For the last 10 years the border town  with a population of over 14,000 has been operating without a landfill and proper garbage management system.

This has since forced the residents in  the area to indiscriminately dump waste in the wetlands, bushes, corridors and along the road side exposing the community to deadly diseases like dysentery and cholera among others

Kule Kasim, the Local Council One chairperson Lorikwo West Cell, has blamed Amuru District Local government for failing  to set up a proper solid waste management system, something he says is exposing them to deadly diseases.

According to Kule, the hygiene situation is worrying and no leader is bothered about the plight of the community saying  with the return of rains  the area is most likely to be struck by malaria and cholera.

Micheal Lakony, the Amuru District LCV chairperson, has admitted the problem blaming it on the inadequate funds, environmental degradation and poor waste disposal culture among the community.

He however, said his office has raised concern with the Ministry of Local government and finance for support to help address the issues of poor garbage management.

Patrick Lamot, a Public Health Expert working for the Ministry of Health and Attached to Elegu Border Post, said the lack of proper waste management system has exposed the communities to diseases like typhoid and dysentery.

According to Lamot, their health facility is currently overwhelmed with cases of typhoid and dysentery coming as results of hygiene.

He said they have now embarked on community sensitization to improve waste management as they await a long term waste management project from the government to address the problem.

Poor waste management, ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal, causes air pollution, water contamination, and soil contamination. Open and unsanitary landfills contribute to the contamination of drinking water and can cause infection and transmit diseases.

A World Bank Poor Sanitation Programme report released in 2012 indicates that poor sanitation costs Uganda at least Shs389 billion annually.

The money lost in three years can meet the cost of improving hygiene facilities in the country, which stands at UGX 1.3 trillion.

Caption: Piles of plastic waste in Elegu Town Council.

According to Moses Byaruhanga, District Natural Resource Officer (DNRO) Kitagwenda, Nyakabale wetland is about six kilometers long with a number of tributaries connecting to Kikweyo wetland which forms the Rwambu wetland system.

It also serves as a water catchment area for five water sources which serves about 7 villages.

Byaruhanga said that the way Nyakabale wetland is being rapidly encroached poses a risk of having no more water in the area in future if it is not protected.

He noted that the National Environment Act 2019 gives local governments a mandate to manage and protect wetlands in their jurisdiction.

“The national environment Act 2019 gives local governments including districts a mandate to manage the wetlands within their jurisdiction,” Byaruhanga said

He added that the exercise started with a community engagement to sensitize the people about the need to restore wetlands.

“Our campaign started by creating awareness and showing the people especially those neighboring the wetlands the boundaries where the demarcations will pass and also showing them why we need to restore the wetland,” Byaruhanga explained

Byaruhanga further said that they will record coordinates to fast track the people who will vandalize the concrete pillars for easy monitoring and management of wetlands.

“Wherever we plant a pillar, we are having coordinates on record, later we shall generate a map whether you remove a pillar we can still relocate that point,” He said

The District Natural Resource Officer warned the public that whoever is caught removing the demarcation pillars, he or she will be dealt with according to the law saying that wetlands are now gazetted areas in Uganda.

Initially, wetlands were not in the gazette but in 2023, all wetlands in Uganda were gazetted and now we have a legal instrument (notice number 14 of 2023) that guarantees us a legal process. Now if you commit an environmental offence, we can now prosecute you because wetlands are now protected areas where you should not encroach.” Byaruhanga emphasised

Anthony Kalyegira, Senior Environment Officer Kitagwenda said that the district still lacks about1000 concrete pillars to demarcate all the wetlands in the district.

He therefore appealed to the central government and people in the private sector foundation to join the campaign of demarcating wetlands in the area.

“As Kitagwenda district we are trying to lobby 1000 pillars from the government and private sector to ensure that all the 46 wetlands in Kitagwenda district are fully protected. And we hope with the demarcation of concrete pillars we shall recover and restore the degrade wetlands” Kalyegira explained

Currently, the degradation rate in Kitagwenda stands at 21.56 percent with a total of over 2000 hectares of wetlands encroached in the district.

“As Kitagwenda we are experiencing degradation rate of 21.56% whereby we are losing close to 2658 hectares of wetlands.” Kalyegira said

He said that Kitagwenda district has a total of about 46 wetlands that include Nyakabale, Kanunka, Ruhagura, and Kyarutanga among others.

The Kitagwenda Vice Chairman, Peter Ashaba rallied the political leaders and stakeholders to sensitise the masses about the benefits and protection of ecosystems in the district.

