Kasese and Rubirizi women groups receive Shs 300mln for climate adaptation
KASESE, February 19, 2025 — The World-Wide Fund for nature [WWF] in Uganda in partnership with International Institute for Sustainable Development [IISD] from Canada has handed over Shs 300 million to three women groups in Kasese and Rubirizi districts for climate adaptation.
According to Paul Hatanga, Project Coordinator for WWF, the initiative under Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas [CAPA] is intended to support women groups engaged in protecting and conserving wildlife, natural resources, and combating climate change in different communities across Uganda.
The money was delivered to the groups on Monday during the stakeholders’ meeting at Kyarumba Catholic Parish in Karwemera Village, Kyarumba Town Council Kasese District.
The beneficiaries include; Kyankwanzi Bakyara Tukorerehamwe Biika Oguze from Kichwamba SubCounty in Rubirizi district received Shs 106mln, Nyambuko Development Group from Kasese district received Shs 97mln and Bwitho Men and Women Group from Kasese district received Shs 97mln.
Hatanga said that they are targeting women groups to protect the wildlife and natural environment that is potentially targeted in different communities.
“We are giving resources to women to prioritize and strengthen community resilience to the effects of climate change. We are committed to support all successful groups, vulnerable communities who are at risk of protecting the environment in communities,” he noted.
Ali Happy, Communications Officer WWF said that their strategic plan is to focus on protecting diversity, reducing the human footprint and promoting sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
“One of the objectives is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and build a future where humans live in harmony with nature, focusing on conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable resources,” he said.
Happy added that their focus areas as WWF are forests, wildlife, climate energy, food and fresh water.
Monica Asiimwe, the Chairperson Kyankwanzi Bakyara Tukorerehamwe Biika oguze Group welcomed the financial support, saying that they will do the best to restore the degraded environment in the communities of Rubirizi.
“This support will help us to protect Queen Elizabeth national park from encroachment and protect tourism in the community, especially our water bodies in Rubirizi that have been greatly affected. Secondly, this funding will help us to grow in terms of business and income generating activities especially in marketing our art craft thus generating income for our families,” Asiimwe said.
Esawo Mulongo, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Rubirizi district also thanked WWF for supporting the communities to get out of poverty.
He advised the beneficiaries to put money given to them to proper use and also challenged them to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
“Thank you WWF for helping these communities to conserve the natural resources they entirely depend on and also for transforming the markets and policies towards sustainability,” Mulongo said.
The WWF has four pillars that include supporting the community, advocacy and empowerment of local communities to advocate for skills development, sustainable natural resource management, transforming collaboration and coordination committees, strengthening regional cooperation and governance mechanisms around natural resources management and safeguarding the integrity of the greater landscape.
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