Project Detail

Integrated Management of Watersheds of River Malaba

The project aims at improving natural resource management practices on farmlands along River Malaba in Kalait parish, Tororo district of Uganda. The river is shared by Kenya and Uganda and its water ends up in River Nile through Lake Kyoga. The river water is silted and the project is demonstraing farming methods and land management practices which should reduce siltation. In addition, the project is providing clean water to community members and livestock by protecting natural springs and making water troughs for the livestock.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Mahanga Environment Management Organization

Country:

Uganda

Area Of Work:

International Waters

Operational Phase:

Phase 3

Grant Amount:

US$ 15,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 12,000.00

Project Number:

UGA/NTEAP/05/001

Start Date:

11/2005

End Date:

10/2006

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Notable Community Participation

A total of 206 community members, 64 women and 142 men, participated in 9 meetings and developed a Parish Environment Action Plan as well as a Land Use Plan. This activity improved their planning skills. In addition, 12 community members participated directly in constructing a protected spring and are now more knowledgeable in spring protection.

Capacity - Building Component

During 5 training sessions, a total of 216 community members, 60 women and 156 men, were trained in various methods of controlling soil eorosion and in tree planting. In addition, 117 community members, 25 women and 92 men, were trained in fruit tree growing and marketing in 5 training sessions.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

During training sessions and other meetings attended by project staff, the implementing organization explains the importance of reducing siltation of River Malaba and how the activities along the river affect the people downstream. In this case, the other countries in the Nile Basin are affected by the activities along River Malaba.

Planning non gef grant

MAHEMO is developing a larger proposal to consolidate its activities and include other interventions of natural resource management along the banks of River Malaba.

Project sustainability

MAHEMO is working directly with the District Environment Officer to implement the project. The local leaders of Kalait parish are also directly involved in project implementation. These opinion leaders will urge the community members to continue implementing the successful activities. In addition, a Local Water User Committee has been selected to maintain the water spring in good working condition. The community will contribute funds for repairs as the need arises.

Replication of project activities

The Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (CESARD), an NGO in Kenya has developed a project proposal with activities similar to those of MAHEMO. Replication of activities on the Kenyan side of River Malaba will contribute to reducing siltation of the river.

Gender Focus

The project is targeting 200 women and 200 men. The women and children are now able to collect clean water for domestic consumption from the protected spring. The men are assured of getting clean water for the livestock from the drinking trough at the protected spring. The planting of cover crops like water melon is meant to reduce the amount of labour spent on weeding the gardens. There should be fewer weeds in the areas that are occupied by water melon, thus less time spent by the women who normally weed the gardens.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The protected spring is providing clean water to 60 households with an estimated number of 420 people. The drinking trough at the protected spring is also providing clean water to about 100 herds of cattle. The measures for controlling soil erosion include planting cover crops like water melon and fruit trees like mangoes and oranges whose fruit will be sold to generate income for the participating households.

Project Results

1. Increased knowledge and skills in natural resource management among community members of Kalait parish.
a) Over 216 community members were trained in various natural resources management practices.
b) A Parish Environment Action Plan and Land Use Plan were developed with the participation of 206 community members.

2. Improved management of soil and water in Kalait parish.
a) 3,000 trees were planted by 42 farmers and 240 trees by two primary schools.
b) 42 households planted water melon seeds as cover crops to reduce soil erosion and they ate and sold some of the water melon fruits.
c) One natural spring was protected to provide clean water for home consumption for at least 60 households (about 420 people).
d) A drinking water trough was constructed at the spring for watering livestock. About 100 herds of cattle are drinking from the spring on a regular basis.

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