The KI-WATER Project is a regional capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Kigezi Highlands of Western Uganda, a critical ecoregion that regulates major river systems, climate processes, and hydrological functions. The region faces increasing pressure from rapid population growth, over-exploitation of natural resources, weak environmental management, and accelerating land and water degradation. These pressures have resulted in declining water quality, reduced access to safe water, and weakened ecosystem integrity for local communities.
Despite the environmental importance of the Kigezi Highlands, reliable data on water resources remains limited, and awareness of the link between ecosystem health and water security is generally low. At the same time, research and teaching capacity in Integrated Water Resources Management remains inadequate within the region. The KI-WATER Project directly addresses these gaps through a research-driven, applied, and community-centered IWRM framework.
