Minister Sekindi launches 450 kilometer walk, Water & Environment Week 2022

The Minister of State for Water, Aisha Sekindi, has this morning launch the activities of the Uganda Water and Environment Week and flagged off the 450 kilometer “Walk for Water, Environment and Climate Change 2022”.

The Water and Environment Week 2022 runs from today 3rd March 2022 while the walk climaxes in the northern district of Lira.

The 5th Uganda Water and Environment Week will be held from Sunday 20th March to Friday 25th March 2022, under the theme “Water and environment for peace and socio-economic transformation of Uganda”.

But before 20th March 2022, there are several build-up pre-event activities lined up.

Speaking at the launch of these activities Thursday morning at the Ministry of Water and Environment headquarters in Luzira, Sekindi said the focus of the Uganda Water and Environment Week is to raise awareness about the importance of water and environment resources. She noted that the week provides opportunity to share achievements, demonstrate best practices, share knowledge and experiences, holds stakeholders dialogue and engagement to exchange views, create mind-set change in conservation and protection of water and environment resources for sustainable socio-economic development.

According to Sekindi, environmental degradation in Uganda has been increasing in an unprecedented rate.

For instance, she said, from 1900 to 2017, 2.4 million hectares of forest cover had been lost. while Uganda’s wetlands are experiencing unsustainable degradation rate of 2% annually. From the ministry’s assessment, the total renewable surface water resources reduced by 34% between 1995 and 2011 and this is continuing. Sekindi notes that pollution of water resources is on the increase due to high population growth, urbanization, industrialization, indiscriminate waste disposal, as well as degradation of water catchments.

Sekindi says the impact of climate change brings additional risks and challenges with severe negative impacts, in all angles; socially, economically and environmentally.

Since 2019, Sekindi says “Uganda has been experiencing intensive rains resulting in floods with tremendous damages and losses, including loss of lives, settlements, threats to major water infrastructures, essential services and property.”

“These unfortunate events have resultant negative impacts to our efforts in socio-economic development of our country. Aware of several government efforts made to prevent further degradation and restore degraded environment, we recognize multi-stakeholder responsiveness and the community have a big role to play. There is need for a mind-set change in handling water and environment resources if we have to survive the negative impacts of our misuse and climate change. Let me sound a warning to all those in illegal protected zones of the lake, rivers, wetlands, mountain slopes and forest to vacate or else be evicted,” Sekindi notes.

During the walk, Sekindi said there will be several stopovers at designated points along the route to among others join communities and institutions in creating awareness, demonstrating best practices and action on the ground for clean and healthy water and environment.

“As a Ministry there are several interventions we continue to undertake in form of government projects and programmes to ensure integrated management and development of the water and environment resources for generations. Some of these interventions are implemented under decentralized and deconcentrated structures of the ministry in order to provide quality services to the people of Uganda. Awareness raising, training, research and dialogue is key in moving together,” Sekindi said.

To these, the National Forestry Authority is providing one million (1,000,000) assorted tree seedlings for planting as part of the celebration of the Uganda Water and Environment Week 2022.

“Let us seize this opportunity with both hands, plant and grow as many trees as we can. We welcome other organizations that can contribute more
seedlings for planting during this March – May rainy season,” Sekindi said.

Aware that water is life and environment is health, Sekindi says “it is critical that we join hands to protect and restore water and environment in order to benefit from their services more especially in this era of climate change and COVID 19 pandemic. Combating the challenges of water and environmental degradation as well as impacts of climate change, should not be restricted to the government institutions alone requires all stakeholders; the private sector, Civil Society organizations, Cultural institutions, Religious institutions, the private sector, the youth, community organizations, the local communities, the media, among others. The challenges and effects of our deeds affect all, both poor and rich, women, children and men, including all other natural resources.”

Sekindi therefore called upon every one of “us to do something to restore green environment, protect the water and environment resources including
forests, water bodies, wetlands, land, and if we have to enjoy today and
tomorrow without compromising the needs of the future generations.”

According to Sekindi, her ministry underscores the importance of strategic partnerships and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders in addressing water, environment and climate change issues.

To this effect, she said: “wish to seize this opportunity to all our partners, for the good collaboration we have had over the years.”

“I wish to appreciate the support of our Development Partners and leaders of various institutions. In a special way, I wish to appreciate the fruitful and cordial relationship my ministry has had with Buganda Kingdom since we signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year. This is exemplified by the presence of Owek. Mariam Nkalubo Mayanja, the Minister of Environment and Bulungibwansi of the Buganda Kingdom at this flag off event. The ministry continues to seek partnership with all cultural and faith based organizations to create mind-set change in our communities To the Walkers, 450 kilometres is a long distance to be covered. With the motivation and dedication shown, walk to raise awareness on Water, Environment and climate change, the need for best practices to gain resilience, sustainable management and development of these resources and adaptation to impacts of floods in Uganda,” Sekindi said.

She, however, reminded participants that Covid-19 is still with us.

As such, she said, “Allow me to remind you that COVID 19 is real and is still here with us.”

“I, therefore take this opportunity to urge at every moment to continue observing the Standard Operating procedures and guidelines for COVID 19 issued by the Ministry of Health in all our operations. Prayers to the Walkers and the accompanying team for journey mercies,” Sekindi said.