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The Big Picture
Lira District - Northern Uganda’s Changing Landscape: A Climate Perspective
The images in this feature story were taken in Lira, northern Uganda, where Tropics International Ltd. has an international branch. They tell a story of the intersectionality of what is and what can be.

These images capture a region building resilience against limited access to quality education, educational inequity, poor agricultural practices, climate change, and the cycle of poverty. Driven by our mission of empowering communities to expand access to quality education, promote educational equity, engage in sustainable agriculture, adapt to and combat climate change, and alleviate poverty, Tropics International Ltd. works to transform these challenges into opportunities for education access and equity, sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and poverty alleviation.

The “normal” return of rains in March is now often delayed, forcing farmers to contend with prolonged dry spells that scorched crops and dried up vital shallow wells (Ssebunya 4). Conversely, when rains do arrive, they are frequently accompanied by extreme thunderstorms and flooding in low-lying areas, causing soil degradation and infrastructure damage (USAID).

Deforestation Pressures: Between 2001 and 2024, Lira lost approximately 4.7 kha of tree cover, largely driven by the expansion of permanent agriculture and a surge in charcoal production as a coping mechanism for failed harvests (Global Forest Watch).

Biodiversity & Pests: These shifting conditions have led to increased outbreaks of pests, such as the fall armyworm, which further threatens regional food security (Nagoshi).

Rising Temperatures: Residents have reported unusually severe heatwaves and higher average temperatures, which exacerbate water stress for both livestock and human consumption (Adam and Matta 12).

Tropics International Ltd. is actively addressing these challenges through regenerative agriculture, agroforestry programs and tree-planting initiatives designed to restore forest canopy cover, enhance soil moisture, and strengthen resilience to a warming climate. Complementing these efforts, the organization promotes climate change awareness in schools by supporting climate-smart actions such as tree nursery establishment, school gardens, waste reduction and recycling, water conservation, and energy-saving practices, and by forming climate change mitigation and environmental conservation clubs that equip students with the knowledge and leadership skills to protect their environment.
Tropics International Ltd. is actively addressing these challenges through regenerative agriculture, agroforestry programs and tree-planting initiatives designed to restore forest canopy cover, enhance soil moisture, and strengthen resilience to a warming climate. Complementing these efforts, the organization promotes climate change awareness in schools by supporting climate-smart actions such as tree nursery establishment, school gardens, waste reduction and recycling, water conservation, and energy-saving practices, and by forming climate change mitigation and environmental conservation clubs that equip students with the knowledge and leadership skills to protect their environment.
Works Cited
Adam, Christopher, and Prabhmeet Kaur Matta. The Impact of Temperature and Rainfall Volatility on Food Prices—Evidence for Uganda. Working Paper no. 25/244, International Monetary Fund, Nov. 2025. IMF eLibrary, https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/001/2025/244/article-A000-en.pdf.
Alupot, D., et al. “Characteristics of Extreme Rainfall Events over Uganda https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/001/2025/244/article-A000-en.pdf during September to November Rainfall Season.” Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, vol. 12, no. 3, Mar https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/001/2025/244/article-A000-en.pdf. 2024, pp. 131-52. SCIRP, https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2024.123008.
“Lira, Uganda Deforestation Rates & Statistics.” Global Forest Watch, 2025, https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/UGA/33/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Nagoshi, R. N. “The Status in Africa of Fall Armyworm Expressing Genetic Markers Related to Infestations of Pasture, Millet, Alfalfa, and Rice in the Americas.” PLOS ONE, vol. 20, no. 7, 31 July 2025, e0329096, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0329096.
Ssebunya, John. Facing Heat and Drought, Ugandans Seek Ways to Avoid Detrimental Effects of Climate Change. Dispatch no. 1046, Afrobarometer, 15 Sept. 2025, https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad1046-facing-heat-and-drought-ugandans-seek-ways-to-avoid-detrimental-effects-of-climate-change/.
USAID. Climate Risk Profile: Uganda. Adaptation Community, 2024, https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/climate-change-profile-uganda.
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Our role is to serve as a collaborative partner: We collaborate extensively with governments, NGOs, and the private sector to advance shared development goals. We strengthen these partnerships, support local leadership, and ensure efforts are aligned for greater impact.
Why do you focus on connecting multiple program areas?
We recognize that challenges like limited access to quality education, educational inequity, poor agricultural practices, climate instability, and poverty are closely linked. Meaningful change requires integrated approaches that recognize these connections, ensuring that progress in one area reinforces and sustains progress across the whole.
What kind of educational support do you provide?
We provide comprehensive educational support by focusing on five key areas: first, providing educational resources through distributing essential items like books, school supplies, or technology; second, supporting students directly via offerings such as tutoring, mentoring, scholarships, and college access aid; third, training and supporting teachers using professional development and curriculum resources; fourth, advocating for policy change, which involves working on education reform at all levels to promote equity and access; and finally, conducting research to study effective educational practices, evaluate program effectiveness, and share findings with educators and policymakers.
What role do you play in addressing climate change?
We support community-led adaptation and mitigation initiatives. Our projects include promoting renewable energy, responsible waste management, sustainable land use, and environmental awareness, helping communities build resilience against climate impacts.
How does your work address food security?
Our approach to food security is rooted in the principle of Ubuntu, focusing on the transition from “what is” to “what can be” by strengthening local food systems and economic resilience through four primary pillars:
- Regenerative Agriculture Scaling: We restore soil health and biodiversity by implementing a “Triple-Win Framework” of minimum tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation. These practices sequester carbon and increase water retention, effectively reversing climate-driven productivity declines.
- Year-Round Urban Production: We eliminate “seasonal dormancy” in urban areas by installing greenhouses and hoop houses. By integrating Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) like hydroponics and aeroponics, we ensure communities have year-round access to nutrient-dense produce.
- Sustainable Mechanization: We help farmers move from manual labor to engine power through shared tractor services and precision irrigation. This modernization increases land efficiency and reduces the physical drudgery that often drives youth away from farming.
- Agricultural Capacity Building: We provide direct technical support and farmer training to build circular bioeconomies. This strengthens local value chains and reduces dependence on expensive synthetic fertilizers, making local food systems more self-sufficient.
How do you ensure your solutions are sustainable?
We believe in supporting solutions that are shaped by local knowledge and collective effort. By focusing on building local capacity, fostering partnerships, and promoting practices like agroecology, we help ensure that progress is sustained by the community long after our direct involvement concludes.
What types of communities do you serve?
We focus on rural and underserved communities across multiple regions. These communities often face overlapping challenges in education, agriculture, climate resilience, and economic opportunity with limited local support.
What is the core philosophy guiding your work?
Our work is deeply rooted in Ubuntu, an African philosophy meaning “I am because we are.” This philosophy reflects our belief that our lives are interconnected in the context of our shared humanity, and lasting, meaningful change grows from shared responsibility, community, and respect for our common humanity.




