Is Deforestation in Eastern Uganda Contributing to Groundwater Depletion?

Is Deforestation in Eastern Uganda Contributing to Groundwater Depletion?

By Javier Silas Omagor

The slopes and valleys of the Mt. Elgon region are battling the consequences of rampant deforestation, and the effects are becoming increasingly dire. 

Beyond the apparent environmental degradation damage, one of the most alarming consequences is the depletion of groundwater—a resource for domestic and agricultural use in this already drought-prone area.

The rainforests that once covered the region have been steadily disappearing, mainly driven by agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and the growing demand for firewood as cooking fuel. 

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Charcoal bags piled high. This is the evidence of the rampant deforestation in Eastern Uganda, where the quest for fuel is diminishing forests and threatening groundwater reserves for local communities.

As the forests disappear, the landscape and the water cycle are changing. The loss of trees is now recognized as a key factor in the dwindling groundwater reserves that many rural communities in the region depend on for survival.

As is the situation elsewhere, groundwater is a vital resource in the Nile Basin, with about 70% of the rural population depending on it for domestic use and livestock watering. 

There is also increasing groundwater use for economic activities such as irrigation, mining, and industries. 

With a rapidly growing demand for surface water, which will soon outstrip supply, groundwater holds the promise of bridging the gap between water supply and demand and buffering the effects of climate change and variability.

According to the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), contrary to popular belief, “rainfall intensity plays a bigger role in groundwater recharge than overall rainfall amounts, especially during the monsoon, than the total volume of rainfall.”

In its study, Water Resources Management- Groundwater Series 2023, the Initiative warns about the likely impact of deforestation on groundwater.

“Large scale deforestation (for construction and energy usage) is effecting not only recharge but also the soil stability and even the regional climate,” the report warns.

Another report, Mount Elgon Transboundary Aquifer, also by NBI, recommends the delineation of key recharge areas and processes prevailing and the influence of extreme weather conditions.

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Trees’ roots reach deep into the earth, absorbing rainwater and replenishing aquifers, ensuring a sustainable water supply for ecosystems and communities alike. Photo by Emma Muchunguzi. 

Forests play a crucial role in replenishing groundwater. Tree roots help to absorb rainwater, which gradually seeps into the ground and replenishes underground aquifers. 

Rhoda Nyariibi, a renowned forester in the Mt Elgon region, narrates that “trees help regulate the water cycle by preventing surface runoff and ensuring that rainwater is properly filtered and absorbed into the soil.”

However, as large swathes of forest have been cleared owing to human-induced activities on the environment, this natural process is being disrupted. 

Nyariibi laments that “without the protective canopy of trees, rainwater is no longer absorbed efficiently into the ground. ” She further stresses that “instead, it either runs off the surface, causing erosion, or evaporates into the air, leaving little moisture to replenish the groundwater reserves beneath the soil.”

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Charcoal dealers loading Kenya bound Fuso truck bags. Photo by Javier Silas Omagor

In its 2022 report on Groundwater Development in Sub-Saharan Africa, the World Bank highlighted the need to improve the region’s groundwater development planning and resource management. 

It also discusses the need to increase funding for groundwater projects and develop new training partnerships to avoid the implications. 

It is with no doubt that for communities living on the slopes of Mt. Elgon and surrounding districts, the consequences are already being felt. 

Many households that previously relied on groundwater for daily water needs now find that wells and boreholes must be fixed. 

In some areas, farmers who depend on groundwater for irrigation have watched as their crops wither and fail due to the lack of water.

In Sironko, one of the hardest-hit districts, local farmer Isaac Masakala recalls how his farm used to thrive following a reliable well on his property. 

“A few years ago, I never had to worry about water. The well was deep enough to supply water for my family and crops. But the water levels have dropped drastically for the last few years,”

Nabende says.

He notes that, now, his family members have to “walk long distances to fetch water, and even that is not enough to sustain my farm.”

Agnes Nabuna, another farmer, believes that fellow farmers and communities in the Elgon region need to ensure that “we collectively need to consider resilient and adaptive measures towards deforestation effects on groundwater.”  

