Ministry of Water and Environment %JSFDUPSBUFPG8BUFS3FTPVSDFT.BOBHFNFOU Kyoga8BUFS.BOBHFNFOU;POF This popular version of the Aswa Catchment Management Plan (CMP) summarises the main findings and the key messages. For more details on the approach, the results of the assessments, the interventions to be implemented, where and when how that implementation will take place, please refer to the main Catchment Management Plan, its corresponding Implementation Plan and the technical reports (Stakeholder Engagement Report, Water Resources Assessment Report, Social and Environmental Assessment, and Options Evaluation Report). Aswa Catchment Management Secretariat, Upper Nile Water Management Zone (UN-WMZ) Attn. Team Leader UN-WMZ xxx, E: [email protected] T: xxx, A: xxx, Lira Aswa Catchment Management Committee Secretary Attn. XXXXXX, E: XXXXXX T: XXXXX, A: XXXXX Directorate of Water Resources Management Attn. Director DWRM, E: [email protected], T: +256 (0)414320914 Attn. Coordinator Water Management Zones, E: [email protected] | [email protected] T: +256 (0)414323531, A: Plot 3-7 Kabalega Crescent, Luzira, Kampala Mpologoma Catchment Management Plan FOREWORD Water resources support key sectors of the economy namely hydropower generation, agriculture, fisheries, domestic water supply, industry, navigation etc. However, efficiency and sustainability of intervention under these sectors has recently been a concern in Uganda mainly due to inadequate sectoral collaboration in planning and implementation, increasing frequency of floods and droughts, environmental degradation and pollution of water resources. This situation therefore calls for development of mechanisms for promoting integrated planning, development and management of water resources so as to create synergy among various sectors, promote efficiency in utilization of available resources, reduce water and environmental degradation and ensure more efficient utilization of water resources to meet various social and economic demands. In 2011, my Ministry embarked on preparation of Catchment Management Plans Hon. Sam Cheptoris (CMPs) as tools for ensuring equitable access to, and use of water resources, and Minister of Water and Environment The Republic of Uganda safeguard of key natural resources for sustainable socio-economic development of the country. A CMP provides a long-term strategy for sustainable development and utilization of water and related resource. Catchment based water resources planning and management is in line with the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) paradigm, which ensures that land, water, and related resources are developed and managed in a coordinated manner without compromising sustainability of vital ecosystems. As the lead agency for implementation of Catchment based Water Resources Management (CbWRM) in Uganda, my ministry through the Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM) is operationalizing the CbWRM framework through the four Water Management Zones of Albert, Kyoga, Upper Nile and Victoria WMZ. In order to develop this CMP, a number of studies were undertaken which included an assessment of the existing catchment knowledge base, the current and projected water resources situation, the catchment’s social and environmental assessment, and stakeholder engagement. The CMP identifies critical issues, challenges, opportunities, and threats within the catchment which need to be addressed to ensure the socio- economic development of the people. Guided by the key issues, challenges, threats, opportunities, key water resources planning principles and national strategies, the stakeholders developed a vision for the catchment. To achieve the vision, stakeholders came up with a number of strategic objectives, options and actions that need to be pursued in the short, medium and long term up to the year 2040. Mpologoma CMP was developed following the Uganda Catchment Planning Guidelines of 2014 and was approved by the Mpologoma Catchment Management Committee (CMC) in October 2018. My Ministry is therefore pleased to formally make this CMP available for use by various stakeholders. It will enormously help and guide all developers and users of water and related resources at the national and local levels. I therefore wish to call upon all the relevant government ministries and agencies at both national and local levels, the civil society, the private sector, academia and research institutions, cultural institutions, religious institutions and the local communities to utilize this plan in order to optimally plan for the development and management of water and related resources for prosperity. In line with the provisions of Section 5 of the Water Act, Cap 152 I formally approve this Catchment Management Plan for use by various stakeholders. For