Mountains ADAPT: rangeland and water resilience in Rupa

A 12-month, community-led project proposed to UNEP’s Mountains ADAPT Small Grants for Rupa sub-county at the foot of Mount Moroto, home to Matheniko agro-pastoral households.

Why it matters

Rupa is semi-arid, with about 650 mm of increasingly unpredictable rain from April to August and a hard dry season from November to March. Years of overgrazing have degraded the Omaniman rangeland, and natural water points dry up earlier each season. Herders trek further, herds lose condition, and the risk of conflict over grazing and water rises. Satellite data from August 2023 showed severe vegetation stress across Moroto during Karamoja’s fourth poor harvest in a row.

What we propose

• Rangeland restoration and rotational grazing: reseed degraded land with drought-resilient grasses and legumes, and co-design a rotational grazing plan with herders and local leaders
• Small-scale water harvesting: build or rehabilitate a valley tank or rock catchment, sited with the community and local government, so water lasts into the dry season
• Fodder conservation and pasture training: train community members, at least 30% women and 40% youth, so the practice continues after the grant

Who benefits

Agro-pastoral households in Rupa that depend on cattle, goats and sheep. Women, who carry much of the water burden, will help shape the grazing plan. Youth will be trained to maintain the water structure. The wider community benefits from healthier rangeland and less competition over resources.