By Kenneth Musiimenta & Clare Nayebare
In a shocking revelation, Frank Asaba, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Kabarole District, has pointed fingers at local leaders for failing to protect River Mpanga and the surrounding environment. He criticized their lack of active involvement in environmental conservation efforts and insufficient public sensitization on best practices.
Speaking during the closure of a two-day reflection meeting on water resources management and climate change, Asaba highlighted the continued degradation of River Mpanga, which has been heavily silted due to human activities. He called upon the Ministry of Water and Environment to prioritize desilting as a means of restoring the river’s capacity.
The meeting, held at Kalya Courts Hotel in Fort Portal City, was organized by Water for People with support from the Hilton Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment and other partners. It attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including religious and cultural leaders, media representatives, NGOs such as NRDI and Rwenzori Aid, and officials from the five districts of Kabarole, Kamwenge, Ibanda, Kitagwenda, and Kyenjojo.
Collective Efforts Required to save R.Mpanga
Stella Kahunde, speaking on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer of Kabarole, acknowledged the continued encroachment and degradation of River Mpanga despite existing interventions. She emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure the success and sustainability of restoration initiatives and the need to bridge the gap of lack of technical environmental people at Sub- county level.
Limited funding
Anthony Kalyegira, the Environmental Officer for Kitagwenda District, revealed that out of 12,327 hectares of wetlands in the district, 9,669.6 hectares remain intact while 2,685 hectares have been encroached upon. Despite radio campaigns aimed at raising awareness, Kalyegira noted that progress has been hampered by limited funding from the central government.
The Tooro Kingdom Minister for Environment reiterated the Kingdom’s long-standing commitment to conservation. He referenced the 25-year strategic plan launched by His Royal Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV three years back, which encourages subjects to plant trees and give them pet names—a cultural practice intended to instill a deeper sense of care and ownership since pet names are dear to all subjects.
He however decried rich corrupt subjects who obtain licences from government to build in swamps.
Church involvement
Faith-based leaders also emphasized the role of religion in environmental conservation. Rev. Robbina of the Anglican Church (Rwenzori Diocese) highlighted the integration of environmental messages in church teachings some thing she called holistic teachings drawing inspiration from the Bible where God asks man to take care of His creation and the formation of eco-clubs in schools to foster environmental stewardship among students.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baguma of Fort Portal Diocese referenced Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si, noting its significant influence in encouraging believers to care for creation. He revealed that youth in parishes are given tree seedlings and guided in nurturing them. Fr. Baguma also pledged to work with the Bishop to include environmental advocacy in his quarterly pastoral letters.
Harriet Katusiime, Chief Administrative Officer of Kamwenge, raised concern over the melting glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains—linking the phenomenon to human-driven climate change. She urged participants to promote mindset change and raise awareness on environmental policies.
Grace Kanweri, Senior Program Officer at Water for People, commended the commitment of stakeholders and called for stronger collaboration in environmental protection. She encouraged district environmental officers to explore additional funding opportunities to support ongoing programs.
Dr. Guma Brian, leader of the Albertine Water Management Zone, praised the reflection event as a valuable opportunity to assess progress and set new goals. He emphasized the need for local governments to integrate lessons learned and position the River Mpanga catchment area as a model for sustainable water resource management.
Dr. Guma, called on stakeholders to continuously “learn, unlearn, and relearn” throughout the environmental restoration process and focus on effectively reviving and protecting Mother Nature.
