C0010 Uganda

On 3 April 2024, IRM received a complaint alleging adverse impacts related to the implementation of GCF funded project FP034 "Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda." The IRM acknowledged receipt on 8 April, 2024 and subsequently proceeded to determine elibility of the complaint. Complainant(s) have raised several concerns related to implementation of the project including restrictions on access to wetlands, lack of compensation and/or adequate consultation, increased food insecurity and impoverishment of wetland-dependent communities and increased threats to community health, security and safety, among others. The complaint was determined to be eligible in May 2024. The complainant(s) requested and were granted confidentiality, per the IRM PGs and a result of the IRM's retaliation risk assessment. and are represented by a civil society organization.

During initial steps, the IRM engaged with complainant(s) and relevant parties to provide further information on the next steps and options available to process the complaint, involving meetings and two missions in Uganda to meet with stakeholders. In November 2024, at the conclusion of the initial steps phase, the parties agreed to pursue problem-solving as the preferred complaint-processing modality. Following a comprehensive dispute resolution process facilitated by the IRM team over several months, on 3 July 2025, Parties involved in the problem solving on case C0010 Uganda have reached agreement on the concerns raised with IRM back in April 2024. .

The agreement was reached between complainants from seven districts of Uganda, in the Southwest (Kabale, Kisoro, Ntungamo, Rukiga, and Rukungiri) and East (Kibuku and Tororo) and the Ministry of Water and the Environment of Uganda. Parties decided to keep the agreement confidential. A summary of issues discussed as part of the problem-solving agreement is provided below:

• Identification of wetland users  and agreements on processes to be followed by project affected people to obtain alternative in-kind livelihood opportunities.
• Organization of study tours for complainants to learn from examples of good livelihood restoration practices in other districts of Uganda. Consideration of activities that may be practiced on wetlands, such as - collecting water, cutting grass, grazing animals and fishing.
• Wetland boundaries and demarcation.
• Stakeholder engagement activities and use of project level grievance mechanisms at the village, subcounty, district, and national levels.

As a next step, the IRM will be preparing and disclosing a problem-solving conclusions report. The case will now move to the problem solving monitoring stage for the IRM to monitor parties' commitments included in the agreement until all actions are completed and the case is closed.