By Grace Ademulegun
Women are leading the charge to fight climate change and repair degraded landscapes in Uganda’s Kasese area, where the Queen Elizabeth National Park meets the spectacular Rwenzori Mountains.
To combat the destructive effects of unpredictable rainfall and frequent flooding, these women are planting native trees under the direction of environmental activist Janet Nyakairu Abwoli.
Farming in this area has been disrupted over the last 20 years by erratic weather patterns and environmental degradation.
Evelyn Mugume, the environment officer for Kasese municipality, says, “We used to expect rains by August 15, but now they start in mid-September. Floods have become frequent, destroying homes and crops.”
The power of trees is Abwoli’s answer. She has been encouraging women to grow indigenous plants like Dracaena and Ficus for the past eight years.
These trees supply cattle with fodder, conserve moisture, protect crops from strong winds, and stop soil erosion. They also have medicinal and cultural significance for the Bakonzo population in the area.
According to Abwoli, “what I’m teaching isn’t new.” “Our ancestors engaged in it prior to the overtake of deforestation.”
Abwoli conducts workshops to teach women how to take care of trees with assistance from nearby nurseries, non-governmental organisations like WWF (World Wildlife Fund), and the local government.
Both symbolically and literally, her efforts are paying off. Some women get money by selling Dracaena leaves for medicinal uses, while others, like Jannet Kabugho, report increased crop harvests.
But there are still difficulties. Many families are unable to participate due to limited finances and the expensive cost of seedlings and watering equipment. “The upfront costs make it difficult, but we want to save our land and environment,” Abwoli says.
Change is being inspired by Abwoli’s endeavour in spite of these obstacles. Her legacy of environmental stewardship is being carried on by the participation of local authorities, educators, and even kids.
“Our community relies on women like Abwoli,” Mugume explains. “Their efforts demonstrate how native trees can improve damaged landscapes and increase climate change resilience.”
In addition to changing the landscape, the seedlings’ growth into forests sows the seeds of hope for Kasese’s sustainable future.
