Harmonizing Growth and Conservation
In Uganda, a nation on the path to achieving upper middle-class status, a pressing issue has emerged: how to balance environmental preservation and development. Civil society organizations argue that for growth to be truly sustainable, these two seemingly opposing forces must coexist, not only for the present but also for future generations.
Jacob Nue, the head of engagement at Caritas Denmark, observed that Uganda has achieved this equilibrium, setting an example for wealthier nations grappling with the consequences of gas emissions. During his visit to Uganda, he marveled at the distinctiveness of the environment and the deliciousness of the local cuisine. Nue stressed the importance of preserving these unique attributes through environmental conservation.
Nue’s visit to Uganda included stops at St James Catholic Primary School and Luzira Church of Uganda Primary School in the Nakawa division. Here, he emphasized the significance of tree planting as a means to reduce emissions from industries and mitigate their impact on the environment.
Accompanying Nue were twenty ninth-grade students from Niels Steensen High School in Copenhagen, Denmark. Together, they engaged in climate-related discussions and campaigns with their Ugandan counterparts. The topic of their debate was “Environment Conservation: Key to Development,” and the Ugandan students triumphed, securing 13 points to Niels Steensen High School’s nine. Furthermore, they jointly undertook tree-planting initiatives at the two schools, which are among the beneficiaries of Caritas Denmark’s programs.
The underlying objective of this endeavor, as articulated by Hellen Kasujja, the deputy executive director of the Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI), is to provide a platform for young people to share their experiences related to environmental preservation and climate change. Kasujja stressed that Uganda, like many African nations, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, despite having minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Floods, landslides, and droughts have taken a toll on the country, especially affecting students, with tragic instances of schoolchildren being swept away in floods underscoring the urgency of environmental conservation.
The belief that environmental conservation and development can coexist is a vital principle for Uganda, given its current stage of industrial growth. Natural resources, such as forests and wetlands, remain essential as they provide raw materials for industries. Hence, development can proceed without depleting these vital ecosystems. However, the importance of these resources is often forgotten, highlighting the need for greater community awareness.
Chaplain Norgdaard, the Danish school chaplain from Niels Steensen High School, emphasized that this trip allowed students to understand the stark contrasts between Uganda and Denmark. While Denmark enjoys affluence, Uganda faces the challenges of extreme poverty, which made the Danish students appreciate the need for sustainable development.
Sylvia Nakanyike Mukasa, the program coordinator of the Uganda Governance and Poverty Alleviation Program (UGOPAP), aimed to empower the young generation to lead the way as future leaders. She highlighted the adverse consequences of replacing natural forests with Eucalyptus trees, stressing that informed decisions are essential to environmental conservation.
The impact of CIDI’s involvement with St James Bbiina Catholic Primary School was particularly notable in enhancing girls’ menstrual hygiene. Prior to this partnership, girls were dropping out of school at an alarming rate. With support from CIDI and Caritas, girls are now more likely to stay in school, and they have learned to create reusable pads, addressing an issue that previously hindered their education.
The Danish students also contributed to environmental conservation by cleaning the Bugolobi market, promoting clean and hygienic market stalls. The collaboration between Paul Mugambe, the mayor of Nakawa Division, and CIDI focuses on educating youth and women groups on waste management, including sorting rubbish and creating briquettes for sale. Additionally, communities have been trained to recycle plastic materials and convert organic waste into valuable manure. These initiatives exemplify the synergy between conservation and development, benefiting the environment and local communities.
