For William Kimera, a passionate 50-year-old farmer and community mobilizer, the journey to becoming a pioneer of agroforestry began most unexpectedly, at a dusty local pitch in Kyondo sub-county.

As a lifelong lover of nature, Kimera grew up watching his father plant eucalyptus and macadamia gardens. But it wasn’t until a chance encounter after a football match that Kimera realised his family’s passion could become a vehicle to lift his entire community from poverty.

“For my case, I’m a footballer,” Kimera recalls. “There was one member of staff at ECOTRUST who attended those competitions. After the match, he talked about ECOTRUST and tree planting. I had never heard of it, but having talked about it, I became interested.”

The interest quickly turned into a green revolution in Kisanga village in Kyarumba Town Council, Kasese District. He learned about the Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) program, an initiative that pays farmers for the carbon sequestered by the trees grown.

Sceptical but curious, Kimera and his fellow cooperative members from Kyarumba Banywani Tree Farmers (KBT) made an exchange visit to MIFA, a neighbouring SACCO that had also benefited from ECOTRUST, to see if the “cash for trees” was real. “They were,” he exclaims.

Returning home inspired, Kimera immediately set to work. He enrolled in the TGB program in 2015 and planted his first 200 trees that same year. He chose a diverse mix of species, including Grevillea, Mahogany, Albizia, Macadamia, and various fruit trees, especially Mangoes. Kimera carefully selected each variety not just for timber, but for climate modification, firewood, bee forage, and, in the case of Albizia, to shade and nourish his coffee plants.

The financial structure of the program provided immediate relief, but true wealth lies in the long-term vision, as he explains.

“When I first heard about the program, I loved it because I had never heard about anyone being paid for simply planting trees. My first thought was how this could relieve our people from poverty. I mobilised the community, which embraced the program, and indeed, they have not ashamed me. They have grown the trees, and the cash is changing their lives.”  Kimera says.

The ongoing carbon payments act as a bridge, helping the farmers and their families while the green investments mature.

“According to the training we received, this money is for motivation and maintenance so that people don’t cut down their trees prematurely. While the short-term payments help us manage our homes, the long-term target is what excites us. When we did the calculations, we realised a farmer can get over UGX 100 million if they maintain their trees until harvest time.”

For Kimera, forestry is not about replacing agriculture; it is about enhancing it. By practising agroforestry, he has watched his crop yields and farm biodiversity grow. This healthy environment inspired him to start beekeeping as well.

“I have integrated my trees directly into my coffee plantations. Species like Albizia provide natural manure to the soil, and our coffee yields have heavily increased. Meanwhile, the Toona ciliata and Macadamia trees have increased our honey production because of their heavy nectar.”

The partnership with ECOTRUST also helped Kimera’s cooperative buy a pulping machine. This allows them to process raw coffee cherries into high-value parchment coffee, making Kimera incredibly proud as a group leader.

“Through the support of ECOTRUST, we’ve gone from just growing coffee to adding value. We received pulping machines to process red cherries into parchment coffee, and now we are drying, grinding, and packaging our own brand. It has completely changed our business.”

The environmental benefits of the tree-planting initiative have been felt far beyond Kimera’s farm. The trees have improved the local weather and protected the land from harsh weather. They have also brought peace to a long-standing conflict between local communities and the nearby national park.

“The rains we are receiving these days have increased compared to the past because of these trees. Soil erosion, which used to be a massive problem for us here, has been minimised, and the trees are even consuming the fumes from local grinding and processing factories to clear our air.”

Importantly, planting indigenous medicinal trees on private land has stopped dangerous encroachment into gazetted wildlife areas.

“People used to illegally encroach on the National Park looking for herbal medicines. Many would get trapped there, arrested, and suffer in prison. Today, those conflicts have been minimised because we have planted our own herbal medicine trees right in our gardens to treat common ailments.”

Now a father of five, Kimera is making sure the roots he has planted run deep into the next generation. He spends his afternoons teaching his children the delicate art of forest management, ensuring that his family’s relationship with the land remains unbroken.

“I am raising my children to love the environment. Even if you visit my home today, my children will gladly show you where our trees are. I involve them in pruning, weeding, and protecting the forest from fires. I teach them the use of each species so that they can keep this heritage alive long after I am gone.”

In Apyeta Parish, Lamwo District, maize is still grown, but for 46-year-old farmer Kenneth Akena, it is no longer the only crop he depends on. After years of uncertain returns from maize farming, Akena has added something new to his 3-acre land in Ogili Sub-County: rows of eucalyptus and teak trees meant to build long-term income alongside food production.

Through the IFPA-CD Woodlots Programme implemented by the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), Akena planted 672 clonal eucalyptus trees and 672 Tectona grandis (Teak). While maize still occupies part of his farm, the trees now stand as a second line of income, one that grows slowly but is expected to pay more steadily in the years ahead.

“I planted these trees to get timber and poles for income,” Akena says. “People here buy timber at a good price. Before, I was planting only maize, but from what I have learnt, these trees have more return.”

For Akena, the change did not mean abandoning maize. It meant reducing dependence on it. Maize still feeds his household and supports short-term needs, but trees are now his long-term plan for stability.

“I still grow maize,” he says, “but I also wanted something that can support me in the long term.”

Learning a new way of farming

Akena is among hundreds of farmers in Lamwo who were trained under ECOTRUST’s community forestry model. For him, the biggest change came not from the seedlings he received, but from what he learned about how to manage them.

“We were trained on weed management after planting,” he explains. “We learned that weeds compete with tree seedlings for sunlight, water, and nutrients, especially in the first two years.”

Farmers were taught practical methods such as spot weeding and ring weeding, where only the area around each seedling is cleared instead of the whole garden. The idea, according to ECOTRUST, is to reduce labour while protecting young trees during their most vulnerable stage.

They were also trained in safe chemical use, including herbicides for weed control and pesticides such as Tamidoc, used to fight termites that often destroy young seedlings.

For him, these lessons turned tree planting from guesswork into a planned farming system.

According to Denis Emmanuel Oweka, ECOTRUST Regional Coordinator for West Nile and North East, the choice of tree species is based on both science and market demand.

