MBARARA CITY, Uganda — Leaders and environmental stakeholders have launched the Western Uganda regional celebrations of Uganda Water and Environment Week in Mbarara City, bringing together government officials, development partners, environmental experts, and community members to promote conservation and responsible management of water resources.
The week-long event is marked by a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about environmental protection, particularly the conservation of wetlands, which play a crucial role in water storage, flood control, and ecosystem balance.
Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Mayor of Mbarara City, emphasized the need for joint efforts among different stakeholders to safeguard water resources in the rapidly growing city.
“As a city, we cannot operate in isolation. We need the community, stakeholders, technical teams, and the media to work together in protecting these resources,” Kakyebezi said.
However, the mayor noted that public attitudes toward environmental conservation remain a major challenge despite ongoing efforts by the National Environment Management Authority.
“The population in the city is growing rapidly, and while NEMA is doing a great job, the community’s attitude remains a challenge,” he added.
Environmental officials also raised concerns over continued encroachment on wetlands, warning that illegal activities such as backfilling are worsening flooding in some parts of the city.
According to Joseph Asasira, an environment officer at Mbarara City Council, wetlands are increasingly under threat despite their importance in managing water flow.
“We still have cases of backfilling wetlands, which is illegal. Wetlands act as reservoirs, yet whenever it rains, we face floods in Kiyanja, Biharwe, and Koranorya,” Asasira said.
He explained that the activities planned during the week are intended to help residents better understand their role in protecting wetlands and other natural resources.
Meanwhile, Thomas Kamusiime, the Rwizi Police Community Liaison Officer, highlighted the role of law enforcement in protecting the environment, though he stressed that enforcement should come after community engagement and sensitization.
“When people fail to comply, it becomes the police’s duty to intervene. However, we prefer working with technical teams to find solutions,” Kamusiime said.
Organizers say the regional celebrations will include community sensitization campaigns, environmental clean-up exercises, and discussions on sustainable water resource management across Western Uganda.
The regional event forms part of the broader national observance of Uganda Water and Environment Week, an initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between government institutions, communities, and development partners in addressing environmental challenges and safeguarding Uganda’s natural resources for future generations.
