Large black sandbags, part of a mobile flood barrier system, are strategically placed along the riverbank with trees and vegetation in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

WaveSave’s Integrated Flood Protection Solutions

Obongi District in Uganda

Project Overview

Background & Goal

The Obongi District in Uganda’s West Nile Sub-Region experiences severe recurring floods from the River Nile and Kochi River, resulting in widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and livelihood disruption. Outdated flood management approaches and lack of adaptable protection infrastructure have left communities exposed to escalating climate risks, with refugees, women, children, and the elderly disproportionately affected.

 

The goal was to implement an intelligent flood and drought management system in Obongi District using WaveDam mobile flood barriers to protect vulnerable communities, enhance water security, and build local capacity for sustainable climate resilience.

Solution

WaveSave delivered a comprehensive climate resilience solution through four integrated components:

  • Flood and Drought Risk Assessment
  • Data-Driven Deployment Strategy
  • Real-Time Monitoring Platform
  • Community-Based Response Framework
  • Rapid-Deployment WaveDam System

Clients and Donors

Primary client is Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda with financial support by the Adaptation Fund.

Location

Location: Obongi District, Uganda (Upper Albert Nile Catchment Area)

Timeline: 2022 – 2024

Project impact

  • Protected Critical Infrastructure
  • Strengthened Local Emergency Response
  • Improved Community Resilience
  • Enhanced Water Security
  • Sustainable Adaptation Model

Gallery

Topographic map of a region with highlighted points marked 1 to 6. Shows rivers, terrain elevation, national park, and surrounding areas with thin gray lines demarcating borders.

Four maps showing water drainage progression over 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours in a region. Blue lines depict drainage patterns spreading over time.

Map showing marked locations with red stars on a detailed road and river network. Inset zooms in on an area with three red stars near a river.

Aerial view of a landscape with a winding river and a road running vertically on the left. Sparse vegetation and patches of farmland are visible.

Aerial view of a winding river surrounded by arid land and sparse vegetation, with a road running parallel to the river on the left side of the image.

People in black shirts next to a white SUV and stacks of large plastic containers, outdoors with tall grass in the background.

A group of people stand outdoors under a tree, exchanging clothing. The sky is clear and sunny.

A group of people stands outdoors near equipment, including hoses and a generator, under trees. They are wearing black shirts, and a vehicle is visible in the background.

A group of people gather by a riverside with several black tarps and boxes on the ground, surrounded by greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

People setting up a water pump on a riverbank, with hoses being connected, surrounded by trees and vegetation.

Group of people standing around tarp on the ground with hoses and equipment, in an outdoor setting with trees and clouds in the background.

A group of people stand around a large black structure with hoses attached in a field. The sky is clear and sunny.

Several people standing around a large black bag with pipes, outdoors. Lush green foliage and banners are in the background.

People stand around a long black tarp with hoses and a large inflated black bag, set outdoors in a grassy area.

Person in a black hoodie working on a large black inflatable barrier near a grassy area beside a body of water.

Large black plastic tube laid on dirt in an outdoor setting, with greenery and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Large black sandbags, part of a mobile flood barrier system, are strategically placed along the riverbank with trees and vegetation in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A long, black inflatable barrier is placed along a riverbank with surrounding greenery and exposed soil.

Riverbank with muddy water and eroded soil, surrounded by green vegetation and trees under a clear blue sky. Some plastic material is visible on the bank.

A black plastic barrier lies along the edge of a muddy riverbank, with green vegetation in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Two people placing sandbags along a muddy riverside with greenery in the background.

Large black tubes lying on muddy ground next to tall grass and a riverbank, with a person walking in the background.

Key highlights

SLAMDAM is a mobile flood barrier designed to provide rapid and effective flood protection.
Unlike traditional flood defenses, SLAMDAM can be deployed quickly.

Rapid deployment

Deployed 200 m of SLAMDAM in less than 2 hours to prevent glacier-melt flooding.

Community training

Local teams were trained in deploying and managing SLAMDAM and the early warning system.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Resilience building

Reduced flood damage to homes and protected 250 hectares of farmland.

Early warning system

Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.

Sustainable impact

Increased long-term flood resilience through community empowerment and scalable technology

Testimonials

What our clients say

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.

Naveed Alam

Community Leader Passu
Community

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..

Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman
Hashmi

Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan

Want to learn more about this project or how WaveSave can bring flood protection to your community?.

Contact us now