Unlike ordinary eucalyptus that comes from seeds, clonal eucalyptus is artificially developed and grows faster. He says the key difference is time to harvest.

“If a normal eucalyptus takes about seven years, clonal eucalyptus can take between three to five years.”

The difference lies in the root system. While traditional eucalyptus develops deep tap roots, clonal varieties grow lateral roots near the surface, allowing faster absorption of nutrients from decomposing organic matter. This speeds up growth and shortens the rotation period.

This explains why many farmers prefer clonal eucalyptus. It also gives faster returns.

Alongside eucalyptus, farmers also plant Tectona grandis, commonly known as teak or Sudanese teak. Unlike eucalyptus, teak grows slowly but produces high-value timber.

“Tectona takes about 8 to 15 years depending on management,” Oweka says. “But it produces strong, high-quality timber.”

Farming trees as a business. For ECOTRUST and its partners, the message to farmers is that tree growing must be treated as a business, not a side activity.

Steve Amooti Nsita, Director of Technical Services at Havilah Company Ltd, says early results from Lamwo show promise.

“These trees have been good. Most of them are alive,” he says. “But farmers must treat this as a business if they are to benefit.”

He explains that the IFPA-CD Woodlots model is designed for pure tree stands, not mixed cropping.

He added that when trees are mixed with crops, the spacing changes and the number of trees reduces, hence reducing the economic return.

Under the project, farmers follow a 3 by 3 metre spacing, allowing about 450 trees per acre for maximum productivity.

Nsita adds that the benefits go beyond income.

“When you increase vegetation cover, you protect the soil and improve the local climate. The land becomes cooler.”

The hard work behind young forests

One of the most important lessons Akena learned is that trees require close attention, especially in the early years.

He learnt that if weeds are not controlled early, they take water, light, and nutrients from the seedlings, which explains why early management is very important.

Akena, among other farmers, were trained to weed regularly during the first two years using efficient methods like ring weeding to reduce labour while protecting growth.

They were also trained in proper planting techniques such as lining and pitting, which help ensure correct spacing and allow farmers to easily track the number of trees in a garden.

For Akena, this knowledge has changed how he views his farm.

“Now I know how to manage the trees properly,” he says. “Before, I didn’t understand these things.”

The IFPA-CD Woodlots Programme, funded by the World Bank and the Government of Uganda, is being implemented in 19 districts across northern and western Uganda. It aims to establish nearly 10,000 hectares of small-scale commercial woodlots.

For 27 years, ECOTRUST has worked with communities across Uganda to promote sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience, and livelihoods.

What was once a heavily degraded forest in Rwentumba Village, Kimanya Parish, Masindi District, is slowly coming back to life. Thanks to the efforts of the Rwentumba Communal Land Association (CLA) in protecting the Rwentumba community forest while earning an income through modern beekeeping, as supported by The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST).

The association was formed after communities living around the forest were mobilised and sensitised about the importance of conserving natural forests. Residents were encouraged to work together to restore the degraded forest instead of continuing to clear it for farming (sugarcane plantation).

Today, the community manages about 280 acres of forest, which is named after River Rwentumba, a small tributary that eventually feeds into Lake Albert.

According to Christopher Byamukama, the Project Coordinator of the Rwentumba Communal Land Association, the community understood that restoring the forest would take time, so they needed an activity that could provide income while protecting the environment.

“When we looked at tree planting, we realised the benefits would take many years because trees need 10 to 15 years to mature. We needed something that could give us income earlier while encouraging us to conserve the forest,” said Byamukama.

With support from ECOTRUST through the Mobilising More 4 Climate (MoMo4C), the association explored several livelihood options, including fish farming and tree nurseries. After careful consideration, members chose beekeeping.

“We selected beekeeping because it required less investment, we already had some basic knowledge, and the forest provides plenty of flowers and plants that bees need for food,” Byamukama explained.

The journey started in 2020 when the group received 10 Kenya Top Bar (KTB) beehives and training in modern beekeeping. Although they initially faced challenges with termites destroying the wooden hive stands, additional training helped the farmers improve hive management and protect their equipment.

Later, in 2023, the association received 100 modern Langstroth hives, bringing the total to 110 hives.

Byamukama says the Langstroth hives have greatly improved honey production.

“The Langstroth hives are easier to inspect, easier to harvest, and they produce honey much faster. On average, one hive can produce about 10 kilograms of honey every harvest, and we harvest after every three months,” he said.

ECOTRUST also trained members on proper honey harvesting, processing and storage to ensure the honey meets quality standards.

Instead of using traditional methods that often destroyed bee colonies, farmers now use protective clothing, smokers, and honey extractors to harvest honey safely without harming the bees.

“Everything we are doing today is knowledge we received through the training. We learnt how to manage the bees, harvest clean honey and store it properly to maintain quality,” Byamukama added.

After harvesting, the honey is filtered, packed in clean white jerrycans and stored on raised wooden platforms to prevent moisture from affecting its quality.

The association has also secured a reliable market through a partnership between ECOTRUST and The Hive Limited, which buys the community’s honey and supplies it to consumers.

Umar Buyinza, who works with The Hive Limited, says the partnership has helped farmers move beyond production to accessing a dependable market.

“The partnership started with providing hives, equipment and training. Today, the farmers also have a ready market because they supply their honey to The Hive Limited,” Buyinza said.

Beyond improving household incomes, the project has brought visible environmental benefits. Community members say rainfall has improved, water levels in nearby rivers have increased, and wildlife is gradually returning to the restored forest.

Christopher recalls that restoring the forest required cooperation from many landowners who agreed to give up portions of their land for conservation.

“People understood that conserving the forest would benefit everyone. It was a win-win situation because we restored the forest while still allowing families to use part of their land,” he said.

Today, the Rwentumba Communal Land Association demonstrates that conservation and livelihoods can go hand in hand. By protecting their forest and embracing sustainable beekeeping, the community is creating a healthier environment while building a more secure future for generations to come.

