The river that provides a livelihood to the population in 16 districts of southwestern and central regions has had its water levels reduce due to illegal human activities along its banks.
The idea of the campaign that will see the winning team get $3,000 to facilitate conceptualization of their idea, six months of mentorship and eventually a seed fund that will help them implement their innovation is based on belief that young people should be at the helm of creating solutions for eminent problems in their localities.
The Buganda Minister for the environment, Mariam Nkalubo Mayanja has called upon the government to grant the kingdom authority over the forests, wetlands, and other natural resources so that the kingdom can be able to preserve them. She said that the kingdom, due to its decentralized leadership reaching all levels from the county chiefs to the villages, has the capacity if given authority to savethen from being destroyed by monitoring them while the government enforces the law.
Three years ago the district with support from the Ministry of Water and Environment embarked on construction on mini water supply schemes at Ttumba, Kikooge landing sites, and Bamugolodde village to address the effects of recurrent prolonged drought.
Samuel Ediau, the Eastern Water Umbrella Station Manager in Katakwi, says that his station pumps over nine million liters of water to 632 water consumers but they end up collecting less than 35 percent of the expected revenue every month.
Moses Egaru, the Programs Manager IUCN, says that they are targeting to restore five wetlands of Nyakajumo, Rwamuganga, Kyarikunda, Bigona, in Sheema district and Kanoni wetland system in Buhweju.
Joseph Bogere, a resident of the Lwankuba zone in Busiika town, says that he was among the first residents to extend piped water services to his home. He, however, says that a year later the taps only supply water less than two days a week.
The kingdom of Buganda is to plant 20 million tree seedlings all over the kingdom after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of water and environment as a way of conserving the environment. The Permanent Secretary Alfred Okot Okidi has pledged to provide the 20 million tree seedlings to Buganda to plant so as to restore the destroyed forests.
Rogers Masaba, the Assistant Manager Water for Production in Eastern region said that dams have allocated to three districts of northern Teso. They include one valley tank to Amuria District, two for Kapelebyong District and three for Katakwi District.
Stephen Lukwiya Gang, the Gulu Area Manager National Water disclosed in an interview with Uganda Radio Network on Friday that the entity is suffering losses with such illegal connections.
LAbout 539.3 hectares of the total 1,012 hectares of wetland in Kwania is already encroached on by residents. The leaders are also accusing LCI Chairpersons of frustrating efforts in the fight against encroachment on wetlands.
The committee chairperson Syda Bbumba noted with concern that a number of projects have stalled despite the loans being approved and this was as a result of delays by government to release funds.
Pamela Akello, a site Agronomist at the irrigation scheme acknowledges the challenges faced by the farmers, saying it had a devastating effect on the projected sale of crops after harvest in the last season.
Franco Ojok, a resident of Rom Village in Koro Sub County said that they draw water for drinking and domestic uses from Ali, Abac, Otim Lagina unprotected springs due to absence of a borehole in the area.
Andrew Ddamba Gwabali, the Uganda Total E&P Environment and Diversity Field Officer says that some of the sites pending restoration are hosting studies in preparation for oil production. In such areas, new boreholes have been drilled for detailed studies on underground waters (aquifers).