God and My Country i Mpologoma CMP ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the Directorate of Water Resources Management for spearheading the preparing of Catchment Management Plans in Uganda. This is a stakeholders driven process that is key in ensuring that water resources are effectively planned for and sustainably developed and managed so as to support the achievement of the country’s vision 2040. Special thanks go to all the stakeholders at the national, regional and local levels for their active participation and involvement in preparation of this plan. Special appreciation goes to the Kyoga Water Management Zone for coordinating the plan preparation process and the Mpologoma Catchment Management Organisation through the Mpologoma Catchment Management Committee for ensuring that the plan is stakeholders’ driven and addresses the needs of the people in the catchment. "MGSFE0LPU0LJEJ Permanent Secretary, Finally, I wish to thank the World Bank through the Water Ministry of Water and Environment Management and Development Project for providing the funding that enabled preparation and printing of this CMP. ii Mpologoma CMP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The Mpologoma Catchment, which is one of the catchments in the Kyoga Water Management Zone, covers some 7,862 square kilometers (km2) of land area and 1,127 km2 of water area. It is bordered on the south by a narrow strip of the Victoria WMZ, which separates the catchments from Lake Victoria. The catchment is characterized by the presence of Mount Elgon (4,321 meters above sea leave [masl]), at the extreme northeast corner of the catchment, where the steepest slopes are found and a few extinct volcanoes and ridges along its southern and eastern rim at lower elevations along the border with Kenya. The altitude of the remainder of the catchment is between 1,150m and 1,033m, with the latter being the mean altitude of Lake Kyoga. Most wetlands in the catchment are located in this relatively flat area. The catchment traverses a wide range of land-cover types including settled agricultural areas, bushland, swamp/ riverine, wetlands of different types, and forested areas. There are numerous wetlands in the catchment: around 16% of the total area of the catchment is covered by wetlands (mainly seasonal wetlands). The main wetland systems include the Naigombwa, Namatala, Malaba, Mpologoma, Manafwa, Lumboka, and Lwakhaka wetland systems. Wetlands act as silt filters, so that much of the transported sediments are retained within the wetlands and vegetated areas, but some transported silt is also deposited in the piedmont where the slope becomes less steep, creating flood-prone zones and flood hazards in the Manafwa and Mbale area The Mpologoma Catchment covers, totally or partially, 16 districts of Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Busia, Butaleja, Iganga, Kaliro, Kibuku, Manafwa, Mayuge, Mbale, Namayingo, Namutumba, Pallisa, Sironko, and Tororo. The growing population in the catchment exerts increasing pressure on water and land resources, resulting in increasing degradation of the environment. The high population growth of 3.2% also leads to increased exploitation and destruction of ecosystem resources. Rainfed agriculture and livestock grazing are the most widespread activities in the Mpologoma Catchment. More than half of the total land area is used for cultivation since a large majority of the population is rural, and directly dependent on agriculture. Most cultivation is done by smallholder farmers averaging some two hectares per farm unit. Two agricultural areas can be distinguished: the upstream drylands and the lowland wetlands. • Rice is the most important crop in the wetlands although maize is also coming up as a key crop, especially in Butaleja, Namutumba, and Iganga districts. • Coffee, bananas, cassava, sorghum, finger millet, fruit trees, potato, sweet potatoes, coffee, and maize are predominantly grown in the relatively highly drained areas of the catchment. Rainfed agriculture is characterized by low productivity, small land holdings, poor soil management practices and lack of incentives and means to commercialize and mechanize. Approach The development of this CMP was solely based on the guidelines for Uganda’s Catchment-based Water Resources Planning (MWE, 2014). The process stipulated in these guidelines provides for various steps including development of a knowledge base, water resources planning analysis, stakeholders’ participation, and social and environmental context. From these thematic assessments, major issues/challenges within the catchment, the available opportunities, potential threats and risks were identified, options for managing the identified issues also identified, and this formed the basis for strategic analysis