This grant-based project will assist the Government of Uganda to take climate change effects into account in managing wetlands. Climate effects include increased climate variability and extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, high temperatures and violent storms.

This project will help Uganda restore critical wetlands to improve ecosystem services - such as replenishing ground water, improving flood control, and enhancing the livelihoods of subsistence farming communities through fishing and agriculture, enhancing the skills of people to diversify their livelihoods and become more resilient to climate shocks; and improve the ability of communities in sensitive wetland areas to reduce climate risks and prepare them for climate-related disasters (including through decentralized early warning systems).

This project will target south-western and eastern regions in Uganda, home to some of this Least Developed Country’s most vulnerable people - more than half of them women.

The complaint alleges several violations of UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards (SES), regarding the "Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda" Project.  The complaint alleges that wetland reclamation activities, which occurred between 10-18 November, 2023, led to human rights violations, excessive use of force, the razing of crops and households, and loss of livelihoods. The complaint also alleges that no affected groups had been consulted prior to the implementation of the project. 

The complaint is submitted by the Health Equity and Policy Initiative (HEAPI) on behalf of residents of Rukingiri District, Southwestern Uganda.