The Transformative Approach to Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods (TASLL) in Northern Uganda project, implemented by ECOTRUST with funding from the UK International Development and other partners, is proving that protecting the environment can be transformed into a highly profitable, self-sustaining agribusiness. As the project comes to a close, thousands of businesses and farmers will continue to benefit from the support provided by the project.

The TASLL Northern Uganda project targeted the critical conservation of over 65,548 hectares of natural forest in the Agoro-Agu landscape, an area in the Acholi East sub-region spanning the Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, and Agago districts. To combat local deforestation, the project set out to sustainably reforest 15,000 hectares by planting 6 million native trees, intentionally extending these restoration efforts into refugee-hosting communities.

By combining technical capacity building, quality tree seedlings and direct market links, the project has fundamentally shifted the economic realities for smallholder farmers. Local groups and independent entrepreneurs have been trained to run green businesses such as sustainable tree nurseries, beekeeping enterprises, and Shea butter production, allowing them to grow financially while creating jobs for their neighbours.

For Kidega Moses, a resident of Labong Akwang parish in Kitgum, the project was exactly what he needed to grow his business.

“I already had a passion for raising seedlings, but I lacked technical knowledge to scale up,” says Kidega. ECOTRUST stepped in at the perfect time to bridge the gap. Through their support and training at Namanve Seed Centre, I was able to get access to quality seeds, which helped me scale up my business. Today, knowing that my nursery has directly contributed to the thousands of trees planted in our community is proof that landscape restoration can be a powerful business.”

Today, Kidega has been able to grow his business, acquire technical knowledge, employ 2 permanent workers, and over 10 part-time workers to support the nursery.

He has earned over UGX 25 million from the 51,000 seedlings sold in 2025 & 2026, and has plans to scale up.

While planting commercial or indigenous woodlots offers immense long-term financial security, with returns after over 20 years, smallholder farmers face immediate daily economic pressures. To address this, long-term environmental equity is combined with short-term livelihood components. With this, the project ensures that rural families maintain financial resilience throughout the lifecycle of their woodlots.

Ogaba Sisto, a 52-year-old, is one of the 97 farmers who planted trees under the TASLL project in Lugwar Paris, Labong Akwang Subcounty in Kitgum district. Under the program, he planted 600 Tectona trees, commonly known as black teak, which he integrated with cassava, millet, groundnuts, maize, and sim sim.

For farmers like Sisto, the integrated crops provide income to sustain their livelihood as they wait for the trees to grow and benefit from them later on in life.

“I have to admit, before today, I didn’t have a single stem of a tree planted under my name,” says Bosco Oket Yot, the LC3 LabongKwang. But after visiting the field and seeing what farmers like Sisto & Moses are achieving, especially with the sale of 51,000 seedlings, something shifted my mind. I have been inspired. I am now declaring that I am going to become a tree farmer myself. I want to challenge all other leaders and stakeholders here today to lead by example and start planting trees in our communities.”

During a visit to the beneficiaries, Among Catherine, the Assistant CAO, Pader District, stressed the importance of integration of projects.

“The success we are seeing on the ground is a testimony to a strong partnership, but the challenge for us as leaders now is to ensure integration,’ Among says. We need to actively connect these farmers to initiatives like PDM and micro-scale irrigation. If a maize farmer can irrigate both their food crops and their trees, we ensure year-round productivity. Integration is the ultimate key to chasing poverty out of our households and achieving sustainable development.”

“We are suffering because of our own actions,” says William Komaketch, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Lamwo District, one of the districts in which the project is implemented. 40% of our rain is generated locally from trees, lakes, and swamps, but we have destroyed them, and now the weather is failing us. Planting trees is an excellent long-term goal, but a farmer cannot keep a tree while waiting 25 or 30 years for it to mature. If we want to move our people to prosperity, conservation must be paired with immediate livelihood components.”

As key implementing partners of the project, ECOTRUST laid out plans to sustainably boost the livelihoods of these farmers even further.

“We are planning to construct a Beekeeping centre of excellence in Pader, and honey collection centres in Lamwo and Agago districts, says Gerald Kairu, the Head of Programs at ECOTRUST. The intention is to support people to improve their livelihoods.”

By demonstrating that landscape restoration can be managed as a highly structured, profitable business, the TASLL project aimed at more than just planting trees. It is building a self-reliant group of rural green entrepreneurs who are proving that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity go hand in hand.

For a long time, Lakisa Oliver’s world was defined by a sewing machine as the main source of revenue. As a tailor in Alenyo North Village, located in Uganda’s Lamwo District, her income was entirely dependent on the next clothing order.

While tailoring provided a modest livelihood, relying on a single, seasonal trade kept true financial security just out of reach. In rural Northern Uganda, where economic vulnerabilities run high, relying on one basket for all your eggs is a risky venture.

Oliver’s trajectory completely shifted when she joined the Pur en Teko-Wa farmer listeners’ group for the Farmers Voice Radio, an initiative by the Environmental Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) to enable rural communities to access, share, and apply relevant knowledge in order to improve their livelihoods.

In a remarkable span of just seven months, Oliver transformed herself from a village tailor into a powerhouse of sustainable agribusiness, a champion of value addition, and an influential leader within her community. Her journey stands as a masterclass in how access to information can ignite rapid economic empowerment.

The foundational lesson Oliver gained from the Pur en Teko-Wa radio program was the critical importance of economic diversification.

“When one has multiple sources of income, they get more money and improve their lives significantly,” Oliver explains. “This is why I am investing every amount of money that I get into more agribusinesses to expand my sources of income.”

Driven by this new philosophy, Oliver expanded her economic footprint far beyond her tailoring shop. She dove headfirst into agriculture, cultivating sim sim and sunflowers, while simultaneously launching a poultry farming enterprise. By spreading her economic activities across textiles, crop farming, and livestock, she built a resilient financial safety net that protects her household against market fluctuations and seasonal droughts.

Oliver did not just stop at growing crops; she revolutionised how she sold them. In many rural communities, farmers lose significant profits by selling their raw produce immediately after harvest when market prices are at their lowest.

