By Jamila Kemigisa
Tooro Botanical Gardens in Fort Portal was the venue for the Water and Environment Week for the Albertine region, bringing together stakeholders, policymakers, and conservationists to discuss urgent environmental issues. The event featured an exhibition and open dialogue on the growing challenges of environmental degradation and climate change.
The Guest of Honor, Hon. Richard Rwabuhinga, stressed the need for immediate and decisive action to combat environmental degradation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Drawing comparisons to military strategies, he emphasized that the response to these environmental challenges must be swift and massive.
He also questioned the government’s support for communities living in degraded areas, urging a transition towards more sustainable practices. Rwabuhinga called for stronger collaboration between researchers and policymakers to find lasting solutions.
This year’s theme, “Water and Environment for Enhanced Resilience and Improved Income,” was highlighted by Orijabo Albert, Assistant Commissioner from the Ministry of Water and Environment. He noted that environmental sustainability plays a key role in improving livelihoods and boosting economic resilience.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Dorothy Kirumira, Warden of the Kibale Conservation Area, shared concerning statistics about Uganda’s forests. She revealed that the country has 854 native tree species, including seven endemic species, but only 12% of Uganda’s forest cover remains. Alarmingly, 55 species are threatened with extinction, underlining the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Tooro Botanical Gardens, established in 2001, has been a leader in conservation in Uganda. Spanning 100 acres, the gardens serve as a hub for plant research, conservation, education, and recreation. Home to Uganda’s largest indigenous tree nursery, the gardens play a vital role in restoring local forests and protecting endangered species.
The Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment through the Water Resources Institute.
Since 2018, UWEWK has aimed to promote sustainable socio-economic transformation, in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan and Vision 2040. The week offers a platform for knowledge sharing, advocacy, and collaboration, focusing on the management of Uganda’s water and environmental resources.
The Fort Portal event showcased a range of initiatives in water and environmental conservation, reflecting a strong community commitment to addressing the region’s environmental challenges.
