Today Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the world environmental Day , which were held at Kololo ceremonial grounds, Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja Uganda’s primier was the guest of honor and delivered the president’s speech , several people and organizations were awarded for their work towards environmental conservation.
Better environment is the reason as to why we live , people across the world treasure less of their environment and continuously get into direct and non direct activities that are nature subversive.These inculde dumping turns of waste into water bodies and poor waste management.
Deforestation, another activity that greatly devastates the environment here in Uganda , as many people especially those that want wood for burning charcoal, construction and timber for selling.Others tamper with nature to get land for settlement and expansion of businesses.
According to global forest watch,Uganda’s forest cover has drastically decreased by 12% in tree cover since 2000 resulting to 438 Metric turns (Mt) of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e) into space. Which is extremely dangerous to Uganda’s environment and nature overtime.
The government of Uganda and private sector have joined hands to protect the environment.The Ugandan government enacted and passed environmental laws like.1995 Water policy,1996 National Wetlands Management policy,1996 wildlife policy,2000 Fishers policy,National EnvironmentalAct 2019 and so many more bodies like National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), National Forestry Authority (NFA), National Water and sewage Cooperation (NWSC), Ministry of Water and Environment
All these have had less an impact because of blind implementation, corruption , less civic sensitization and engagement, less funds and Labor to empower enforcement.
Several campaigns and activations like plant tree , Go green kids festival,Kuuma obutonde among Others, all these have a single target of environmental protection and creating awareness among the citizens at all levels of how protection of environment is not not a choice but rather a national mandate to the citizenry of Uganda.
There’s mileage achieved but there’s a long way to go to achieve SDG 13, and all environment related goals before 2030.National laws and international treaties should be implemented to grass roots, addressing issues escalating environmental degradation with immediate effect.
Article by: Katongole Arnold
