Kigezi Women in Development (KWID) is excited to announce the launch of the Strengthening Smallholder Farmer Resilience to climate change through joint learning, development and evaluation of Contextualized Solutions case of the Rwenzori and Kigezi highland Regions of Uganda (SFR2CC) project in Kigezi region. This initiative aligns with KWID’s mission to empower women, girls, and other vulnerable persons to exercise their rights and improve their socio-economic status.
The project was launched on the 13th of September 2024 at Cephas’ Inn in Kabale. Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) and Joint Effort to Save the Environment (JESE) will implement the project on the side of the Rwenzori region with Kabale University and Kigezi Women in Development (KWID) on the side of the Kigezi region. Kamwezi Sub-county, Rukiga district, will be one of the communities in Kigezi region where the project will be implemented.
Project Overview
The SFR2CC project aims at bridging the gap between higher education and smallholder farmers through capacity building of MMU and Kabale University and smallholder farming communities within these highland regions; support the development of a multi-stakeholder driven community-embedded interdisciplinary Master’s programme in Water Resources at MMU and; participatory review of Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources programme at Kabale University to make them responsive to the water management challenges of the smallholder farmers.
Four specific objectives will guide the Project:
- Development of a multistakeholder-driven community-embedded interdisciplinary MSc in Water Resources at MMU and review of MSc Environment and Natural Resources at Kabale University;
- Development and implementation of a multistakeholder-driven gender-responsive research agenda to guide participatory action-oriented research;
- Participatory co-development, testing and evaluation of farm water management innovations suitable in the local context and;
- Formulation of an inclusive platform for multi-stakeholder engagement to foster water knowledge exchange.
The project approach will be a bottom-up approach of curriculum development and review with farmers being an integral part of the whole process alongside other stakeholders; capacity building focussing on participatory optimisation of on-farm water use through low-cost irrigation innovations, harnessing rainwater (both roof and surface) using it in dry periods and improving soil and water conservation and; a holistic (ecological, social and economic) participatory evaluation of both indigenous and conventional farm water use technologies.
Stakeholder Remarks at the Project Launch
MS Hope Tukamushaba, KWID Board Chair:
She warmly welcomed all attendees to the project inception meeting. She emphasized the importance of preparing farmers for climate change impacts, particularly on wetlands. She expressed gratitude to Mountains of the Moon University and Kabale University for partnering with KWID and JESE to empower smallholder farmers.
Deputy CAO Kabale:
The Deputy CAO Kabale district officially opened the meeting, highlighting that the project will address real climate change challenges in the region.
Kabale University Team (led by Dr. Alex Saturday) and KWID Team Leader Florence Tumuheirwe:
Dr. Alex Saturday and Florence Tumuheirwe provided an overview of the project’s implementation plan, detailing the roles of each partner and the steps to be taken.
Representative for the Vice Chancellor:
The Vice Chancellor’s representative thanked stakeholders for their participation and assured them that the project would yield positive results.
LCV Chairman Rukiga District:
The LCV Chairman expressed confidence in the project’s success, citing his experience with Kabale University and KWID. He assured that the project would be effectively communicated to smallholder farmers and pledged full support for its implementation.
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