The program aims to tackle various public policy issues related to ecological stewardship, democracy, and equity. The African Great Lakes Region has been grappling with environmental management challenges for more than a decade, which have been acknowledged by numerous global, regional, and national policy instruments. Anthropogenic activities, pollution, land degradation, and climate change accelerated by big corporations are some of the significant environmental problems that continue to devastate protected areas. At the national level, both formal and informal government decisions have contributed to the escalating rate of environmental degradation.

The exacerbating marginalization of communities dependent on natural resources, in combination with poor governance, represents the most significant threat to personal and national security, not only in Uganda but also worldwide. As a result, the program concentrates on advocating and lobbying for the safeguarding of environmental rights defenders and the conservation of natural resources.