Stakeholders have unveiled the Elgon Pamoja Partnership, a collective action on Water program aimed at safeguarding the Mountain Elgon catchment area and promoting long-term water security in Uganda.
The initiative was launched during the 2025 Water and Environment Week, bringing together key stakeholders from government, private sector, development partners, NGOs, and community leaders.
At the launch, UBL pledged UGX 1 billion, spread over three years, to support water conservation and livelihood enhancement initiatives in the Sipi Sub-Catchment of the Mt. Elgon area.
This commitment includes an initial disbursement of UGX 450 million. The program aims to restore ecosystems, enhance soil and water health, and strengthen climate resilience among smallholder farmers in the region.
The Elgon Pamoja Partnership, will look at Soil and Water Conservation, Afforestation and Reforestation, Biogas Digesters, and Rainwater Harvesting.
According to the UBL Managing Director, Andrew Kilonzo, the initiative aligns with UBL’s water stewardship strategy, which prioritizes water efficiency, replenishment, advocacy, and collective action.
“By leveraging nature-based solutions, the program aims to conserve and protect the Mt. Elgon region, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come,” he noted.
Kilonzo reiterated their commitment to water stewardship. “water is our most important ingredient. We understand how important and precious this resource is, and because of that, we want to protect and sustain it for generations to come.”
“The Mt. Elgon region is not only an important catchment area but also a crucial source of barley and sorghum, which are our raw materials. The project interventions will also improve the yields and incomes for farmers” He added.
According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda has been losing approximately 791 km2 of its wetlands each year, putting the country at risk of total depletion by 2040.
Dr. Alfred Okidi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment, commended Uganda Breweries and AidEnvironment for their commitment to environmental stewardship.
“This initiative demonstrates the power of collective action in protecting our shared water resources. We encourage other manufacturers to join this effort, recognizing that water catchments are shared resources that demand collective responsibility.”
The Elgon Pamoja Partnership builds upon Aid Environment’s existing initiatives, including the Green Future Farming project and the Harvest Health project. With support from the Ministry of Water and Environment, local communities, and development partners, this program is poised to drive measurable improvements in water security, livelihoods, and environmental health in Uganda.
