About UsOur WorkIdeasOur Leaders
Deforestation in Lira

Featured Story

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.

Shea tree, vulnerable to extinction in Uganda
Shea tree, vulnerable to extinction in Uganda

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.

Amon-maka village, Lira
Amon-maka village, Lira

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).

View of River Moroto from Amon-maka bridge
A view of River Moroto from Amon-maka bridge

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).

Drying sunflowers on a fragmented farm
Drying sunflowers on a fragmented farm

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

Deforestation in Lira
Deforestation in Lira

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).

White corn field affected by pests
White corn field affected by pests

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.

Help us build a future filled with hope and opportunities

Sign up for our newsletter

Subscription Form

Frequently Asked Questions

See all of our frequently asked questions on our FAQ page.