Ugandans, more so farmers should brace themselves for tougher times ahead if the rate at which the environment is being degraded, goes unchecked.
According to the State of Environment report, Uganda is experiencing increased droughts, floods, and storms due to climate change. This disrupts ecosystems, agriculture, and water availability.
Also, the rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns have affected crop yields, exacerbated wildfires, and contributed to carbon dioxide emissions.
The report was read by Francis Ogwal, the senior manager of environment planning and coordination at National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
This was during the Environment and Conservation Conference 2025 that happened at Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) in Nkozi on Wednesday, March 19.
The conference also marked World Wildlife Day under the theme; Wildlife conservation finance; investing in people and the planet.
Ogwal noted that activities including agriculture and bricklaying have eroded the land cover leading to land degradation. This is worsened by the population surge currently at 45 million people who exert immense pressure on the available land.
Add to that, the rapid urbanization that is straining infrastructure, increasing pollution, and degrading fragile ecosystems like wetlands.
Also, the rising incomes and consumption have driven higher waste production, including medical waste and beauty products. Moreover, weak recycling infrastructure and inadequate waste collection result in illegal dumping and open burning, further polluting the environment.
Ogwal calls upon Ugandans to conserve the environment saying; “It is everyone’s responsibility. Don’t wait for the government to tell you to dispose of waste responsibly or to desist from using harmful pesticides. We all suffer when the environment is degraded.”
He added that NEMA has doubled efforts in restoring wetlands by evicting encroachers. But also, they have established over 150 low-cost monitoring stations in collaboration with other stakeholders.
The stations are located in various urban areas, including high-resolution systems deployed in Kampala, Jinja, Fort Portal, and Kabale districts. There are also institutionalized air quality awareness campaigns taking place annually during the first week of May.
Meanwhile, the event was officiated by the permanent secretary Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities who was represented by Michael Mugabe, a conservation biologist.
He said; “The conference is timely and comes at a time when environmental degradation and biodiversity loss are experienced at alarming rates.”
However, he adds that for nature to be able to sustain the increasing needs of humans, it should be maintained well. Excessive pressure on natural systems should be checked because we depend on them for our good.
Mugabe called upon the private sector to be intentional in the conservation of the natural systems because they are the biggest beneficiaries.
In addition; UMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa reminded Ugandans that most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize environmental conservation as a way of mitigating climate change hence saving the planet.
“As we develop cities we tend to sacrifice the environment. Development should be in harmony with environmental conservation,” he says.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Francis Ogwal, the senior manager of environment planning and coordination at National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) implored Ugandans to conserve the environment. (Photo by Ritah Mukasa)