The depletion of groundwater is affecting farmers and putting pressure on local communities’ access to safe drinking water.

In some areas, families have been forced to rely on contaminated surface water, which has led to an increase in waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery.

Indeed, deforestation in the region has been driven by several factors, including the need for firewood, charcoal production, and land for cultivation. With the population increasing, more land is being cleared for farming.

“I think government and development partners should also consider introducing alternative cooking options which are accessible because the demand for firewood has intensified,” Nabuna states.

She discloses that many trees are felled indiscriminately, leading to massive deforestation in areas like Sironko, Manafwa, Bulambuli, Kween, Bukwo, Bududa, Namisindwa, and Kapchorwa.

The Ministry of Water and Environment reports that eastern Uganda has lost over 30% of its forest cover in the past two decades alone.

This loss has not only contributed to the reduction of local biodiversity but has also led to significant soil degradation and decreased groundwater recharge. 

Once rich in organic matter and capable of holding moisture, the soil is now more prone to erosion, further disrupting the water cycle.

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Groundwater is vital for our drinking water and crops. Photo by Jesse Chenge. 

Experts warn that the situation in Eastern Uganda is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Nazipher Abigaba, an environmental expert with the Uganda National Forest Authority, emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive forest conservation and groundwater management approach.

“Deforestation has far-reaching consequences, and one of the most serious impacts is the depletion of groundwater resources,” Abigaba explains.

She says there is a need to integrate reforestation efforts with water conservation strategies.

“Planting trees and protecting natural forests are essential steps to restoring the water cycle and safeguarding groundwater for future generations,”  she notes.

In addition to reforestation efforts, Abigaba recommends promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry, where farmers plant trees alongside their crops. 

This method helps conserve water, enhances soil fertility, and prevents erosion.

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Several communities in Eastern Uganda rely on clean groundwater. Photo by Jesse Chenge. 

Both the Ugandan government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are taking steps to address the issue. 

The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) has introduced programs aimed at protecting and restoring forests, such as the Running Out of Trees (ROOTs) campaign, with the target of planting 200 million trees over five years, with a target of  40 million trees per year. 

Local organizations like WaterAid Uganda and The Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise (METGE) have also launched initiatives to raise awareness about the link between deforestation and water scarcity. 

Alfred Okidi, the Permanent Secretary at MWE, believes these initiatives can inspire the local communities to embrace conservation, stabilize the ecosystem, and benefit groundwater.

“These organizations are working with farmers and local communities to promote sustainable land use and water management practices,” Okidi says.

One such Initiative involves installing rainwater harvesting systems to reduce dependency on groundwater and surface water sources. 

By collecting and storing rainwater during wet seasons, households can alleviate some pressure on groundwater reserves during dry spells.

While these efforts are a step in the right direction, experts warn that the problem can only be solved with the active participation of local communities, policymakers, and private stakeholders. The effects of deforestation on groundwater are not easily reversed, and significant time, investment, and effort will be required to restore the balance.

“We cannot afford to wait any longer,” says Okidi. “If we don’t act now to stop deforestation and invest in sustainable water management, we risk pushing Eastern Uganda into a serious water crisis that will affect generations to come.”

This story was produced with support from NBI Secretariat (Nile-Sec), which, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented a program across the Nile Basin focused on shared groundwater aquifers. The project’s goal was to improve water resource management at both the national and basin levels.

The first phase concentrated on building knowledge and capacity for the sustainable use and management of significant transboundary aquifers within the Nile Basin. Three aquifer areas were selected for intervention: the Kagera aquifer shared by Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi; the Mt Elgon aquifer shared by Uganda and Kenya; and the Gedaref-Adigrat aquifer shared by Sudan and Ethiopia. These aquifers are located in various climates, including arid, semi-arid, and tropical regions.

Initially, the phase involved gathering existing data and creating a Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Report (SADA) for the three selected aquifers. The subsequent phase engaged in groundwater modeling to enhance understanding of the aquifers and analyze scenarios based on changes in climate and groundwater use.

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