Lira, Uganda — The Northern Uganda Water and Environment Week (NUWEWK) is set to officially kick off on Sunday, 15th March 2026, at the Uganda Technical College (UTC) playgrounds. The week-long event, themed “Ensuring Environmentally Sustainable and Climate Resilient Economies and Communities,” aims to boost regional awareness and community action on environmental protection, water conservation, and climate change adaptation.
NUWEWK 2026 promises a vibrant and engaging program designed to mobilize citizens, institutions, and schools across Northern Uganda.
According to Lira City Environment Officer, Mr. Leonard Otika, the opening ceremony on the 15th will feature keynote addresses from regional leaders and environmental experts, followed by a symbolic tree-planting initiative and a public awareness campaign.
“We are calling on all members of the community—youth, elders, schools, civil society, and the private sector—to actively participate,” Otika emphasized. “The theme reflects the urgent need to build economies and communities that can withstand the increasing shocks of climate change while conserving our precious water and natural resources.”
Following the launch, a series of activities will take place across including:
16th–17th March 2026: A large-scale tree-planting exercise will be conducted in selected wetlands and degraded areas around the city. Volunteers from schools, NGOs, and local government departments are expected to plant over 10,000 seedlings as part of a broader afforestation effort.
18th March 2026: A school debate and public speaking competition will be hosted at UTC Lira. Over 30 secondary schools from across the region will participate, focusing on topics related to water governance, waste management, and climate innovation.
19th March 2026: A clean-up exercise will culminate at the Mayor’s Garden, where an open-day environmental exhibition will showcase innovations in waste recycling, water harvesting, and sustainable agriculture. Local entrepreneurs, environmental clubs, and technical institutions will display their green initiatives.
Highlighting the strong collaboration, Otika praised the partnership of major financial institutions such as DFCU Bank, Opportunity Bank, Equity Bank, Stanbic Bank, Absa, DTB, and Centenary Bank, all of which are supporting the event through funding, volunteerism, and outreach.
The week-long event will conclude with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding schools, community groups, and individuals championing environmental sustainability.
With climate change increasingly affecting agricultural cycles and water availability in Northern Uganda, officials say initiatives like NUWEWK are critical to fostering long-term resilience and empowering communities with practical solutions.
Residents are encouraged to participate in all events, with free entry to exhibitions and organized transport for schools involved in the clean-up and tree-planting activities.
