How communities are restoring the mountains of the moon through nature based solutions

The Rwenzori Mountains

, often called the “Mountains of the Moon,” are one of Uganda’s most fertile yet fragile regions. The mountains' steep slopes feed rivers and farms that support thousands of households in the region. However, over the years, deforestation, soil erosion, and frequent landslides have stripped the land of its stability.

In 2010, a small group of just 12 pioneering farmers decided to change that story. They began planting trees on their farms, combining reforestation with agroforestry to restore their soils, stabilise their slopes, and create new income opportunities. Today, that modest effort has grown into one of Uganda’s most impactful NbS projects.

Fifteen years on, the project has scaled across four landscapes - Kasese, Munyangavo, Kavalole, and Chejoju. It now involves over

31,000 farmers

restoring

17,205 hectares of land

:

Carbon credits are at the heart of how the Rwenzori NbS project links global climate action with local prosperity. Farmers join a structured program that ensures their restoration efforts are measured, verified, and rewarded. 

These credits are generated through the Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) program, run by ECOTRUST, which channels income from international carbon markets, like Earthly, directly to smallholder farmers.

Here’s how it works:

Farmers join through their SACCO and receive seedlings to establish agroforestry systems. The trees provide multiple local benefits: shade for crops, fruit, timber, firewood, and improved soil and water retention.

Once planted, the trees are monitored over time to track survival and growth. This ensures accountability and provides the data needed to calculate carbon storage.

Verified tree growth is converted into carbon credits. Farmers typically earn credits over a 10-year period, with payments made annually based on the performance of their trees.

Carbon revenues are channelled to project participants via SACCOs, providing a predictable yearly income that can be saved, reinvested, or accessed through loans - multiplying its impact across the community.

This system ensures that every tree planted delivers both climate benefits and community benefits. We’ll look at the deeper social and economic impacts of these credits later in the blog.

One of the most innovative features of the Rwenzori project is the role of SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations).

Carbon credit payments earned by farmers in this initiative don’t just arrive in cash; they are distributed through SACCOs, creating a financial structure that strengthens communities as a whole. Farmers can:

Beyond finance, these groups are planning for the future through ambitious five-year roadmaps that combine livelihood improvements with large-scale restoration.

Kyarumba Bwanywani started with just 50 farmers and has since expanded to over 11,200 members, operating from 8 offices. Together, they have planted more than 2,240,000 trees, transforming the slopes into thriving agroforestry systems. Their five-year roadmap sets the ambitious goal of covering all surrounding hills with trees.

Key initiatives include:

MIFA brings together more than 12,000 farmers and has grown into a regional powerhouse with 10 branches. Its roadmap focuses on strengthening ecosystem resilience through ecological and social measures:

The Rwenzori project is steadily reversing years of environmental degradation. Across the landscapes, farmers have planted more than 3.6 million trees, restoring degraded hillsides and strengthening agroforestry systems. These trees do far more than store carbon. They stabilise fragile soils, reduce erosion, and lower the risk of floods and landslides that threaten communities on the steep mountain slopes.

Soil and water conservation practices, including trenches, stone bands, and grass strips, are helping to anchor the land and protect crops from heavy rains. Water security has also improved, with healthier watersheds and purification systems ensuring cleaner water for families. 

Biodiversity is returning, too, as indigenous species reestablish habitats for birds, insects, and wildlife. Farmers even report that rainfall patterns have become more reliable, leading to stronger harvests and greater resilience in a region long vulnerable to climate shocks.

Alongside these ecological gains, the project has brought profound changes to daily life. Carbon credit income has become a reliable source of support, enabling farmers to make investments that were once out of reach. Families are paying school fees on time, which has reduced dropout rates and kept children in classrooms. Health outcomes are improving as households can now afford clinic visits and medicine without falling into debt.

Carbon revenues have also allowed families to build safer homes, moving from fragile mud huts to permanent houses. Livestock programs supported by these funds mean farmers can rear pigs, goats, or chickens - with revolving schemes that ensure benefits are passed on to new members. Some farmers have even used their payments to expand small businesses, diversify their incomes, and strengthen food security.

Beyond individual households, SACCOs and farmer associations are amplifying these benefits:

Community-driven restoration also extends into education and awareness:

Crucially, women’s empowerment is embedded in the project design:

It’s important to note that Earthly is not working directly with this initiative. Instead, we are proud to support its sister project in the

Albertine Rift and Mt. Elgon regions of Uganda.

The Albertine and Mt. Elgon initiative is built on the same foundation as the Ruwenzori project: helping smallholder farmers restore degraded land through tree planting and agroforestry, while earning carbon credits through the Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) program. Both projects share the same goals - reversing deforestation, strengthening climate resilience, and improving livelihoods.

Earthly is helping to finance and expand the reach of the project. These efforts ensure that more farmers across Uganda can plant trees, protect biodiversity, and build secure futures for their families, while contributing to global climate goals.

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