Who We Are
Advancing Environmental Justice in Uganda
Women’s Environment Forum (WEF–Uganda) is a national women-led movement advancing environmental justice, strategic natural resource protection and security, climate resilience, socio-economic development, and democratic governance across Uganda.
WEF–Uganda emerged in response to the systemic exclusion of youths, women, and girls from environmental and natural resource decision-making, the rising threats against environmental defenders, and widespread governance failures surrounding Uganda's natural resources.
We Mobilize, Organize and Empower youth, women and girls from grassroots communities to national platforms to amplify their voices, strengthen their Agency, leadership, and transform them into innovators, environmental stewards, natural resource governance actors, and champions of democratic accountability and socio-economic transformation across Uganda.
Our Structure & Why to Join
Our Mission
To empower women, youth, and communities to champion environmental justice, strategic natural resources protection and security, transparency, peace, democracy, and meaningful civic participation as pathways for sustainable socioeconomic development and transformation.
Our Vision
A just, peaceful, and sustainable Uganda where women, youth, and communities live in harmony with nature and hold the power to protect it.
Where We Work - Key Geographical Focus Areas
WEF-Uganda operates across the country, engaging youth, women and girls from grassroots communities to national decision-making platforms. Our work spans rural, urban, and peri-urban areas, with a focus on regions most affected by environmental degradation, climate change, and inequitable natural resource governance.
- Karamoja Region: Advancing women-led climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, peace, natural resource security, and community governance.
- Rwenzori-Albertine and Greater Kagera Landscapes: Strengthening youth and women's participation in natural resource management, forest and biodiversity protection, ecosystem and landscape restoration, and advocacy against harmful extractive activities.
- Lakes, Wetlands, and River Basins: Promoting gender-responsive water governance, ecosystem conservation, pollution prevention, and community-driven climate adaptation.
- Urban and Peri-Urban Communities: Empowering youth and women in environmental stewardship, green and circular entrepreneurship, waste management innovations, and civic engagement for accountable governance.
- Busoga-Bukedea Corridor, and High-Risk Ecosystems (Mbale–Bududa, Tororo–Busia, and others): Supporting climate-vulnerable communities through resilience-building, disaster-risk preparedness, early warning awareness, and women's leadership in local governance and resource protection.
Beyond community-level programming, WEF-Uganda engages at district, national, and regional levels to influence policy, strengthen accountability systems, and advance women's rights in environmental, climate, and natural resource governance.
Our Core Values
Feminist Leadership and Agency
We champion the leadership, rights, and agency of women, girls, and youth as essential drivers of environmental justice, climate resilience, and transformative natural resource governance.
Justice, Equity and Accountability
We uphold gender, social, and environmental justice by promoting fairness, inclusivity, and accountability across all systems that affect people, communities, and the planet.
Community Power and Collective Participation
We believe lasting transformation begins with the communities most affected by environmental degradation, climate change, and natural resource mismanagement.
Sustainability, Innovation and Knowledge Integration
We advance sustainable, resilient, and future-focused interventions that integrate indigenous knowledge, scientific evidence, and innovative technologies.
Protection, Security and Solidarity
We safeguard human and environmental rights, promote peace, and ensure the security of natural resources while protecting women and youth environmental defenders.