Sustainable water management in northeastern Uganda

In June 2016, the ”Support to Improved Integrated Catchment Management for Increased Community Resilience” project started in Karamoja, northeastern Uganda. In this area the rivers Lokok and Lokere run from extremely arid areas into the marshes downstream. The region is characterized by drought, floods, diseases, poverty and conflict. The precipitation is drained very rapidly in the north, resulting in drought in the north and floods in the south. As a result, the local population is very vulnerable to natural disasters. There are currently no long-term programs for sustainable water management.

Acacia Water, Cordaid, RAIN Foundation, Wetlands International and partners have been asked by GIZ to increase the resilience of the area. Central to the project is the preparation of catchment management plans in close cooperation with local authorities. Water retention in upstream areas and sustainable management of wetlands will play an important role. Local catchment management organizations will be established to carry out the plans.

Stakeholders are actively Involved in the process for possible solutions. Especially the local governments play an important role. Last week a team of Acacia Water traveled to Uganda for a first exploration of the area and to introduce the project in nine districts concerned. Immediately after began the data collection.

Acacia Water examines the biophysical landscape characteristics, the characteristics of the existing water resources and the demand for water and summarizes the knowledge together in a central database and maps of the area. These products form an important basis for the development of different interventions and management strategies.