Where communities Protect their land, water, and future

We're a grassroots organisation rooted in Uganda's frontline communities - defending environmental rights, protecting Indigenous peoples, and building resilience where it matters most.

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Protect Nature

Conserving ecosystems and biodiversity.

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Reduce Pollution

Working to clean our air, land, and water.

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Build a Better Future

Empowering communities for lasting change.

20+
Projects Completed
10K+
Volunteers
15+
Countries
50k+
Trees Planted
What We Do

Featured Causes

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🌲 Forests
Save Our Forests

Protect and restore forests, the lungs of our planet. We fight deforestation and champion reforestation worldwide.

Learn More →
🌊 Lakes
Clean Our Waterbodies

Stop plastic pollution and restore marine life. Our coastal teams remove tonnes of waste every month.

Learn More →
⚡ Climate
Climate Action

Address climate change and build a sustainable future through advocacy, education, and community projects.

Learn More →

Be the Change Our Planet Needs

Every action, no matter how small, makes a big difference. Join millions working for a cleaner world.

Who We Are

Born from the struggle. Built by communities.

We didn't emerge from a boardroom. Roots & Rights Initiative grew out of years of hands-on organizing through XR Justice Movement Uganda — walking alongside communities facing oil pipelines, land dispossession, and ecological destruction.

Our Mission

Our roots are in resistance. Our future is in resilience

We combine grassroots action, community empowerment, defender protection, and storytelling to address the real causes — and real consequences — of environmental injustice. We operate in Kampala, Dar es Salaam, and Nairobi, with reach across East Africa.

2023
Year Founded
200+
Team Members
Team working
Our Values

What Guides Everything We Do

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SOLIDARITY

We promote long-term, lasting solutions that protect our natural world.

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ACCOUNTABILITY

We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all we do.

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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

We believe we are stronger together and champion collective action.

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INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

We inspire action and create impact by equipping individuals with tools.

"We believe in a world where people and nature thrive together — and we're building it, one action at a time."

Our Causes

Explore the Causes We're Working On

Six interconnected areas where your support creates measurable, lasting environmental change.

Nature

Environment Protection

Frontline communities face environmental destruction without support or legal recourse.

Solidarity

Stand with Activists

Environmental defenders are threatened, criminalized, and silenced.

Awareness

Invite Youth into Activism

Young people urgently need pathways to lead climate and justice work.

Indigenous communities

Stengthening Indigenous communities

Indigenous communities — especially the Batwa — face dispossession, poverty, and erasure.

Pollution

Reduce Pollution

Critical water ecosystems are being degraded with no accountability.

Lifestyle

Sustainable Living

International finance flows to harmful projects while communities bear the cost.

Have a cause in mind? Let's make a difference together.

Take Action

Small Actions Today, Big Changes Tomorrow

Here's how you can help right now — from individual lifestyle changes to supporting our global campaigns.

Four Ways to Help

Your Impact Starts Here

1

Reduce Your Footprint

Make environmentally conscious choices in your daily life. From diet and transport to energy use and shopping, small shifts add up to massive collective change.

Get the guide →
2

Volunteer

Join local cleanups, tree planting drives, and environmental education events near you. We have volunteer programmes in 45+ countries and counting.

Find events →
3

Spread the Word

Share our mission and inspire others in your network. Social media awareness, workplace advocacy, and community outreach all create ripple effects.

Share resources →
4

Support Our Work

Donate or fund our environmental projects directly. 91 cents of every dollar goes to on-the-ground programmes, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate now →

Your action today shapes a better tomorrow.

Join thousands who are already making a real difference for our planet.

Projects

Our Projects

Discover the projects we're leading around the world — from rainforest restoration to renewable energy for schools.

All
Ongoing
Completed

Rainforest Restoration

Restoring endangered areas and protecting biodiversity in the basins.

Ongoing

Landing Site Cleanup Initiative

Removing plastic waste from coastlines and beaches across Uganda.

Ongoing

Community Tree Planting

Planting trees and building greener urban communities across 30 towns.

Completed

Renewable Energy for Schools in North Eastern Uganda

Deploying solar energy solutions for rural schools in Uganda.

Ongoing

Total Pipe Line Monitoring

Monitoring Total degradation activities while installing pipelines in Western Uganda

Ongoing

Want to support a project?

Every contribution helps fund real, on-the-ground work.

Events

Upcoming Events

Join us at our upcoming events and be part of the movement. Every person who shows up makes a difference.

2026 Calendar

Events Near You

View All Events →
JUN
05

World Environment Day Cleanup

A city-wide cleanup event bringing together thousands of volunteers to tackle litter and plastic waste.

📍 Kampala, Uganda
JUN
17

Tree Planting Drive

Community-led tree planting in schools' parks. All tools and saplings provided. Families welcome.

📍 Eastern Uganda
JUL
22

Sustainability Workshop

An online workshop covering practical sustainability habits, circular economy, and low-impact living.

🌐 Online — Free to join
AUG
10

Water Body Cleanup Day

Join our landing sites crew to clear plastic waste from local beaches and landing sites. Gear provided.

📍 Lake Victoria, Uganda
Blog

Latest Articles, Tips & Environmental Stories

Stay informed with insights from our team on sustainability, nature, and the latest environmental news.

Tips • May 13, 2024
10 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Use

Simple swaps and habits that can dramatically cut the plastic you use every day at home and on the go.

Read More →
Nature • May 8, 2024
Why Trees Are Essential for Life

From oxygen production to carbon sequestration, trees are the backbone of life on Earth and our best allies.

Read More →
Climate • May 1, 2024
Climate Change: What You Need to Know

A clear, science-based overview of the climate crisis, its causes, and the most impactful actions communities can take.

Read More →
Wildlife • Apr 22, 2024
Protecting Endangered Species in 2024

An update on the world's most at-risk animals and the conservation breakthroughs giving us real hope.

Read More →
Get Involved

Get Involved

There are many ways you can get involved and make an impact. Find the path that fits your life and skills.

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Volunteer

Give your time and skills to our environmental projects around the world. Local and remote roles available.

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Become a Member

Join our community of changemakers, gain exclusive resources, and help fund critical programmes.

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Start a Fundraiser

Raise funds for important causes by running your own campaign for GreenFuture in your community.

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Corporate Partnership

Partner with us to create impact and achieve your sustainability and CSR goals as an organisation.

Together, we can create a better planet for all.

Join 85,000+ volunteers who are already changing the world through action.

Donate

Your investment reaches where most funders can't.

We are small by design, grassroots by conviction. Funding us means your resources go directly to frontline communities — not to overheads, not to intermediaries, not to consultants far from the problem.

Contact Us

We'd Love to Hear from You

Have a question, idea, or partnership proposal? Reach out — we read every message.

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Email

rootsandrightsinitiative@gmail.com

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Phone

+256 740 701 368

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Address

Kampala · Dar es Salaam · Nairobi

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Subject

Partnerships, volunteering, donations, press