Dream International Uganda

How the project works

Dream International leads a community-driven tree and forest restoration initiative in the Rwenzori Mountain region of western Uganda - part of the globally important Albertine Rift biodiversity hotspot. The project focuses on planting native and indigenous species that restore watershed health, support wildlife habitat, and strengthen the resilience of local ecosystems against the growing pressures of climate change.

Local communities are trained and employed as stewards of restored forest areas, receiving ongoing support in sustainable land management, agroforestry, and eco-enterprise development. This model not only reverses environmental degradation but creates long-term livelihoods - reducing dependence on charcoal production and slash-and-burn agriculture that drive deforestation.

By restoring tree cover in the Rwenzori highlands, the project directly protects headwaters that supply clean drinking water to thousands of downstream households. Each tree planted contributes to a cascading chain of benefits: cooler microclimates, reduced flooding, improved soil fertility, and renewed habitat for endangered species including mountain gorillas.