In the heart of Northern Uganda, where the scars of a 2 decade LRA war still linger, the Laudato Si’ Club of Koch Goma is sowing seeds of hope,  not only for the environment but for an entire generation. Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ continues to inspire action and healing in places that have long yearned for peace, renewal, and restoration.

Koch Goma, a parish nestled in Gulu District, bears the deep scars of the two-decade-long war led by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). During this time, the region experienced widespread destruction of forests, displacement of communities, and the near-collapse of its social fabric. Over 1.5 million people were displaced during the LRA insurgency, many of whom lived in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) for years. Our Parish church too served as a camp.

Today, although the guns have fallen silent, the region battles new yet related challenges:

More than 85% of Uganda’s population relies on agriculture for survival, and in Northern Uganda, that percentage is even higher. But without climate knowledge, land restoration skills, or access to proper resources, young people are often left behind in this mission. In response, we welcomed the Laudato Youth Initiative to launch a Laudato Si’ Club at Koch Goma Parish, to give hops and mobilize young people to socialise, unite in action for our common home, reclaim their land, engage in faith programs, make peace in their families, and their future grounded in Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home beginning with ourself. We realised our internal environment needs much attention following the challenges of hatred still carried from the impact of war, trauma, poverty etc..

This initiative is part of a larger vision to create an ecologically conscious and climate-resilient generation, especially in regions that are both post-conflict and climate-vulnerable. As Uganda ranks among the top five countries with the fastest-growing youth populations, with over 77% of its population under the age of 30, this work has never been more urgent. The country is rich in potential but without intentional action, that potential risks being lost.

The situation in Northern Uganda is further compounded by the effects of climate change, with longer droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and land degradation affecting food security and household incomes. Uganda also continues to lose approximately 90,000 hectares of forest cover each year, with Northern Uganda among the hardest-hit regions due to high demand for grazing land, charcoal and timber, and low enforcement of reforestation efforts. Because of war many forests were cleared as the acted as hiding places for the enemies of peace and now we are on a path of recovery.

As the National Laudato Youth Conference approaches, young leaders from across the country will gather to raise their voices for a country in crisis, but also one full of possibility. The Koch Goma youth will lead conversations on building resilience where it matters. In food, peace, land and water accessibility, and will invite delegates to empower this youth group and other youth groups in the region to supported climate resilient activities for integrated land-use planning, and farmer-centred innovations like climate-smart agriculture and water harvesting. These are seen as critical aspect to ensuring food security, protecting natural resources and conserving ecosystems among both the rural and urban household of Northern Uganda and the Laudato Si Club of Koch Goma . 

Nature-based solutions, including reforestation, water harvesting, forest conservation could real climate action owing to the fact that they are cost-effective and deeply rooted in our African cultural and spiritual values. Beyond their ecological value, which could also generate local jobs and improve community well-being among the needy community an approach that will address the prevalence of hunger and poverty among our people. Our clubs approach to Mentoring, Accompaniment, Support, and Training — as a practical pathway to empower youth in rural and post-conflict areas will see this club spark a journey of ecological conversion, peace dialogue, and community empowerment in Northern Uganda.

The Laudato Youth believe that this model, rooted in faith and action, can help address the urgent ecological and social gaps left behind by the war. From teaching sustainable farming and tree planting to climate literacy and mental health awareness, this is not just a club,  it is an initiative with a vision for intergenerational healing and resilience bringing to light the vision of Pope Francis in Laudato Si.

The Koch Goma Laudato Si’ Club reminds us that ecological restoration is also spiritual and psychological restoration. Healing the land is healing ourselves. Creating sustainable livelihoods is restoring dignity. And teaching youth to care for the Earth is forming them to care for their future. In a region where violence once stole childhoods, forests, and futures now there is a rising generation saying:

This is hope in action, inspired by Laudato Si’, rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, and lived out in the red soil of Northern Uganda. Together, we envision a Uganda where every youth, no matter their past, has the tools, knowledge, and faith to become a climate leader and where no community is left behind in the journey toward integral ecology.