The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Board of Directors has carried out an inspection of the Mt. Elgon Project, gaining firsthand insights into its progress and impact across the region.

The project is being implemented in 38 sub-counties across Bududa, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween, Manafwa, Mbale, Namisindwa, and Sironko districts. Its core objective is to conserve ecosystems that provide critical goods and services for rural livelihoods and food security in the Mt. Elgon landscape.

Key Achievements of the Mt. Elgon Project

The project has made significant progress in promoting sustainable practices and restoring degraded ecosystems:

• Promoted Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM), including on-farm diversification to strengthen food crop value chains.
• Increased adoption of sustainable coffee and staple crop production practices.
• Expanded integrated agroforestry and community conservation enterprises.
• Raised 430,000 assorted tree seedlings and 100,000 bamboo plants. Of these, 220,000 tree seedlings and 12,000 bamboo plants have been distributed to partners for restoration of degraded forests, wetlands, and riverbanks.

Bushika Integrated Area Cooperative Enterprise

Support from the Mt. Elgon Project has transformed Bushika Cooperative:

• Membership growth: From 1,889 coffee farmers (586 women, 1,303 men) to 2,215 farmers (731 women, 1,484 men).
• Acreage expansion: From 1,889 acres to 2,215 acres under coffee production.
• Improved practices: Strengthened quality control and record-keeping under sustainable coffee production standards.

Empowering Women and Communities

The inspection team — comprising NEMA board members, staff, and project representatives were warmly welcomed by Kalaa Mugosi Women Empowerment Ltd, a coffee cooperative in Sironko District.

• Before project support, Kalaa Mugosi had 1,006 farmers from 35 groups.
• With Mt. Elgon Project funding, the cooperative now supports 3,000 farmers across Sironko and Bulambuli districts, with a vision to reach 15,000 farmers by the project’s end.

Their jubilant reception, filled with dance and celebration, reflected the community’s appreciation for the project’s transformative impact.

Looking Ahead

The Mt. Elgon Project, funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is advancing an Integrated and Sustainable Landscape Management Approach for conservation of the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.

Communities across the subregion have expressed satisfaction with the project, citing improvements in livelihoods, environmental restoration, and sustainable farming practices.