In a significant move towards environmental conservation, a team from the Irrigation for Climate Resilience Project (ICRP) under the Ministry of Water and Environment has engaged with the Rukungiri Municipality Town Clerk to initiate plans for the restoration of the Kyogo wetland in the Southern Division.
This one-year initiative aims to demarcate and rehabilitate degraded sections of the wetland, which spans the villages of Kyeshero, Kafunjo, Kitaziguruka, Kataruka, and Nyakiziba.
Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by acting as natural water filters and reservoirs. Kiiza Kizito, a System Supervisor at the Ministry, emphasized the importance of wetland demarcation, warning that unsustainable human activities such as farming and tree planting along riverbanks are accelerating the loss of vital wetland vegetation stating that without proper management, people risk losing these essential ecosystems.
Addingly Kizito said that the project is not only focused on restoration but also aims to support local communities in adopting alternative, eco-friendly livelihoods highlighting the proposed interventions including beekeeping, fish farming, fruit tree planting, and the use of energy-saving stoves in empowering the community while restoring the wetland.
Town Clerk Mr. Tumwesigye Isiah pledged his full support for the initiative, highlighting the importance of collaboration. He urged the ICRP team to work closely with local leaders and administrative structures to ensure the project’s success stressing that the community involvement is key to sustainable restoration.
This initiative aligns with Uganda’s broader efforts to combat environmental degradation and enhance resilience to climate change. By focusing on both ecological restoration and sustainable livelihoods, the project aims to create a model for future conservation efforts across the country.
As the team prepares to launch the project, hopes are high for a successful restoration of Kyogo wetland, which will benefit both the environment and the local communities dependent on its resources.
