Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), in partnership with World Wide Fund Uganda (WWF), has announced the demarcation and restoration of 15 kilometers of the Kibaale Wetland in the Kakigani micro-catchment area along River Rwizi.
The Kibaale wetland is one of the biggest wetlands and tributaries of River Rwizi, one of South Western Uganda’s most critical water sources.
The wetland covers 84 hectares and is approximately 25 kilometers in length and has for over the years, suffered from degradation due to unregulated human activities such as sand mining, brick-making, and farming.
Speaking at a press conference, Emmanuel Njuki, NBL’s Legal and Corporate Affairs Lead, noted that the wetland is already showing signs of recovery due to the restoration efforts.
“We’re already seeing signs of natural regeneration, and encouragingly, communities are beginning to embrace wetland conservation as essential to protecting the ecosystem,” Njuki said. “Wetlands support food production, purify water, and help recharge groundwater systems. Their health directly impacts our lives.”
Njuki noted that the restoration is aligned with the Rwizi Catchment Management Plan, which has guided a range of sustainable water and environment interventions.
“River Rwizi is the backbone of life and livelihood for millions of people in Mbarara District. We are proud to support interventions that contribute to improved water quality and quantity in the river’s system, noted Njuki.
“We have implemented several interventions along the river buffer zone, including soil and water conservation, agroforestry, rainwater harvesting tanks, riverbank and wetland restoration, and the provision of alternative income-generating activities to communities around the River Rwizi river bank.”
As part of the river’s rehabilitation, NBL also unveiled 13 newly constructed concrete rainwater harvesting tanks, bringing the total number to 22 tanks installed across six villages in the Kakigani micro-catchment area of Rwampara District.
Each tank has a capacity of 10,000 litres, serving approximately 10 households. This will enhance access to water for more than 1,000 people in Rutooma, Kanyangi, Biti, Kitookye, Karagwe, and Kacucu villages.
“The tanks capture rainwater from rooftops, reducing the erosion caused by stormwater runoff,” said Njuki. “They also ease the burden on school-going children who previously had to walk long distances to fetch water. With closer access to clean water, children can now attend school regularly.”
To monitor the impact of these interventions, two water monitoring stations have been installed downstream of the restoration areas.
These stations provide reliable data on water flow and quality, enabling NBL and other partners to make evidence-based decisions and track environmental progress in real time.
A new box culvert has been constructed at Ndeija Wetland in Kiremba, Rwampara District, replacing a previously impassable section of road that was frequently flooded during the rainy season.
“During the rainy season, the wetland would often flood, cutting off communities from schools, markets, and health centres,” said Njuki.
“This new bridge restores access and guides floodwaters safely into the wetland. That’s a win for both people and the environment. It also helps fulfill one of our core project objectives: improving water quality and quantity in the River Rwizi.”
Since 2019, Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), in partnership with World Wide Fund (WWF), has been implementing a comprehensive restoration project to address water security challenges in the Rwizi catchment area.
“Our goal is to ensure that 100% of our communities in high-stress areas have measurably improved water availability and quality by 2025,” noted Njuki.
“River Rwizi is a lifeline for both people and biodiversity in southwestern Uganda. The restoration of Kibaale Wetland is not only reviving the health of this critical river system but also directly improving the livelihoods of surrounding communities,” said Ivan Tumuhimbise, WWF Uganda Country Director.
“WWF Uganda is proud to work alongside Nile Breweries Limited in this shared commitment to restore ecosystems, enhance water security, and support sustainable community development. We remain steadfast in our efforts to protect and preserve River Rwizi for present and future generations.”
