Kabale District Flags Off Distribution of 399 Heifers to Wetland Evictees Under GCF Project

 

By Alex Byakatonda

 

Communications Officer-Kabale

 

Kabale District leaders have officially flagged off the distribution of 399 heifers to beneficiary households under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Project, aimed at providing alternative livelihoods to families that voluntarily vacated wetlands.

 

The initiative is part of a broader effort to restore degraded wetland ecosystems while improving the socio-economic welfare of communities that previously depended on wetland resources for survival.

 

The GCF project, titled “Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda,” focuses on wetland restoration alongside the promotion of sustainable livelihood options for affected communities.

 

Under the project, livelihood support items valued at Shs 1.481 billion are being distributed to 905 households that voluntarily vacated wetlands in Ikona, South Kiruruma, Kyanamira–Kabanyonyi, and Nyombe.

 

The first batch of beneficiaries, drawn from Maziba, Kyanamira, Kamuganguzi, and Kahungye sub-counties, received various livelihood inputs on 24th December 2025. These included 40 top-bar beehives, 460 dual-purpose chicks, 384 goats, 24 sheep, 64 piglets, 399 dairy heifers, tailoring equipment, and other support items.

 

Speaking at the function, Dr. Masembe Kamaradi from the Ministry of Local Government, which is spearheading the distribution of the heifers, said the event marked the official flag-off of the distribution of 399 dairy heifers to beneficiaries in four sub-counties—Kahungye, Maziba, Kamuganguzi, and Kyanamira. He explained that 118 heifers are being distributed to beneficiaries in Kahungye and Maziba, while the remaining heifers earmarked for Kyanamira and Kamuganguzi will be distributed next week.

CUE IN…………KAMARADI ON THE HEIFERS ENG……

Dr. Kamaradi cautioned beneficiaries to take good care of the animals, noting that they are high-quality breeds intended to improve household incomes. He warned against misuse of the inputs, including selling them or using them for non-productive purposes such as paying dowry, saying such actions would undermine the objectives of the project.

 

The Kabale District Chairperson, Nelson Nshangabasheija, emphasized that the livelihood inputs are intended to uplift household incomes and ensure sustainable livelihoods. He commended the government for supporting wetland evictees with alternative income-generating activities, saying the initiative will help transform the lives of beneficiary households.

CUE IN…………..Nshangabasheija on Heifer RR

 

Presiding over the function, the Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Maj. Godfrey Katamba, urged beneficiaries to work closely with veterinary extension workers in their respective sub-counties to ensure proper care and treatment of the animals. He encouraged beneficiaries to view the heifers as “seed capital” that should multiply and sustainably support their livelihoods. He also warned that stern action would be taken against anyone found misusing the livelihood support items.

CUE IN…………..Maj Katamba on Heifer RR/eng

 

 

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