The Ministry of Water and Environment has, over time, received criticism regarding its wetland and environment management and protection efforts. Numerous bylaws and ordinances have been passed by both central and local governments to protect wetlands and the environment from encroachers and destruction.
The government has long cautioned wetland dwellers and encroachers, which has led to the demolition of several buildings and commercial centers constructed on wetlands.
In 2023, the President of the Republic of Uganda issued an Executive Order on indiscriminate charcoal burning and wetland encroachment, particularly in northern Uganda.
In an attempt to curb and strengthen grassroots efforts in the fight against environmental degradation and wetland encroachment, the Ministry of Water and Environment, in partnership with World Bicycle Relief, is distributing 200 bicycles to Parish Chiefs and Wetland Protection Committees of 26 sub-counties in 13 districts of Uganda.
Speaking during the handover, Asst. Commissioner for Wetlands, Mr. Ongol Joseph, stated that these bicycles will aid in awareness creation and monitoring wetland areas, as some places might be unreachable by other means.
He therefore urged them to maintain the bicycles well, as they are property of the Ugandan government, cautioning them against negligence of duties.
Photo by Ojok Tonny.
“The purpose of providing these bicycles is to help in the creation of awareness and monitoring of wetland areas. Some of these wetlands are found in hard-to-reach areas and can only be accessed by bicycle.”
The LCV Gulu District, Hon. Opiyo Ateker, who received the bicycles on behalf of beneficiaries from the two districts of Gulu and Kitgum, thanked the Ministry of Water and Environment for providing this cheaper alternative for wetland monitoring.
He further stated that Gulu District has suffered significant effects on its rainfall patterns due to climate change, and the fight against wetland abuse is a cause everyone should embrace.
Gulu and Kitgum remain the only districts in the Acholi sub-region to benefit from these programs, receiving 35 bicycles, with two sub-counties represented from each district. The sub-counties that benefited from Gulu include Unyama and Owoo.
The sub-counties that benefited from Kitgum were Kitgum Matidi, Mucwini, Orom, Lagoro, Labongo Layamo, and Kitgum Matidi Town Council, according to the Environment Officer of Kitgum District.
The distribution of bicycles is also set to include some districts from the Lango sub-region, with 39 bicycles allocated for the two districts of Oyam and Lira respectively.