“On the campaign of protecting wetlands and the environment we must come out and sensitise the public about the importance of wetlands and protecting them and as leaders let us always be the leading examples in protecting our environment such that other people can learn from us,” Ashaba said

In 2022, Kitagwenda district in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, demarcated about 34 kilometres of Kyarutanga, Kanunka, Ruhagura wetlands which form Rwambu and Mpanga rivers as part of the ecosystems in the district that were affected by human activities such as cultivation, brick making and planting of eucalyptus trees among others.

Empowering Women in Conservation

This year’s marathon carries a powerful theme: “Women are Stewards in Sustainable Utilization of Water and Environmental Resources Empowering the Girl Child in Conservation.” Seith Murari, Chairman of Abahumuza Development Group, emphasized the critical role women and girls play in environmental stewardship. “We challenge women and girls to come in large numbers and join the marathon, reinforcing their vital role in conservation efforts,” Murari stated.

Community Engagement and Achievements

Since the first marathon, community perception and behavior towards environmental conservation have significantly improved. Abahumuza Development Group has undertaken several initiatives, including planting trees in areas like Rwanyampazi, Kihumuro, and Bishop Stuart University, and restoring swamps such as Rwemigina wetland. These efforts have led to an increase in River Rwizi’s water levels during the dry season, a positive indicator of the project’s impact.

“Our observation is that in 2023, River Rwizi’s water level increased to 2.742 cubic meters during the dry season, something that never happened before,” Murari noted. “If we continue our efforts, we can fully restore the river.”

Addressing Wetland Encroachment

However, River Rwizi faces significant threats from illegal activities such as uncontrolled sand mining, brick laying, and waste disposal. Murari appealed to the public and various stakeholders to join the campaign, emphasizing that protecting River Rwizi is a collective responsibility. “We need affirmative action from individuals, corporate companies, organizations, and local leaders,” he said.

Mirro Suleiman, Project Manager at Abahumuza Development Group, highlighted the marathon’s goal to mobilize funds for conservation activities, including tree planting and reducing plastic waste disposal. “We run to show the region’s people the importance of River Rwizi and to fund activities that enhance its protection,” Suleiman explained.

Challenges in Enforcement and Government Response

Despite the group’s efforts, enforcement remains a challenge. Fred Bagonza, regional National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) officer for the southwestern region, cited staffing shortages as a significant hurdle. “We are few compared to the workload, managing an area that spans 30 districts,” Bagonza said. He urged the government to increase staffing to effectively combat environmental violations.

SP Thomas Kamusiime, Rwizi Regional Community Liaison Officer, called for sustainable solutions for communities relying on River Rwizi. “We need permanent, friendly solutions for those dependent on the river,” Kamusiime emphasized, urging the Ministry of Water to extend conservation campaigns to all districts in the river’s catchment area.

Restoration Efforts in Rucece Wetland

In a related initiative, Mbarara City has launched a campaign to restore over 4,000 hectares of the degraded Rucece wetland. David Sancho, the City Natural Resource Officer, reported that nearly half of the 9,000-hectare wetland has been lost to encroachment. “We are working to recover 4,000 hectares that locals have backfilled with soil, planted with eucalyptus trees, and used for construction,” Sancho said. This restoration aligns with a Presidential directive to evict wetland encroachers across Uganda.

Sancho highlighted the need for adequate funding to implement restoration and provide alternative livelihoods for encroachers. “Restoring wetlands requires significant financial resources,” he said, urging the central government to support these efforts.
Edgar Nabaasa, Mbarara City South Division Environment Officer, added that early sensitization and eviction notices were issued to encroachers. “We engaged the community and gave ample notice to remove illegal crops and structures,” Nabaasa explained.

Looking Forward

Robert Kanusu, Deputy Resident City Commissioner of Mbarara City North Division, reiterated the government’s commitment to evict encroachers and educate the public on wetland conservation. “We will continue to guide people on the importance of protecting our wetlands,” he said.

The two projects which were commissioned last week were funded by the International Water and Sanitation Centre [IRC] at a cost of shs 120million.

While commissioning the facilities, Ategeka commended IRC for its dedicated efforts in supplementing government’s work in the field of WASH.

“Under the Schools Facilities Grant [SFG], the district receives only shs 136million to cater for infrastructural needs of all schools annually, an amount that is not enough. This facility is worth shs 43million which is almost a third of the funds we receive under SFG and if it wasn’t for the good partners like IRC, we would be now struggling” Ategeka said.

He commended IRC for being on ground and doing tangible work.

Kasunganyanja health centre III sanitation facility has a four-stance pit latrine, a bathroom for women, water harvesting tank, a store and a urinal and the Kabonero piped water supply system has four public stand taps and a provision for extension of water to individual homesteads.

Ategeka appealed to communities to always make a contribution whenever there is need to repair the facilities so as to ensure their sustainability.

