The Ministry of Water and Environment, has rallied Ugandans to join hands, help protect and restore water and environment resources in order to benefit from their services more especially in the Covid-19 era.
The state Minister for Water, Aisha Sekindi while launching the activities to mark the 5th Uganda Water and Environment Week 2022, at the Ministry offices in Luzira, noted that combating the challenges of water and environmental degradation as well as impacts of climate change, should not be restricted to the government institutions alone, saying that this requires all stakeholders.
“The private sector, Civil Society organizations, Cultural institutions, Religious institutions, the private sector, the youth, community organizations, the local communities, the media, among others, need to join this cause, the challenges and effects of our deeds affect all, both poor and rich, women, children and men, including all other natural resources,” she said.
Adding, “I therefore call upon every one of us to do something to restore green environment, protect the water and environment resources including forests, water bodies, wetlands, land, and if we have to enjoy today and tomorrow without compromising the needs of the future generations.”
Sekindi revealed that environmental degradation in Uganda has been increasing in an unprecedented rate. For instance, from 1900 to 2017, 2.4 million hectares of forest cover had been lost.
Uganda’s wetlands are experiencing unsustainable degradation rate of 2% annually. From the ministry’s assessment, the total renewable surface water resources reduced by 34% between 1995 and 2011 and this is continuing.
She said that Pollution of water resources is on the increase due to high population growth, urbanization, industrialization, indiscriminate waste disposal, as well as degradation of water catchments.
Since 2019, Uganda has been experiencing intensive rains resulting in floods with tremendous damages and losses, including loss of lives, settlements, threats to major water infrastructures, essential services and property. These unfortunate events have resulted into negative impacts to the efforts in socio-economic development of our country, she noted.
The minister called for a mind-set change in handling water and environment resources if the country is to survive the negative impacts of our misuse and climate change.
She warned those in illegal protected zones of the lake, rivers, wetlands, mountain slopes and forest to vacate or else be evicted.
Speaking at the same event the Chairperson of the National Organizing Committee, Dr. Florence Grace Adongo noted that they are are privileged to have dedicated Ugandans to create awareness on water, environment resources and climate change aspects.
“It’s a duty for everyone to protect the resources around them for the current and future generations. The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Environment and Bulungibwansi in Buganda Kingdom,” Mariam Nkalubo Mayanja from Buganda Kingdom emphasized.
The minister also used the event to launch and flag off the 450 KM walk for Water, Environment and Climate change.
The “450 kilometre Walk for Water, Environment and Climate Change” from Kampala Capital City to Lira City is an annual flagship program of the Ministry of Water and Environment since 2018.
During the walk, there will be several stopovers at designated points along the route to among others join communities and institutions in creating awareness, demonstrating best practices and action on the ground for clean and healthy water and environment.
The National Forestry Authority has provided one million (1,000,000) assorted tree seedlings for planting as part of the celebration of the Uganda Water and Environment Week 2022.
Sekindi rallied Ugandans to seize the opportunity with both hands, plant and grow as many trees as they can.
Speaking at the same event, Geoffrey walker Ayeri the Team leader at the Uganda Walkers Association noted that the 450 km walk will take them 15 days of walking, with a number of activities aligned towards the route at all stages.
He said that due to the increased abuses on the environmental, he was inspired to walk and create some awareness.