By Mike Rwothomio
Zombo Communities to Benefit as Life Concern Moves to Protect Springs, Wetlands and Water Catchments.
Communities in Nyapea Sub-county and Paidha Town Council are set to benefit from a new environmental conservation initiative focusing on the protection of water sources, wetlands and fragile ecosystems.
The initiative is being implemented by Life Concern (LICO) under its two-year Stand for Climate Justice (SCJ-11) Project, which runs from May 2026 to May 2028.
With a budget of Shs70 million, the project seeks to strengthen community resilience to climate change while improving the protection and sustainable management of natural resources.
One of the key interventions will be the rehabilitation and protection of two community water sources located in Mundhel Parish in Nyapea Sub-county and Aluka Cell in Paidha Town Council.
Protecting the Source of Life
Water sources are increasingly under pressure from environmental degradation, soil erosion, human activity and the effects of changing weather patterns.
LICO plans to address some of these challenges by planting vetiver and other suitable vegetation around the targeted water sources.
The vegetation is expected to help control soil erosion, improve water infiltration and protect the catchment areas surrounding the springs.
The project will also establish two inclusive Community Wetland Management and Water User Committees.
These committees will be trained to promote sustainable utilisation of wetlands and water resources while encouraging communities to take an active role in protecting the ecosystems around them.
LICO Executive Director Kakura Emmy Kizito said protecting natural resources is essential for building stronger and more resilient communities.
He said communities that depend heavily on agriculture and natural resources are often among those most affected by climate change.
“This project is about standing with communities who bear the brunt of climate change while contributing least to its causes,” Kizito said.
Community Awareness Will Be Critical
LICO Project Officer Jackline Oweknyinga said the success of the project will depend heavily on cooperation between communities, local leaders and technical stakeholders.
She noted that some environmental interventions have previously faced resistance because communities did not fully understand the objectives or benefits of the programmes.
“We are going into the community, and we expect stakeholders to coordinate and support us,” she said.
The project will therefore include community mobilisation meetings, environmental awareness campaigns and climate-focused radio dialogues.
These activities are expected to help communities understand the importance of protecting wetlands, springs and water catchments.
Leaders Welcome the Initiative
Zombo District Water Officer Lawrence Ruvakuma welcomed the project and called for extensive community sensitisation.
He said early engagement with communities would be important in preventing land-related disputes and pledged technical support in assessing the proposed water points.
Zombo District LCV Chairperson James Oruna Oyullu also welcomed the initiative and encouraged LICO to ensure that the project creates practical and lasting benefits.
The Prime Minister of Alur Kingdom, Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, said traditional and cultural leaders have a responsibility to help communities understand the importance of the project.
“It is our responsibility to carry the message to our people so that they understand the benefits of the programme,” Opar said.
A Wider Environmental Mission
The new project builds on LICO’s earlier environmental interventions in Zombo District and the West Nile region.
Among its previous activities is the restoration of the River Nyagak catchment, where the organisation has supported demarcation, planting of indigenous trees and vegetation, and community sensitisation.
LICO says protecting wetlands and water sources is not only an environmental responsibility but also an investment in community livelihoods, agriculture and future generations.
Through the Stand for Climate Justice Project, communities in Zombo will be encouraged to become active guardians of their own natural resources.
The organisation believes that stronger local stewardship, combined with technical support and increased awareness, can help communities respond more effectively to the growing challenges of climate change.
The project was officially presented to stakeholders at Zombo District headquarters on Friday, August 28, 2026.