Through her listeners’ group, Oliver learned the principles of value addition, the process of changing a raw agricultural product into something high-value and consumer-ready.

Instead of selling her raw sim sim seeds, Oliver began processing and packaging them into rich, high-quality sim sim paste. Even in small quantities, these neatly packaged jars are sold at a price of UG 1,000 each, generating higher profit margins compared to wholesale grain.

She applies the same entrepreneurial mindset to her sunflower harvest, processing the seeds to extract pure, organic sunflower oil during the peak seasons.

The increased cash flow from these processed goods is immediately directed into a strategic loop where she saves a portion and reinvests the rest directly back into expanding her production.

Oliver’s success is deeply rooted in her adoption of modern, climate-smart farming techniques. In Northern Uganda, widespread bush burning has traditionally been used to clear fields, a practice that inadvertently destroys vital soil nutrients and organic matter. Through the radio program, Oliver learned the science of proper waste management and land clearing, discovering how to manage agricultural residues to preserve soil moisture and boost crop yields.

Her newfound knowledge also extended to forestry. Oliver has planted over 700 trees covering two acres of her land. This agroforestry initiative serves as a long-term green investment, with the trees earmarked to produce high-value poles and timber that will secure her financial future for years to come.

Crucially, Oliver’s education did not remain trapped on her own plots. She became an active information hub, passing down vital agricultural insights to her family and relatives.

Her husband, who operates a tree nursery business in Lamwo, became one of her most successful students. Oliver influenced him to shift his sourcing strategies toward high-yield, high-quality seedlings, a move that immediately upgraded the health and profitability of his commercial nursery enterprise.

True financial sustainability requires smart saving and market leverage. To secure her earnings, Oliver joined the Pur en Teko-Wa Savings Group, a community financial collective where members contribute money regularly and receive rotating payouts to boost their businesses. It was through this structured saving mechanism that she accumulated the capital needed to purchase day-old chicks, systematically scaling up her poultry farm.

As her yields continue to climb, she plans to team up with the farmers in her group to aggregate their produce and sell it in bulk.

Oliver recognises that while an isolated farmer is often at the mercy of middlemen, a unified group can bypass exploitative supply chains, command higher market prices, and easily attract large-scale buyers.

Lakisa’s seven-month transformation proves that when a woman is armed with the right knowledge and financial tools, she doesn’t just improve her own life; she uplifts her entire family and alters the economic landscape of her community.

If you’ve been following national news and events, you’ve probably noticed that barely a few months pass without another climate walk, tree-planting campaign, or environmental award. Sustainability summits and youth innovation challenges have become common. Schools compete to showcase the greenest campus, banks sponsor conservation drives, NGOs fund climate competitions, and government agencies continue to organise environmental awareness events across the country.

Just recently, Adjumani topped the IFPA-CD Woodlots Programme; Northern Uganda was reflecting on its way forward following the Transformative Approach to Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods (TASLL) project.

We’ve all seen the activities. But why? Why has climate action seemingly moved from the sidelines to the centre of national conversation?

Let’s start with dear Uganda. We have witnessed increasingly unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells with hotter days, devastating floods when it finally rains, landslides in mountainous regions, and rising temperatures. Agriculture, which supports millions of Ugandans through livelihoods and food production, depends heavily on predictable weather patterns. As those patterns become increasingly unreliable, the economic and social consequences become impossible to ignore.

But while climate change provides the urgency, it is not the only force, or even the main reason behind the surge in environmental activities.

Uganda has also committed itself to several national and international climate frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and national climate policies. These commitments increasingly shape government planning, donor funding and institutional priorities in Uganda. They are also a major reason climate-related initiatives now appear across nearly every sector, not just environmental organisations.

The Sustainable Development Goals
If you’ve attended a climate conference or even a school tree-planting exercise recently, you’ve probably noticed a colourful circular logo with 17 segments. That’s the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and once you notice it, you begin seeing it almost everywhere.

Adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals serve as a global blueprint for achieving a more sustainable future by 2030. They go beyond environmental protection to include education, poverty, health, gender equality, clean energy, economic growth and responsible consumption.

Climate action is only one of those goals. In reality, a single environmental activity often contributes to several SDGs simultaneously. For example, a single tree-planting exercise contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by absorbing carbon emissions, SDG 15 (Life on Land) by restoring forests and biodiversity, SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by protecting watersheds, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through urban greening, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together governments, businesses, schools and civil society.

This is why so many organisations, from universities and financial institutions to local governments and NGOs, have taken up environmental campaigns. They are not simply planting trees; they are contributing to internationally recognised development goals.

There is Funding in Climate Projects
Another reason for the rise in climate initiatives is funding. Across the world, governments, development agencies and philanthropic organisations are investing billions of dollars in climate resilience, environmental restoration and sustainable development.

Projects that align with the SDGs and national climate priorities are increasingly attractive to donors and development partners. As a result, NGOs are designing more climate-focused programmes, universities are applying for green research grants, community organisations are developing environmental projects, and local governments are integrating climate action into development plans.

Global Markets Are Raising the Bar
Beyond funding, international expectations are also influencing environmental action. As global markets place greater emphasis on sustainability, countries and businesses face increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible environmental practices. Exporters seeking access to markets such as the European Union face stricter environmental and supply chain standards, while international investors are paying closer attention to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance before committing capital.

Development banks and multinational companies are likewise encouraging climate-conscious policies and operations. Although these expectations are not the sole driver of Uganda’s environmental initiatives, they reinforce the idea that sustainability is no longer optional but increasingly a requirement for remaining competitive in the global economy.

Businesses Are Turning Green Too
Not long ago, corporate social responsibility often meant donating to schools or supporting community events. Today, sustainability has become a major part of corporate identity.

Banks sponsor tree-planting drives, telecom companies invest in environmental campaigns, manufacturers promote recycling initiatives, and real estate developers highlight green building practices. While some organisations are motivated by genuine environmental concern, others recognise that consumers, investors and international partners increasingly expect businesses to demonstrate responsible environmental practices.

In reality, these motivations often overlap. Doing good for the environment is becoming good for business…so to speak.

