By Aggrey Twesigye
www.mknewslink.com
In Mbarara–
Environmentalists and government officials have called for concerted efforts to protect and restore River Rwizi, which serves as a lifeline to millions of people in the Ankole region.
They warned that that increasing human activities, encroachment, siltation and pollution are threatening the river.
The call was made during the 5th edition of the River Rwizi Run, which attracted hundreds of participants on Saturday under the theme, “Stakeholders Championing the Restoration of River Rwizi.”
The event sought to raise awareness and mobilize communities and other stakeholders to restore the river and improve its water quality and quantity.
River Rwizi’s catchment covers about 8,200 square kilometers. The river originates from the hills of Buhweju District and flows through Sheema, Rwampara, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Lyantonde and Kyotera districts.
For more than two decades, the river has faced growing encroachment, heavy siltation and pollution resulting from human activities. The degradation has contributed to declining water levels and shortages, particularly during dry seasons.
Catherine Nassuna the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said the run is among the initiatives being undertaken to safeguard the river.
She said the ministry is working with communities to plant trees along the river banks while encouraging people whose activities contribute to the degradation of the river to adopt alternative sources of income, including beekeeping and fishing.
The ministry is also conducting sensitization campaigns to encourage communities to participate in the restoration of the river and carrying out desilting activities.
Catherine stressed that protecting River Rwizi should not be left to the Ministry of Water and Environment alone, calling on all stakeholders and communities to join efforts to save the river, which she said is at risk of extinction.
Ivan Tumuhimbise, the Country Director of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda, said that under the leadership of the Ministry of Water and Environment, the River Rwizi Run and other interventions have contributed to the restoration of about 700 hectares of river banks and 12 kilometres of the river line over the past four years.
Tumuhimbise said WWF Uganda is also building on its “Stop Degrading the River Banks” campaign by working with about 2,000 households that own land along the river banks. The households are being sensitised on sustainable practices to prevent further degradation of the river.
Capt. JB Tumusiime Bamuturaki, Member of Parliament for Kashari South Constituency in Mbarara District, said the protection of River Rwizi requires a multi-sectoral approach, with every Ugandan playing a role in its conservation.
He described the continued fluctuations in the river’s water levels as alarming and attributed them largely to human activities. He urged residents to join hands with government and other stakeholders to conserve the river.
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi also blamed human activities for the drying up of River Rwizi, urging residents to take immediate action to protect the river.
source: www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
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