The IRC regional water advisor, Martin Watsisi said that they are making a deliberate effort to support health centres and schools because they are learning centres where people can find new things and go back to their homes to imitate them.

“I thank the district leadership for allowing us have an MOU with them and ensure that the process was successful. I however encourage the leadership of the facilities we have commissioned today to own them” he said.

He said the leadership should put in place mechanisms to ensure proper operation and maintenance to avoid the breakdown in future and they run to IRC for repairs.

He said as IRC, they have done their work but sustainability of these facilities is in the hands of the leadership and communities benefiting from them.

The Bunyangabu district Chief Administrative Officer [CAO], Isa Hood Nsubuga, commended IRC for being on ground and making impact in the district and respecting the MOU they signed with them.

He however cautioned NGOs that are doing nothing on ground despite having running MOUs with the district saying, they [district] will review the MOUs with non performing partners and terminate them where possible.

End. 

Currently, the average access to safe water in Kabarole district stands at 77 percent with some sub counties still facing significant challenges like Kijura town council which still stands at 7 percent. Of the 77 percent, only 27 percent of the population has access to water from protected springs, 58 percent relies on shallow well, 4 percent on boreholes and 12 percent on public taps. Since 2018, the district has been implementing a WASH master plan to conclude by 2030.

However, over the past years, the district has been grappling with WASH challenges which include limited access to clean and safe water, poor latrine coverage, open defecation and low hand washing coverage after visiting the latrine.

The Kabarole District Administrative officer (CAO), Swaibu Baraba said the National vision states that “water must be available within 300metres for every household by 2030”. He said, to realize the district’s WASH master plan by 2030, a substantial investment is required with $ 24.1mln allocated for water initiatives and $ 48.1 million for sanitation projects.

Kabarole district leaders say, some parts of the district still face the challenge of open defecation leading to increased diseases associated with poor sanitation. According to the Kabarole district health educator, Catherine Kemigabo, a lot of effort is needed to change people’s attitude. It has been noted that in Kichwamba Sub County alone, out of 31 villages in the entire sub county, 11 villages still practice open defecation.

According to the WASH Baseline sanitation and hygiene survey data report for Kichwamba Sub County, as of December to March 2024, open defecation rates in specific areas are alarming. In parishes of Bwanika, Kihondo and Mabale, open defecation rate is at 42.9 percent, 79.9 percent and 47.4 percent respectively.

Similarly, there are varying levels of improvement in water access across these parishes with Bwanika at 42.9 percent, Kihondo at 79.9 percent and Mabale at 47.4 percent. The data further indicates challenges in hygiene practices, where only 6.4 percent of the entire sub county population wash their hands after visiting the latrine and latrine coverage is at 42.4 percent. In order to address these challenges, the district has been collaborating with different partners like IRC in implementing various interventions which include the construction of new gravity flow water schemes and improved sanitation around homes.

Last month, the district launched the construction of a Uganda Shillings 900 million gravity water scheme in Bwanika parish, Kichwamba Sub County with an aim of benefiting 14 villages. According to the Kabarole district chairperson LCV, Richard Rwabuhinga,the initiative seeks to reduce dependence on water from crater lakes which have been exposed to Bilharzia and Typhoid over the years. Rwabuhinga said the water project will be constructed in three phases with the initial phase costing shs 237 mln. “Our goal is to ensure elimination of drinking or fetching water from unprotected sources by 2030. This water project will also reduce the burden of Bilharzia in Kichwamba sub county” he said.

He added that for many years, residents of Bwanika have been relying on water from crater lakes, exposing them to contamination. He revealed that collaborative efforts with partners including IRC will contribute funds to facilitate timely completion of the water project before 2026. To address WASH challenges at the household level, the district in collaboration with IRC has initiated a home improvement campaign.

Mary Ayoreka from IRC Uganda emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting the district in implementing and achieving the WASH master plan by 2030. She said the organization’s primary focus in 2024 is on addressing the longstanding sanitation challenges in Kichwamba Sub County.She added that the intensive home improvement campaign initiated in December last year involved door to door visits for health education, raising awareness and promoting practices to enhance sanitation and hygiene.

“We initiated home improvement campaigns in December and as a result, 19 out of the 31 villages in the target area are now officially open defecation free. However, a persistent challenge remains in the area of hand washing practices” she said.

She said to address the issue of hand washing, in collaboration with other partners, they have taken an initiative to provide hand washing facilities which they anticipate that the intervention will lead to an improvement in hand washing practices.

During the inspection, it was evident that the water system, overseen by Kotido DLG, aimed to provide safe water to an estimated 12,000 Households spread across five villages. This initiative marked a significant milestone in ensuring access to clean and safe water for communities in the area.

