These disasters were not just environmental; they tore at the social and economic fabric of communities. Soil erosion, rapid deforestation, and the creeping effects of climate change left once-fertile land barren. Eastern Uganda's food basket was on the brink of collapse.

But from this crisis emerged a new chapter, one rooted in restoration and resilience. In response, the Ministry of Water and Environment, with support from the World Bank, contracted WWF to implement urgent catchment management strategies across the middle and lower Awoja sub-catchments.

At the heart of the initiative: empowering communities to take charge of their environment.

Across Apeduru-Apapai and Lake Okolitorom sub-catchments, community members were mobilized to undertake soil and water conservation actions. They planted vetiver grass, dug infiltration pits, and constructed diversion channels to redirect runoff from vulnerable slopes. With over 80% of wetlands previously encroached, WWF moved swiftly to demarcate and restore three wetlands in Bukedea and two in Katakwi. Communities that once depended on these wetlands for survival were supported with alternative livelihoods including beekeeping, improved cookstove production, and fish farming.

Meanwhile, a vigorous tree planting campaign took root. Local groups established six nurseries that raised over 500,000 seedlings, which were planted across degraded landscapes. The initiative not only restored the tree cover but also injected over UGX 180 million into community pockets.

The results have been nothing short of remarkable. In just two years, wetland restoration jumped from 35% to 80%, and vegetation cover improved from 15% to 48% Crop yields have bounced back and so has hope.

Clean water access, once a distant dream, is now a daily reality. Twenty water sources in Bukedea and 15 in Katakwi were protected and equipped with water conservation structures. Water Use Committees trained by WWF now manage these critical lifelines.

Additionally, irrigation kits provided in both districts have helped farmers grow crops even during dry spells. And to further improve incomes, communities received coffee pulping machines to process and add value to their harvests.

What began as a fight against nature’s fury has transformed into a story of community resilience, environmental recovery, and renewed hope. Today, the people of Awoja can say proudly: …Water is life. Trees are wealth. And this land - once broken - is healing…