Prioritise Water and Environment matters in your plans, stakeholders urged

The eighth Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) is ongoing with a call on stakeholders to prioritise water and environment issues in their plans for mitigating environment degradation and in building resilience to survive climate change. Africa Innovations Institute is actively participating in the events running under the theme:” Water and Environment resources for enhanced resilience and improved incomes and livelihoods”.

Africa Innovations Institute is a not for profit, non-governmental centre for excellence in agricultural innovations established in 2005. Officiating at the ceremony, the Minister in charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba called for collaboration between government, non-government /Civil Society organisations, academia and the private sector, to ensure improved clean water supply.

Uganda like many other countries, faces pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, deforestation, pollution and water scarcity. “You cannot talk about Sustainable Development Goals without talking about water,” Lumumba said, emphasizing the importance of water in every area of development. Lumumba said the importance of accountability and proper reporting cannot be over emphasised. The Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar called for more funding to the sector as the challenges of water and environment continue to increase especially because of degradation due to bad practices.

The Committee of Parliament on Environment and Natural Resources committed to work with openness and impartiality so as to anchor stakeholders on their journey of safe water and environment management. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, noted that many lessons have been picked from the UWEWK events this far. “We continue to address any shortcomings that emerge as we celebrate the annual events. We have walked this journey with many partners and collaborators and we continue to call upon other partners to join us as we organize these annual events,” he said. Adding, “With less than 10 partner organisations in 2018, I’m happy to note that there are over 90 partner organisations working with my ministry to organise various events during the regional and national UWEWK celebrations.” A team of walkers challenged themselves to walk for 12 days, covering a total of 317km across multiple districts to raise awareness on Uganda’s water resource management, environmental conservation and climate change.

The UWEWK activities officially opened on Monday March 17, 2025 at the Ministry of Water and Environment and among other things; Uganda will mark the International Forest Day on March 21, the World Water Day, March 22 and the World Meteorological Day on March 23. The Uganda Water and Environment Week is an event that provides an interface among stakeholders for knowledge exchange on water and environment concerns in Uganda.