Young People Are Leading the Conversation
Perhaps the most noticeable change is who is driving the movement. Young Ugandans are no longer just participants; they are the organisers, innovators and advocates behind many climate change and green movements.

Climate innovation competitions, environmental clubs, university research programmes and youth-led organisations are becoming increasingly common. Social media has also boosted climate awareness, allowing young activists and organisations to inspire participation beyond traditional environmental circles. Many students today grow up learning about climate change as part of their education, making environmental responsibility feel less like an obligation and more like a shared responsibility.

But Are These Campaigns Making a Difference?
This is perhaps the most important question. Tree-planting photographs often dominate headlines, but what happens after the cameras leave? How many seedlings survive beyond the first year? Are degraded wetlands genuinely restored? Do climate awareness campaigns change behaviour? Are businesses reducing their environmental footprint beyond symbolic events?

Climate action is now intertwined with agriculture, education, business, urban planning, public health and economic development. Behind many of these initiatives is the recognition that environmental sustainability is essential to national progress, and that the Sustainable Development Goals provide a shared roadmap for achieving it.

For many, retirement means slowing down. But for Oken Joseph, a former soldier residing in Kaliro Village in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda, hanging up the uniform in 2015 marked the beginning of sustainable agriculture.

Today, Joseph is not just a farmer; he is an environmental steward, an entrepreneur, and a role model for his community. Through hard work and strategic partnerships, he has transformed his land into a thriving multi-income ecosystem.

Joseph’s agricultural evolution took a massive leap forward through his involvement with ECOTRUST, which provided him with 100 mahogany seedlings and invaluable training that shifted his entire approach to the land.

He has gained knowledge across a wide range of essential disciplines, including sustainable land management practices such as afforestation, soil fertility and conservation, integrated crop and livestock management, and socio-economic skills and gender-related dynamics.

Beyond field training, Joseph became an avid contributor to the Pur em Tekowo radio show on Jambo FM. This platform enabled him to interact directly with agricultural experts, sharpening his skills and inspiring him to build a resilient farm with multiple revenue streams.

Oken’s farm perfectly shows how agroforestry works by combining trees, crops, and livestock on the same land.

He nurtures a flourishing woodlot of over 700 trees, including black teak, mangoes, and his newly planted mahogany. He doesn’t let the space between these trees go to waste; instead, he practices smart intercropping by growing beans within the forested areas and integrating beehives for honey production.

One of Joseph’s biggest revelations was learning the hidden dangers of bush burning, a traditional method he once used to clear crop residues.

“When I was practising bush burning, I noticed that all the living organisms in the soil were gone, and the colour of my plants was changing for the worse,” Joseph recalls.

Today, he and his children work together to lay crop residues back into the garden as mulch. As these materials rot, they form nutrient-rich humus and keep the soil moist. Furthermore, he has adopted crop rotation and learned to match specific crops to the soil types best suited for them, drastically increasing his yields.

In the past, farming on sloped land was a guessing game. Now, equipped with modern conservation skills, Joseph utilises contour ploughing on hillsides to prevent soil erosion and retain vital water on his plots.

True sustainability is economic as well as environmental. By applying his financial training, Joseph joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) formed by his ECOTRUST farmer group. This collective financial empowerment allows members to pool resources, with two members receiving a rotating payout monthly to boost their enterprises.

With his improved yields and savings, Joseph has successfully diversified into livestock, steadily growing a piggery and introducing cattle to his farm.

The ultimate measure of Joseph’s success is his ability to provide for his family. He currently pays school fees for eight children, six of his own, alongside his sister and a close relative.

When cash flow is tight, Joseph’s resourcefulness shines through a barter system with the local school to cover the children’s school fees.

“Sometimes, it is my produce that enables me to pay school fees. When I don’t have cash, I give beans to the school administration, and in turn, the children receive an education.” Oken says

Perhaps the most profound transformation occurred within his own household. The gender-awareness component of his training completely reshaped how he interacts with his family.

“I now sit with my wife and discuss important issues. This has limited the number of arguments at home. I even interact differently with my children. They are free with me; I dropped the soldier attitude towards them.” Oken says.

By replacing military rigidity with open dialogue, Oken has fostered a peaceful, collaborative environment where his wife and children work alongside him as true partners in the family business.

While tree planting is a long-term game that often discourages impatient farmers, Joseph looks at the bigger picture. To him, trees are a permanent bank account for the planet and his lineage.

“Most people discouraged me from planting trees since they take long to grow. However, I believe that they will benefit my family members even when I am not around. They also positively impact the environment.” Oken says.

Oken’s transformation has proven that with the right knowledge, an open mind, and a dedication to the earth, a farmer can secure both his family’s future and environmental sustainability.

For 27 years, the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) has been at the forefront of national restoration efforts, championing tree-planting initiatives across the country. However, planting trees is only the beginning; ensuring they stay standing requires a sustainable approach.

To bridge the gap between conservation and daily survival, ECOTRUST employs a powerful threefold strategy aimed at empowering community members to create eco-friendly businesses that generate income while the forests mature. By transforming conservation into a viable source of livelihood, local communities no longer have to rely on deforestation to survive.

In Northern Uganda, this vision is coming to life through two local collectives: the Acung Kedi Beekeeping Group and Orii United Beekeeping Group. Recently, these groups underwent intensive training designed to help them map out both collective business goals and individual life aspirations.

Using the Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) structured approach, ECOTRUST ensured that both men and women were equally involved in drawing up their Vision Road Journeys. This inclusive tool allows community members to create clear, long-term sustainability goals, identify potential opportunities and structural challenges, develop practical, community-led solutions, and monitor and assess their own progress over time.

By centring women in these discussions, the program directly tackles deep-rooted myths and gender barriers. Traditional beekeeping has historically sidelined women due to the heavy, labour-intensive nature of hanging traditional hives high in trees. The GALS framework ensures women have an equal seat at the table as the community transitions to safer, more accessible modern technologies.

The logic behind the initiative is simple yet profound: give people a reason to value living trees over timber.

