Wetland Restoration Dilemma in Uganda: Investigation of Alternative Livelihood Options for Restoring Limoto Wetland in Eastern Uganda

Purpose: Motion 145 adopted by the 5th IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2012, called for an evaluation of alternative livelihood programs' contributions to biodiversity conservation. And since then, alternative livelihood opportunities are employed globally as a way to protect biodiversity, notably for wetlands. This study aims to advance the evaluation of alternative livelihood options' effects on biodiversity. The objective of the study is to describe the effectiveness of alternative livelihood options in the restoration of the Limoto wetland.                       Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was adopted. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and interviews. FGDs were conducted with five groups of beneficiaries of livelihoods options. Interviews were carried out with seven key informants who were considered to be knowledgeable about the wetland restoration alternative livelihood options. These included village local council chairpersons from communities near the wetland, opinion leaders, district natural resources officers, IUCN Representative, NEMA official and wetland department. Findings: The study revealed that the livelihood options initiated for Limoto wetland restoration were ineffective and unsustainable. While, the study further revealed that the wetland restoration program had led to food shortages due to loss of wetland farmland. The study findings showed that re-encroachment was substantially due to a lack of perceived relevance and dissatisfaction with the alternative livelihood options. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study concludes that wetland re-encroachment is caused by the beneficiaries’ dissatisfaction of the alternative livelihood options introduced. Therefore, the study recommends the alternative livelihood options be determined using a co-creating design, where the communities are involved and this is in accordance with National Environment Act No.5, 2019 Uganda.