Call for Proposals – Wetlands Ecological, Aquaculture & Sociocultural Assessment in Uganda

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy for Wetlands Ecological, Aquaculture, and Sociocultural Assessment in Eastern Uganda

1. Background

Rikolto is an international NGO with over 50 years of experience in promoting sustainable and inclusive food systems across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Our mission is to ensure sustainable incomes for farmers and provide nutritious, affordable food for all.

In Uganda, Rikolto is implementing a three-year Climate-Resilient Businesses for Wetland Adjacent Communities Project, supported by aBi Development, the Royal Danish Embassy, and the European Union.

To guide targeted interventions, we are seeking a consultancy firm to conduct a comprehensive ecological, aquaculture, and sociocultural assessment of wetlands. The assessment will capture the current state of wetlands, identify priority degraded areas, and explore potential for horticulture, aquaculture, ecotourism, cooperative engagement, and sustainable restoration.

Focus districts: Butaleja, Tororo, Bulambuli, Sironko, Kween, Bugiri, Kamuli, Pallisa, Budaka, Mbale, Bugweri, Iganga, and Buyende. These areas are under increasing pressure from unsustainable land use, degradation, and weak community governance.

2. Objectives

Overall objective:
Conduct a holistic assessment of wetlands in the target districts to provide data and insights for project design, beneficiary targeting, and sustainable wetland management.

Specific objectives:

1. Map and validate wetlands in collaboration with the Wetlands Department (MWE).
2. Identify and prioritize degraded wetland areas.
3. Profile wetland-dependent communities, emphasizing youth, women, and marginalized groups.
4. Assess land utilization within wetlands and upland holdings.
5. Assess existing fishponds, including productivity, management, and challenges.
6. Identify suitable sites for new fishponds.
7. Analyze cooperatives’ governance, capacity, and market linkages.
8. Conduct stakeholder mapping and power/influence analysis.
9. Identify potential ecotourism sites and viable activities (e.g., birdwatching, cultural trails, homestays).
10. Provide actionable recommendations for ecological restoration, aquaculture, ecotourism, sociocultural engagement, and cooperative strengthening.

3. Scope of Work

Wetland Mapping & Validation:

• Generate spatial data on wetlands.
• Ground-truth and validate with local stakeholders.

Ecological Assessment:

• Identify and prioritize degraded wetlands.
• Estimate land under wetland and upland use.
• Document ecological services, biodiversity, and cultural values.

Aquaculture Assessment:

• Assess existing fishponds’ productivity and sustainability.
• Recommend sites for new fishponds with technical and socioeconomic justification.

Sociocultural & Stakeholder Assessment:

• Map stakeholders, including households, leaders, CSOs, and private sector actors.
• Profile participants, focusing on gender, youth, and vulnerable groups.
• Analyze sociocultural dynamics affecting wetland use and governance.

Cooperatives & Institutions Analysis:

• Identify general and enterprise-specific cooperatives.
• Assess governance, membership, functionality, and capacity gaps.
• Recommend strategies to strengthen cooperatives and link them to markets.

Ecotourism Potential Analysis:

• Identify potential ecotourism sites.
• Recommend activities based on ecological, cultural, and market potential.
• Assess community readiness, infrastructure needs, and environmental capacity.

Reporting & Validation:

• Present preliminary findings in a stakeholder workshop.
• Develop a comprehensive assessment report with an actionable framework.

4. Deliverables

The consultant shall provide:

1. Inception report with methodology, tools, and work plan.
2. GIS-based wetland maps.
3. Prioritized list of degraded wetland areas.
4. Database of existing and potential fishpond sites.
5. Stakeholder and beneficiary mapping database.
6. Profile and analysis of cooperatives.
7. List of ecotourism sites with recommended activities.
8. Evaluation of economic viability and market potential of ecotourism sites.
9. Draft assessment report.
10. Final comprehensive report with recommendations and action plan.

5. Duration & Level of Effort

60 working days including fieldwork, data analysis, stakeholder validation, and report writing.

6. Required Expertise & Qualifications

The consultancy firm should demonstrate:

• Experience in wetland ecology, GIS mapping, and natural resource assessments.
• Expertise in aquaculture, hydrology, and fisheries.
• Knowledge of ecotourism planning, market analysis, and sustainable development.
• Expertise in sociology, anthropology, or community development.
• Capacity in stakeholder analysis and cooperative development.
• Experience conducting large-scale field research in Uganda.

Multidisciplinary team required:

• Wetlands ecologist/environmental scientist
• GIS/mapping expert
• Aquaculture specialist
• Ecotourism planner/market analyst
• Sociologist/Cooperative development specialist

7. Reporting & Supervision

The consultancy firm will work under Rikolto Uganda’s supervision, in coordination with local government, district natural resource offices, the Wetlands Department (MWE), and community leaders.

8. Submission of Proposal

Interested firms should submit:

• Technical proposal (methodology, team, work plan).
• Financial proposal (itemized budget in UGX).
• Company profile, registration documents, and evidence of similar assignments.
• CVs of key experts.

📩 Send submissions to eastafrica.recruitment@rikolto.org
Subject: Wetland Ecological, Aquaculture, and Sociocultural Assessment Proposal
Deadline: 21st October 2025

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