“It is very important for these farmers to have alternative livelihood options because most of them depend on the trees for charcoal, making traditional beehives, and clearing land for commercial farming,” explains Priscilla Nabuyemba, the Business Development Officer representing ECOTRUST.

“But if they have options to obtain income, such as beekeeping, while leaving the trees standing, it creates a win-win situation for the trees and the surrounding ecosystem,” She adds.

Northern Uganda’s natural environment is exceptionally well-suited for apiculture. To capitalise on this, ECOTRUST is partnering with Hive Uganda to help farmers transition from decades of subsistence-level traditional practices into a thriving, highly commercialised enterprise.

The next phase of the intervention involves hands-on, technical training. ECOTRUST experts will support the farmers in constructing model apiaries. These sites will feature a mix of both traditional and modern beehives, serving as living classrooms where farmers will learn the ins and outs of hive management, safe honey harvesting, the use of protective gear, post-harvest handling, and value addition.

However, establishing a communal business requires a solid foundation. Farmers were urged to carefully discuss and allocate land for these model apiaries to prevent future land disputes that could disrupt their progress.

Fortunately, the community spirit is strong. Stephen Ojok, the secretary of the Acung Kedi Beekeeping Group, noted that the training reshaped his entire outlook.

“By learning about the vision road journey, I now have a vision to upgrade from local beehives to modern ones, and to build a permanent house to replace my grass-thatched home,” Ojok shares.

Demonstrating his commitment, Ojok has offered up his own land for the project. “The land here is customary, so I do not think we will face disputes. I personally have land that I am willing to provide for the business.”

The impact of this training is already rippling through individual households. Christine Abalo, another member of the Acung Kedi group, eyes a brighter, more independent future.

“The training has enabled me to get knowledge that I will apply in the future. I believe that I will also be in a position to establish my personal business in addition to the group enterprise. This will help reduce the rate of poverty at home,” Abalo says.

Originally brought together by ECOTRUST under the Transformative Approach to Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods (TASLL) Project in Northern Uganda to promote planting of native trees in the region as simple tree growers, the members quickly realised the economic power of solidarity. As a collective, they anticipate much stronger market accessibility and better bargaining power for their premium honey products.

ECOTRUST’s commitment to these farmers remains long-term. Through continuous technical guidance, modern technology integration, and direct links to lucrative markets, this initiative is proving that communities don’t have to choose between earning a living and protecting the planet.

As the Transformative Approach to Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods (TASLL) project officially winds down, key implementation partners recently gathered for a high-level stakeholder engagement to review achievements, evaluate challenges, and secure a robust sustainability plan.

The TASLL Northern Uganda project targeted the critical conservation of over 65,548 hectares of natural forest in the Agoro-Agu landscape, an area in the Acholi sub-region spanning Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, and Agago districts. To combat local deforestation, the project set out to sustainably reforest 15,000 hectares by planting 6 million native trees, intentionally extending these restoration efforts into refugee-hosting communities.

While the sudden end of funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) was a major talking point at the engagement meeting, ECOTRUST leadership made it clear that such contingencies are always incorporated into project design.

“We received word from the donor that they are unlikely to provide additional funding,” noted Freddie Kalibwani, representing ECOTRUST. “However, the design of this project already anticipated its conclusion. We prepared for this exit strategy, and our message today is clear: we are ready. How do you exit a forestry project? You stay with your trees. We are going nowhere because the trees are right here. We are now transitioning from TASLL to Trees for Global Benefit (TGB), falling back on our mother program. Projects may come and go, but we remain. We are committed to staying by the side of these households for another 25 years.”

This structural shift moves local farmers into ECOTRUST’s long-running Trees for Global Benefit (TGB) program. Gerald Kairu, the Head of Programmes at ECOTRUST, emphasised that local communities will receive full support throughout this next phase.

“We are ensuring that the activities don’t stop here; they continue,” Kairu explained. “That’s why we call it transiting from the donor-funded FCDO to the ECOTRUST-supported Trees for Global Benefit project. We are still around, so we shall continue supporting these farmers until they join the carbon project. They sign what they call the carbon sales contracts, not land contracts.”

Over its two-year implementation cycle, the project achieved remarkable milestones across the landscape, conducting home visits to digitally map 5,000 farmers, training 22 local tree nursery operators, and planting a total of 508,820 trees including naturalised species like teak (Tectona grandis) alongside nutritional fruit trees such as jackfruit and avocado.

To drive the adoption of indigenous species, the team conducted 45 community meetings, resulting in the planting of 416,488 native trees across 1,041.22 hectares. Continuous digital tree-tracking proved highly successful, revealing that an exceptional 98.6% of the trees monitored from the 2025 planting season were in good, healthy condition.

Beyond environmental restoration, the project placed a heavy emphasis on social inclusion and household economic resilience. Using Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) tools, 3,430 community members comprising 2,227 males and 1,203 females were trained in collaborative land-use planning.

ECOTRUST is also moving quickly to establish market-based sustainability enterprises, such as apiculture and shea value chain enterprises, to boost immediate household incomes while communities wait for long-term carbon yields.

“We want to construct a centre of excellence in Pader and honey collection centres in Lamwo and Agago,” Kairu highlighted. “The intention is to support our people to improve their livelihood. There’s nothing else to benefit from this; the moment you improve somebody’s livelihood, you have done your job.”

To guarantee long-term success, sustainability arrangements will be integrated with District Local Government development plans, working closely with technical and political teams, including; Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), District Forest Officers (DFOs), District Community Development Officers (DCDOs), Local Council 3 and 5 chairpersons, as well as the National Forestry Authority (NFA), and the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE).

“We are deeply grateful for this project because it has directly contributed to our targets in the District Development Plan, particularly in establishing woodlots and boosting local livelihoods,” said Richard Ociti, the Lamwo District Environmental Officer and project focal person. “The milestones achieved so far are remarkable. Moving forward, our focus is to continue supporting our beneficiary groups to ensure these benefits are sustained, while empowering others to learn and reap as much as they can from this initiative.”

Proscovia Kisembo, the Regional Coordinator for the project, expressed profound gratitude to this institutional network for their unwavering support since the initiative’s inception in 2024.

