Katonga Catchment Management Plan

Client: Ministry of Water and Environment

Location: Central Uganda & Cattle Corridor (16 Districts)

The Challenge

Katonga catchment (13,837 km²) spans diverse ecosystems and land uses: wetlands, forests, rangelands, agricultural areas, and emerging urban centers. Competing demands for water, land, and biodiversity conservation require strategic, spatially explicit management planning that balances agriculture, livestock, wildlife, and human water security.

Our Role

Earth Partners assembled a 13-person multidisciplinary team to conduct the largest integrated catchment assessment, delivering a comprehensive management strategy.

What We Delivered

• Water Resources Assessment Report: Hydrological modeling, water availability, demand projection

• Vegetation & Biodiversity Survey: Multi-temporal satellite analysis; field validation; biodiversity hotspot mapping

• Strategic Social and Environmental Assessment: Evaluation of proposed development options (irrigation, valley dams, sand mining, wetland farming)

• Stakeholder Consultations Report: 16-district engagement; community priorities documented

• Social and Environmental Management Plan: Mitigation strategies and monitoring frameworks

• Catchment Management Plan (3 documents):

– Catchment Situation Report

– Report of Annexures (data & analysis)

– Final CMP with strategic investment roadmap

• Capacity Building & Monitoring Framework: Ensures CMP remains a living document

Key Results

✓ First integrated 13,837 km² catchment plan delivered

✓ 35+ Strategic Investment Options Identified (prefeasibility level)

✓ Multi-Sector Agreement on Shared Water Goals

✓ Monitoring & Evaluation Framework Operational