training sessions in 20 schools (250
students/school) and 20 communities
(sessions for 300 persons) to test education
package on CC and IWRM.
 Radio spots on CC and IWRM adaptability
awareness.
stakeholders.
with all stakeholders
Monitoring and evaluating of pilot experiences and
results.
Proposal of demonstrations and pilots will be
presented to Steering Committee and UNEP
for approval.
A database will be developed to contain all available
data and information (publications, mappings,
assessments, studies).
.
 Training sessions for the members of the CMC
and CTC and other key stakeholders and partners
in Climate Change adaptability capacity, on
vulnerability of communities and ecosystems,
impact of CC on river basin, needs and measures
to improve CC adaptability capacity.
In the forum in Kampala the UNEP program
will be presented on large scale to all
involved Ugandan national actors.
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 15


Capacity building of local population
through learning by doing (see demo and
pilots).
Sensitization activities, pilots and demos as
awareness creation tools..

Organization of stakeholder workshop and
forums on CC and IWRM in Fort Portal and
Kampala.
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 16
Implementation arrangements
The project will be implemented by various partners who will play different roles as highlighted below.
1. UNEP: Will be responsible for providing oversight of the project and link the project to other
related activities in the Nile Basin for experience sharing and bench marking.
2. PROTOS: Will coordinate the implementation of the project activities on the ground and will
enter into contractual arrangements with UNEP on behalf of the other partners. It will maintain
liaison between UNEP and other partners for purposes of ensuring that the project activities are
successfully implemented. Through its leading role in the Ugandan Environment, Climate Change
and IWRM working group (hosted by UWASNET, Chaired by PROTOS) it will ensure sharing
with other non-governmental actors in within Uganda.
3. DWRM: Will co-manage the project with PROTOS and ensure that the agreed activities are
implemented in line with national strategies and plans
4. Mpanga Catchment Management Committee: Will act as the steering committee for
implementation of the project and ensure active participation and involvement of key
stakeholders in implementation of the project
Project Budget (USD) and Planning
The total budget for implementation of the project is US$200.000 for a period of 1 year. The management
of the funds will be done by PROTOS in cooperation with the DWRM and the Project Steering
Committee. The budget has been allocated to funding the various activities as follows: (i) US$ 85,100 will
be used for undertaking various assessments and studies related to climate change vulnerability, strategy
and action plan, communication and management of the project (ii) US$91,000 will be used for
implementing small scale adaption activities in the catchment (afforestation, planting of fruit trees, micro
irrigation, rainwater harvesting, small scale storage reservoirs, fish ponds, terracing, protection of river
banks with multipurpose grasses etc.).
Details of the budget are presented below. The proposed project planning is included in pages 22-23.
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 17
UNEP Uganda CC and IWRM program (USD)
Nr
Description
nr
units
PU
Total
Community and household level – storage
reservoirs, fish ponds, sanitation,
rainwaterharvesting.
20
N0.
1200
24000
Catchment level activities (terracing, infiltration
galleries)
3
pilot
9000
27000
Catchment and river bank protection – fruit and
other trees
20000
seedling
2
40000
Server - website - connection
1
server
2500
2500
Laptop
1
laptop
800
800
Other office materials
1
lump sum
600
600
O1
O2
O3
O4
1 INVESTMENTS
1.1.
1.2.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEMOS & PILOTS
GOODS
SUBTOTAL INVESTMENTS (USD)
94900
2 FORMATION
2.1.
Formation, study, assessment
Institutional assessment, Ecologic assessment CC
1
and adaptibility risk assessment
lump sum
20000
20000
Mapping CC risk areas and most vulnerable areas
and identification, evaluation of applicable
1
measures
lump sum
17000
17000
CC and IWRM strategy and action Plan - Mpanga
River Catchment and Identification of
1
monitoring and evaluation system
lump sum
16000
16000
CC and IWRM sensitization activities (schools,
commuties, radio spots etc)
school
200
4000
20
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 18
2.2.
2.3.
