By joining digital tools with community action, we aim to see a 40% reduction in wildfires to protect our natural habitats and the future of our home. @Y4Cofficial @UNDP_RomeCentre

However, we know that technology works best when it has a human touch. This is why we are training local youth and women to be on-ground fire monitors who use their mobile phones to share live updates directly from the field to the Firelens system.

We created the FireLens software platform to change this story by using satellite imagery and predictive math to see danger before it becomes a disaster. Our goal is to detect 60% of fires within just 24 hours, so we can change the story of fire management in Uganda.

How do you stop a wildfire before it starts? For a long time, detecting a blaze relied almost entirely on someone seeing smoke and reporting it, but by then the fire was often too big to stop.

@Y4Cofficial @UNDP_RomeCentre

When forests burn, so does the money for schools and hospitals, leaving the local economy in a tough spot. Protecting nature isn't just about the environment; it's about supporting our communities and making sure schools, hospitals, and the local economy can keep running.

We saw in places like Kabarole that the forest isn't just a resource; it's what keeps the local economy going, providing income. But we also learned the hard way that forest fires don't just hurt the environment; they directly harm the communities.

In Kikuube, a major challenge is the influx of refugees into the Kyangwali Refugee settlement. This has increased pressure on Bugoma Central Forest Reserve and Kabwooya Wildlife Reserve, thus raising the likelihood of wildfires, particularly during hunting activities.

he stakes of our work became very real when we heard the story of a woman who lost her life to a wildfire that became unmanageable. Stories like this move our mission from the world of technology into the world of human life. @Y4Cofficial @UNDP_RomeCentre

This was a massive eye-opener for us. It meant that our work cannot stop at the park gates; we have to work with the farmers and the people living nearby to truly save our forests. T

During the visit to the districts, we discovered something that changed our entire approach while we were in Masindi. Roughly 70% of wildfires actually start on community lands, especially near sugarcane plantations.

This was a massive eye-opener for us. It meant that our work cannot stop at the park gates; we have to work with the farmers and the people living nearby to truly save our forests.

...to listen to the people who live on the front lines of these fires. We wanted to understand their reality because technology alone is not the answer. @Y4Cofficial @UNDP_RomeCentre

This region is home to incredible life, but the dry grass reminded us how quickly a small flame could turn into a tragedy. Our team at MapRI travelled through five districts of Buliisa, Masindi, Hoima, Kikuube and Kabarole...

We took our ideas from the office directly into the field within the Albertine Graben. Our target areas included: Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, Kabwooya Wildlife Reserve, Murchison Falls National Park and Kibaale National Park.

We finally understood that planting trees is only half the battle; we also have to act as the shield that protects them. This is why we started our mission to safeguard our biodiversity for the generations to come. @UNDP_RomeCentre @Y4Cofficial

Thousands of trees have been planted across Uganda over several years. It was a hopeful effort until we realized that every dry season, our hard work was being swallowed by wildfires. It felt like a punch to the gut.

Can you guess how fast a wildfire can spread in a dry forest or game park? The answer might shock you.

Congratulations once again to @MichaelJurua ! We are proud to be part of this journey and even more excited for what lies ahead.

At MapRI, we believe that local action backed by science and community engagement can spark global transformation. This award is a testament to that belief and to the dedication, vision, and leadership of our ED.