Tooro King calls for continued protection of River Mpanga

Fort Portal, Uganda | URN | Tooro King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has called for sustained efforts to protect River Mpanga from growing pressure caused by population growth and climate change. The King said protecting the river was critical to the survival and livelihoods of communities across the Tooro region, where it is a major source of water.

He made the call on Wednesday while opening the 16th Annual Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Civil Society Organisations (WASH CSOs) Forum organised by the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET) at Kalya Courts in Fort Portal City. River Mpanga originates from the Rwenzori Mountains and flows through Kabarole, Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge and Kitagwenda districts before emptying into Lake George.

King Nyabongo commended his predecessor, the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, for recognising the growing threats to the river and initiating efforts to protect it, including the “Save River Mpanga” campaign and tree-planting activities. He called for the initiatives to be sustained to protect the river and the communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on it.

The King said access to safe water and proper sanitation was essential for health, dignity and economic prosperity, warning that communities cannot thrive without reliable water supplies and adequate sanitation. He urged civil society organisations to strengthen environmental protection and promote climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene programmes that benefit vulnerable communities, including women, girls, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, refugees, pastoral communities and people living in hard-to-reach areas.

King Nyabongo also commended civil society organisations for their contribution to improving access to water and sanitation services across the country. Yunia Musaazi, the Executive Director of UWASNET, said this year’s forum is focused on strengthening Uganda’s water and sanitation systems to withstand the effects of climate change.

She said the forum also provides a platform for civil society organisations to share experiences, align their programmes and strengthen partnerships with government institutions. Musaazi asked the King to support civil society organisations in raising awareness about proper sanitation and hygiene among communities in Tooro.Andrew Masaaba, the Acting Commissioner for Planning, Investment, Monitoring and Evaluation and Statistics at the Ministry of Water and Environment, urged UWASNET members to make climate change a priority in their programmes. Masaaba commended the partnership between government and civil society organisations in developing plans and implementing water and sanitation projects.

The forum brings together civil society organisations working in Uganda’s water, sanitation and hygiene sector to discuss ways of strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change while improving access to essential services.