CC and IWRM Capacity Building CMO, TT and
4
others
formation
650
2600
Data collection and implementation of website
CC IWRM Mpanga
1
lump sum
10000
10000
CC brochure, materials for schools, communities
500
brochures
10
5000
Sensitization and visualization
5
reports
500
2500
Program Steering Committee
5
meeting
900
4500
Forum CC IWRM Kampala, CC week Fort
Portal, Discussion Meetings on CC and IWRM
Action Plan
1
meeting
3500
3500
Publication and education toolkit
Workshops
SUBTOTAL FORMATION (USD)
85100
SUB TOTAL (USD)
180000
Contingency (10%)
1
lump sum
TOTAL (USD)
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
20000
20000
200000
Uganda 19
Outcome / activity
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Outcome 1: A long term CC and IWRM Action Plan to enhance the adaptive capacity to Climate Change is ready to be
executed in the Mpanga River Catchment.
Identification, analysis and mapping of involved actors: population, communities, Subcounties, Counties,
Districts, private sector, NGOs and other institutions on Climate Change and Integrated Water Management.
Identification, study, analysis and mapping of the ecosystems.
Identification, analysis and mapping of the CC adaptability capacity.
Data analysis based on the above mentioned study outcomes is done to identify the Climate Change risk
areas (human adaptability capacity)and to indicate the most vulnerable areas (ecosystems).
Collecting and assessing existing experiences.
Compilation of studies, analysis and mapping in a long term CC and IWRM Action Plan to enhance the
adaptive capacity to Climate Change is ready to be executed in the Mpanga River Catchment.
A profound monitoring & evaluation system will be the backbone of the program.
Outcome 2: 35.000 persons are aware of the need to improve their adaptive capacity to Climate Change
Identification, analysis and adjusting of existing education packages on CC (movies, publications, …).
Local training sessions in 20 schools (250 students/school) and 20 communities (sessions for 300 persons) to
test education package on CC and IWRM.
Radio spots on CC and IWRM adaptability awareness.
Capacity building of local population through learning by doing (see demo and pilots).
Training sessions for the members of the CMO Mpanga and their TT on Climate Change adaptability capacity.
Organization of Forum on CC and IWRM in Fort Portal.
Capacity building of CMO and TT Mpanga in organization, administration, decision making, responsibilities
(permit delivery) and coordination with other organizations.
Training sessions for the employees of the DWRM Fort Portal on vulnerability of communities and
ecosystems, impact of CC on river basin, needs and measures to improve CC adaptability capacity.
Organization of Forum on CC and IWRM in Kampala
Outcome 3: Small scale pilots and demos of the proposed measures in the CC and IWRM Action Plan are executed, evaluated
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 20
and validated
Identify the most efficient, and applicable measures to counter vulnerability and to enhance the adaptive
capacities to climate change, a selection of applicable measures will be presented, with details, methodology,
materials needed, a toolbox ready to execute.
Testing of proposed measures (demos and pilots) on small scale in close cooperation with DWRM FP, local
NGOs and local communities.
Outcome 4: All development stages of the CC and IWRM Action Plan are coordinated by a Program Steering Committee and
all information is public and accessible
Sensitization activities, pilots and demos as awareness creation tools..
Together with DWRM FP and other institutions a public database will be installed on a server (website). This
public database contains all so far available collected data (publications, mappings, assessments, studies).
This website is administrated by a responsible institution and has financial resources to maintain the application
in a sustainable and long term way (more than 1 year). .
In the forum in Kampala the UNEP program will be presented on large scale to all involved Ugandan national
actors.
During this program the members of the PSC will be informed and asked for feedback, so that after this
program all stakeholders are ready and agree on the execution of this CC
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 21
References
1. Cross cutting evaluation 2010 implementation of IWRM strategy and integration of climate
change policy – case study Uganda, Hydroconseil (PROTOS), 2011
2. How Effective are Uganda's Environmental Policies?, Twesigye Morrison Rwakakamba, 2009
(http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1659/mrd.1092)
3. Climate Change : Uganda National Adaptation Programmes of Action, 2007
4. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for the Water
Resources Sector in Uganda, 2009
5. Turning up the heat : Climate change and poverty in Uganda, Oxfam GB, June 2008
6. Water Resource assessment for river Mpanga, Cate Nimanya (PROTOS), 2009
7. Lake George Assessment report, Eric Van Butsele (PROTOS), 2008
8. Framework for Catchment based water resources management, 2010
9. Climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy for water resources, 2010
PROPOSAL: Climate change adaptation in the Nile Basin
Uganda 22