“I would like to thank the district leadership that has worked with us since 2024, with support towards the mobilisation of farmers to participate in the project, supply of seedlings, and monitoring of the planted trees,” Kisembo said. “We look forward to working with the leaders as we head towards the transition.”

While physical project offices in Agago, Lamwo, and Pader will close to streamline costs, operations are consolidating into the regional Kitgum hub, ensuring that the environmental and economic roots planted over the last two years remain permanently anchored in the community.

In the remote villages of the Agoro-Agu Landscape in Northern Uganda, radio is proving to be a significant tool for social transformation. Through the Transformative Approaches to Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods (TASLL) Project, implemented by ECOTRUST with funding from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), rural communities are tapping into the power of the Farmers’ Voice Radio (FVR) methodology, using short focused radio broadcasts, interactive call-ins, and community group meetings to share vital knowledge and find solutions to common social, economic, environmental, and technical challenges in their societies.

The Farmers’ Voice Radio methodology, designed by the Lorna Young Foundation (LYF), is a participatory radio intervention that provides accessible, farmer-led content particularly in remote areas where communities lack access to extension support and training interventions.

Lapat Jimmy, the Chairman of the Mar-Lonyo Group in Kitgum district, is a leader whose journey from fragmented farming to a thriving enterprise showcases the profound impact of Farmers’ Voice Radio (FVR). Through consistent listening, structured accountability, and a willingness to innovate, he has not only redefined his household’s financial trajectory but has also galvanised an entire community toward a sustainable, collective future.

Before the introduction of the FVR program – Mar-Lonyo – which translates to “Love is Wealth,” Lapat was no stranger to hard work, having already participated in forestry. However, passion without technical expertise often leads to disappointing results. He lacked the fundamental knowledge required to properly manage his woodlots, a gap that frequently resulted in damaged trees and severe financial losses.

The turning point came through FVR’s dedicated modules on silviculture and modern agroforestry. Through the program, he mastered the precise techniques of pruning, learning how to cleanly remove branches to encourage straight, high-value timber growth without causing structural or disease-inducing damage to the trees.

Beyond forestry, the radio program challenged deeply ingrained environmental habits. Like many in the region, the standard practice for clearing agricultural debris was burning, a method that destroys soil microorganisms and releases harmful carbon into the atmosphere. FVR introduced a shift toward sustainable waste management.

Instead of setting fire to crop residues, Lapat learned to aggregate organic waste, allowing it to naturally decompose into nutrient-rich humus. This practice has restored his soil fertility, retained critical moisture, and boosted his overall crop yields.

The economic rewards of adopting these evidence-based practices were swift and life-changing. As his agricultural production soared, his profit margins expanded dramatically.

This income enabled him to secure his family’s long-term financial security through three major investments, including land to expand his agricultural footprint and scale up production; a grinding machine to establish a localised agro-processing hub and capture value within the community; and a motorbike to overcome rural transport challenges and move goods easily.

Crucially, this financial growth was accompanied by a powerful shift in household gender dynamics. The radio program’s regular focus on family inclusivity and gender-smart business management deeply altered his perspective on partnership.

Rather than managing the family finances in isolation, he actively integrated his wife into the core of the agribusiness. Today, she spearheads the farm’s value-addition initiatives, transforming dried sim sim (sesame seeds) into high-demand, profitable sim sim cakes. This collaborative approach has not only diversified their income streams but has permanently cemented his belief that true agricultural wealth relies on the active, respected involvement of women.

As a leader, the Chairman’s personal success is directly intertwined with the progress of the Mar-Lonyo Group. Under his guidance, the group has transitioned from a simple social gathering into a structured economic powerhouse.

A foundational lesson that revolutionised their operations was the concept of collective farming and bulk marketing. Historically, individual smallholders in the region faced severe exploitation by middlemen due to low individual volumes. By organising the group to aggregate their harvests and sell in bulk, they successfully bypassed predatory brokers, commanded significantly higher market prices, and unlocked previously inaccessible commercial markets.

To maintain this momentum and ensure continuous learning, the group meets monthly through sessions that are highly prioritised by the community.

“The farmers make it a point to attend the monthly meeting to meet and discuss the topics that are important to them and other farmers in the region,” the Chairman notes. These gatherings serve as a vital forum to address critical cross-cutting issues, ranging from sustainable land management and tree planting to deep conversations surrounding Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

What sets the Mar-Lonyo Group apart is its rigorous approach to knowledge retention. To bridge the gap between hearing advice and implementing it, every farmer maintains a reflective diary.

These diaries serve as localised tracking tools, ensuring that members implement the agricultural techniques discussed each month. This structured accountability framework guarantees that the knowledge broadcast over the radio translates into practical, measurable improvements on the ground.

As the formal Farmers’ Voice Radio program prepares to wrap up its broadcast cycle in June, many might worry about the sustainability of these rural initiatives. However, the Mar-Lonyo Group has built a foundation designed to outlast any external funding.

To ensure their long-term unity and financial independence, the group has established a shared commercial enterprise called Mar-Lonyo Beekeeping. This communal apiary business serves a dual purpose: it generates a steady stream of collective revenue and acts as a permanent social anchor that keeps the group bound together.

Looking forward, the group is preparing to transition from an informal association into a legally recognised entity. “We shared phone contacts of each other, and this business will enable us to always meet and discuss important issues that will help us to grow,” the Chairman explains. “We are in plans of having it formally registered.”

Through the power of targeted radio programming, the Chairman has seen his social standing elevate to one of deep community respect. More importantly, he has helped to lead the group for rural prosperity, one where environmental stewardship, economic unity, and family partnership ensure that the Mar-Lonyo Group will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Communities across northern and western Uganda are beginning to experience the benefits of the Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project, an initiative implemented by NIRAS International Consulting and its consortium partners, the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), Green Life International and Havilla Company Limited, under the Ministry of Water and Environment with funding from the World Bank.