Relatedly; to enhance sanitation and hygiene practices, the District initiated five villages that previously lacked adequate latrine or handwashing facilities. Following an intensive four-month campaign, remarkable progress was observed, with latrine coverage and handwashing facilities increasing from 0% to 95%.

However, despite these achievements, it was noted that full coverage had not yet been attained. Consequently, five villages were not declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) until every household was accounted for.

Organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) – Karamoja Water Management Zone (KWMZ), along with Youth Go Green and the youth sub-committee, the aim was to get young minds buzzing about how to tackle big environmental problems. From across the Eastern Region, 10 universities and 10 schools received invitations. The idea was to bring in fresh ideas and viewpoints on how to handle issues like saving water, taking care of nature, and dealing with climate change.

At the debates, participants shared their thoughts on things like saving water, keeping things clean, using green energy, and fighting climate change. It was all about encouraging them to think hard and come up with smart ways to help their communities and the environment.

The march, which took place  today, served as a platform to highlight the importance of water conservation, environmental protection, and climate resilience in the Eastern region. Participants waved banners and placards adorned with messages promoting sustainable water management practices, eco-friendly initiatives, and actions to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Representatives from MWE, NEMA, Eco Green, and NWSC led the procession, emphasizing the need for collective action to safeguard the region’s water resources and preserve its natural ecosystems.

In addition to the march, the Eastern Regional Water Week activities include a series of workshops, seminars, and community outreach programs scheduled throughout the week. These initiatives aim to empower local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders with knowledge and tools to address water and environmental challenges effectively.

Kazooba echoed the urgency of addressing the impact of climate effects on existing sanitation infrastructure, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of low-income school institutions. She presented  the necessity for innovative approaches in the sanitation value chain for cities and towns, all while maintaining a keen awareness of the financial constraints faced by those unable to afford even minimal contributions.

On the Wash and Learn programme, Implemented in Uganda by a consortium of partners with support from SIMAVI, she noted the proactive stance taken  in bridging the gap for marginalized communities and schools in western Uganda, through smart, creative, and resilient solutions, noting that the 3 year  programme  was steering initiatives that ensure inclusivity and a quick means to sustainable sanitation goals.

Kazooba on innovation highlighted the transition from Fosa Alterna to Urine Diverting Dry Toilets (UDDT) in schools. ”This shift exemplifies SIMAVI’s commitment to adopting innovative solutions that are not only effective but also tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by these communities and institutions.” She said .

Mr. John Mutebe, Program Manager at Water and Sanitation Entreprenuers Association of Uganda (WASEU),an a implementing partners of the Wash & Learn  programme said their  approach to implementation extends beyond the mere deployment of technology. It involves the establishment of collaborative learning networks and fostering partnerships that empower communities.

In Diana’s  closing remarks during a panel submission , she laid emphasis on community involvement and engagement, stating that as an institution, SIMAVI recognizes that sustainable change is only possible when those directly affected are active participants in the process.

Photo Caption: (Left) Diana Kazooba,speaks to the Prof. Ogata Ryuji (Right) at after her presentation at IWA 2023 in Rwanda.

The refurbishment which included wall corrections , painting of walls , concrete ramp construction, wall and floor  tiling ,sanitary fittings , rain water gutters installation and replacement of door locks  among others, has cost the  financial institution UGX 151 million.

While handing over the facility to the management of the health facility  on Friday afternoon, Jachan Omach, the Board Chairman at Pride Microfinance, said they are extremely delighted to be partnering with St Phillips Health Centre II and the Diocese of Northern Uganda to support the government of Uganda in their bid to improve healthcare in Uganda.

According to Jachan, the support follows a request tabled to them by the management of the facility to help them facelift the collapsing facility buildings that were posing danger to the patients.

He has lauded  the management of the  facility for the great work they are doing  and assured them of more support to ensure that the facility is elevated to a health centre III.

Reverend Kenneth Oyet, the Diocesan Secretary who represented the Bishop of Diocese of Northern Uganda, has thanked Pride Microfinance for support which he says has greatly improved the face of the facility which was in a sorrowful state.

He has pledged that as diocese they will do everything possible to maintain the standard and provide quality services to the population in the city urging the community to make good use of the facility to better their health.

Adiyo Filder, the Acting City Health Officer In charge of Maternal Health, also lauded the financial institution for the great support towards refurbishing the facility which she says  will go along in improving health services in Gulu City.

In 2021 Pride also supported St Philips by refurbishing their maternity ward, equipped it with delivery beds and also established a patient waiting shed to support expectant mothers seeking antennal care.

St Phillips Health Centre II was constructed 60 years ago and serves the communities in Kanyagoga, Patuda, Custom Corner, Kirombe, Forgod, Layibi, Lacor and Mican among others with a total population of 24,000.