The Women Empowerment in Sustainable Land Management (WESLAM) project, funded by the Swedish Postcode Lottery, was implemented in Eastern Uganda’s Bugiri and Mayuge districts. It aimed to combat deforestation, reduce land degradation, and promote sustainable agricultural practices by 2021. The project specifically focused on empowering women, who are disproportionately affected by land degradation, by providing them with knowledge and resources to adopt sustainable land management practices and reforestation efforts.
Addressing deforestation and land degradation
Uganda has experienced a significant loss of its forests over the past 30 years, with the World Bank estimating that one-third of the country’s forests have been lost. In Mayuge district, over 90% of the forest cover is gone. The deforestation has led to severe land degradation, especially in Mayuge and Bugiri districts, where population growth and unsustainable agricultural practices have put intense pressure on natural resources. As the forests disappeared, farmers encroached on forest land in search of fertile soils, leading to further environmental degradation.
Women have been hit hardest by these changes, as they are traditionally responsible for farming and providing food and income for their families. Deforestation has deprived them of essential resources like firewood, medicinal plants, and raw materials for crafts, which were previously available in the forests. With reduced agricultural productivity due to degraded soil, many families face poverty and food insecurity.
Sustainable solutions and women’s empowerment
The WESLAM project helped reverse these challenges through reforestation and sustainable agriculture land management (SALM) practices. By working with local communities, the project facilitated a collaborative forest management approach, allowing farmers to restore degraded forest reserves by planting trees. Through long-term leasing agreements between farmer organizations and the government, local farmers gained access to the forest reserves and could benefit from them while conducting forest-friendly activities like honey production and mushroom cultivation.
This initiative not only restored biodiversity but also provided women with alternative livelihoods, reducing the pressure on natural forests. Furthermore, it empowered women with sustainable land management skills, increasing their resilience to environmental and economic challenges.
Funding and impact
The WESLAM project was funded by the Swedish Postcode Lottery and played a crucial role in addressing deforestation and land degradation in Eastern Uganda. It not only contributed to environmental conservation but also improved the lives of the women and families who participated by providing them with sustainable income sources and ensuring long-term food security.