The project, which came to an end on 30th June 2026, was being implemented in 19 districts, with the aim of restoring degraded landscapes while improving household incomes through commercial tree growing. The districts included: Adjumani, Amuru, Lamwo, Obongi, Moyo, Arua, Koboko, Yumbe, Madi-Okollo, Kiryandongo, Hoima, Kagadi, Kikuube, Kibaale, Kakumiro, Kyegegwa, Kitagwenda, Kyenjojo and Kamwenge.

Working closely with district and sub-county local governments, the project has identified interested farmers and supported them with quality tree seedlings and technical guidance. Farmers have voluntarily offered land ranging from 0.25 hectares to nearly 10 hectares for tree planting.

Although the project was originally designed to run for several years, it was implemented over nine months, prompting the consortium and the Ministry of Water and Environment to focus on achieving 40% of the overall target area. Despite the shorter implementation period, several districts have surpassed their targets, with Adjumani, Amuru and Yumbe recording remarkable performance.

Besides supplying seedlings, the project has emphasised proper land preparation, quality standards and farmer participation. Communities have been trained in the importance of planting the right tree species, preparing planting pits and managing their woodlots to ensure high survival rates and long-term benefits.

According to Deziderius Irumba, Community Engagement Expert at NIRAS International, the project has generated strong interest among communities, with many people continuing to register even after the exercise had officially closed.

“One of the biggest impacts we have seen is the enthusiasm among communities. People have embraced tree growing because they understand its value. We have also ensured quality standards and prepared farmers properly so that the trees planted can provide lasting benefits to families and reduce pressure on natural forests,” said Irumba.

He explained that the project has introduced a different approach from previous initiatives by ensuring that farmers willingly participate, select tree species based on their needs and are digitally mapped to simplify monitoring and future support. The project has also promoted family ownership of woodlots, which is expected to strengthen sustainability.

In addition to supporting livelihoods, the project has promoted environmental conservation by encouraging communities to plant trees for timber, poles and firewood, thereby reducing dependence on natural forests while contributing to climate change mitigation.

Inclusiveness has also been a major priority. NIRAS has intentionally worked to ensure that women, youth, older persons and persons with disabilities participate in the project. Through gender assessments, training and awareness campaigns, the project has created opportunities for vulnerable groups to benefit from tree growing.

Nagawa Gladys, Gender and Safeguarding Expert at NIRAS International, said the project has exceeded its target for women beneficiaries.

“Our target was to have women account for 10% of the beneficiaries, but we have reached 16%. We are also encouraging families to give women and young people access rights to land so that they can benefit from tree growing and improve the welfare of the entire household,” she said.

As part of the project’s efforts to promote environmental conservation, NIRAS and its partners recently joined Adjumani District Local Government to commemorate World Environment Day at Arinyapi Seed Secondary School. The school was selected because it is located in an open area with limited shade and is vulnerable to strong winds. District leaders and the school administration had also expressed the need for support to improve the school’s environment.

According to NIRAS, the trees planted at the school will provide shade, serve as windbreaks and create a better learning environment for students in the future.

With strong collaboration between NIRAS, ECOTRUST, Green Life International, Havilla Company Limited and local governments, the FPA-CD Project is demonstrating that restoring landscapes and improving livelihoods can go hand in hand. As communities continue to embrace tree growing, the initiative is laying the foundation for a greener and more resilient future for Uganda.

Adjumani District has emerged as the best-performing district under the recently closed Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Woodlots Programme, surpassing its five-year target and strengthening the supply of timber, poles, fuelwood and other plantation products in refugee-hosting communities.

Implemented by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Water and Environment with support from the World Bank, the programme seeks to improve sustainable forest management while creating economic opportunities and increasing tree cover in areas that host refugees.

According to project records, Adjumani had been allocated a target of establishing 368 hectares of woodlots over five years. However, the district exceeded expectations by establishing 544 hectares, making it the top performer among the districts covered under the programme.

Amuru District followed with 482 hectares against a target of 412 hectares, while Moyo surpassed its target of 184 hectares by establishing 219 hectares. Lamwo also registered impressive progress, achieving 291 hectares against a target of 255 hectares. Obongi District, which had the smallest target of 93 hectares, nearly doubled it by establishing 160 hectares.

The achievements come despite the programme experiencing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the time required to bring implementing partners on board. Although initially designed as a 5-year initiative beginning in 2020, implementation was delayed and eventually compressed into a shorter period.

Speaking about the project, Denis Emmanuel Oweka, Regional Coordinator for the IFPA-CD Project in the West Nile North-East region, said the programme was designed to support refugee-hosting communities through commercial tree growing while at the same time contributing to environmental conservation.

“The objective of the project is to supply timber, poles and firewood to refugee-hosting areas while also increasing tree cover and contributing to climate change mitigation,” he explained.

He noted that the growing demand for forest products in refugee settlements presents a ready market for farmers.

“We are looking at tree growing as a business. Communities living near refugee settlements have an opportunity to supply timber, poles and firewood directly to the camps, creating an additional source of income for households,” he said.

The programme is being implemented through a consortium comprising NIRAS, Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), Havilah Company Limited and Green Life International. ECOTRUST has taken the lead in community engagement, farmer mobilisation and training, helping farmers understand tree growing as a long-term investment.

Farmers under the programme have been trained in land preparation, proper spacing, pitting, weed management and pest control. They have also been guided through what the project calls a “Vision Road Journey,” enabling them to plan for the long-term benefits of commercial forestry.

The project has promoted fast-growing clonal eucalyptus species that mature within 3 to 5 years, providing farmers with quicker returns. In addition, farmers have planted Tectona grandis (Sudanese teak), which produces high-value timber and can mature within eight to fifteen years under good management.

Beyond generating income, the woodlots are expected to provide environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved air quality and increased resilience to climate change.

The exceptional performance recorded in Adjumani and other districts demonstrates the willingness of communities to embrace tree growing as a viable enterprise. It also highlights the growing importance of sustainable forestry in supporting livelihoods and addressing the increasing demand for forest products in refugee-hosting areas.

As the programme finally closed, its achievements leave behind a strong foundation for commercial forestry and environmental restoration, with Adjumani standing out as a model of what can be achieved through community participation and strategic partnerships.