Promoting Integrated Landscape Management for Conservation of the Mount Elgon Ecosystem in Eastern Uganda

Background

The Government of Uganda has prioritised equitable access to productive land, sustainable natural resource management, and integrated landscape planning as key pathways for economic growth, poverty reduction, and industrialisation. One of the most critical landscapes under pressure is the Mount Elgon ecosystem, which supports nearly four million people. This mountain region provides essential goods and services — biodiversity, watersheds, and livelihoods — but faces severe challenges from land degradation, unsustainable farming, and climate change.

To address these issues, Uganda launched the Promoting Integrated Landscape Management Approach for Conservation of the Mount Elgon Ecosystem Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UN Environment. The project is implemented by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in collaboration with ministries, conservation agencies, cooperatives, and district governments across the Mt. Elgon region.

Project Goal

The overarching goal is to enhance conservation of ecosystems that provide critical goods and services for rural livelihoods and food security in the Mt. Elgon landscape.

Project Objective

The project seeks to transition the Mt. Elgon landscape into a sustainable, biodiverse, climate-resilient system with efficient value and supply chains for coffee and staple crops such as maize, beans, bananas, and Irish potatoes.

This initiative represents a holistic approach to conservation and development, ensuring that the Mount Elgon ecosystem continues to sustain biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security for generations to come.

Project Sites

The project is being implemented in a total of 38 sub-counties in the districts of Bududa, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween, Manafwa, Mbale, Namisindwa and Sironko (see the map below).