Uganda National Water Boss calls for Wetland Conservation in Uganda

The Uganda National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC) in conjunction with Environment authorities in Uganda have cried out to the natives to join them in their combative efforts in fighting against environment degradation by conserving the wetlands and water reservoirs in Uganda mostly in the Greater Masaka region.

Dr. Olive Enid Nabiryo, the Manager and Human Resource National Water and Sewerage Corporation in Greater Masaka Region observed that the conservation of the environment is one of the most important activities they have embraced and conserving wetlands and waste management should be every citizen’s responsibility.

“The role of water service providers is to ensure that we have a clean environment with clean water and clean sewage system and waste dumping sites which need to be improved in our area but I am happy, partners such as Truxor Wetland equipment company have joined us,” Ms Nabiryo smiling ear- to ear observed.

As part of the activities for the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) in reviewing the wetlands, Dr. Enid Nabiryo delegated the team from Europe led by Mr. Ruud Kampf attached to Truxor Wetland equipment and Mr. Denis Masembe led the team in tour visit of the wetlands including; Nabajjuzi swamp – the longest serving water reservoir that channels water to the vast population in the region accompanied by lectures of Mr Ruud Kampf.

According to Ms Pauline Nabadda, the Environment officer for Masaka City, the tendency of degrading the environment has been increasing and the two wetlands that make up Masaka City; the Nabajjuzi swamp and Nakayiba swamp have been the most affected centers.

“The most affected areas are the Nabajjuzi swamp where people dump unclean wastes and dead animals yet it occupies most of the water reservoirs that serve water to most of the population and the tendency of sewage and urine scattering in reserved areas for settlement is disappointing,” she said.

“We want to plant bamboo so that wetlands are protected and waste land management and community sensitization be effected,” she said.

During the Workshop training organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) with support from Truxor Wetland Equipment Company at Hotel Zebra Ms Nabadda represented Mayor Florence Namayanja grappling with sickness said the Environment conservation is crucial and critical in order to improve the health standards of living for Ugandans.

Mr. Ruud Kampf, the Truxor Wetland equipment business Development officer said that wetland management in Africa is still lacking and it is good for the communities to keep city streets and their homes clean by obeying measures in keeping the environment clean.

“As activists in sensitizing the general public about cleanness, wetland and waste management, I appeal to Ugandans to keep their wastes well wasted such as Urine, human waste as they are crucial in gas industry and making other raw materials such as fertilizers; nitrogen for hot culture and other usages in farming,” he added.

As part of the activities for the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) in reviewing the wetlands, Mr. Denis Masembe advised the locals to be ambassadors of mitigating the offender of rules and regulations that protect and govern water reserves and environment.

According to research, the Uganda atlas reveals the cost of Wetlands destruction at nearly Uganda Shillings 2 Billion (over approximately USD 500,000) annually.

It costs Uganda shillings 38 Billion (over USD 900,000) to treat water from contaminated water resources which is partly caused by reduced buffering capacity of wetlands.