The need to promote sustainable land in the River Rwizi catchment

Summary:

• River Rwizi in southwestern Uganda faces neglect and degradation due to unsustainable practices like sand mining, deforestation, and industrial pollution.

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In the heart of southwestern Uganda, a once-majestic lifeline is now entangled in a narrative of neglect and degradation. The River Rwizi once resonated with abundance and life has become the centerpiece of pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. It’s not just a river but a history of interconnected lives, a masterpiece of ecosystems facing conflicting records of unsustainable practices.

The extensive and unsustainable practices of sand mining, coupled with unfavorable human activities like wetland cultivation, farming, and deforestation, dumping of wastes have collectively disturbed the delicate stability of the River Rwizi’s ecosystems. This has resulted in a visible decline in water levels, escalating the risk of the river drying up and worsening challenges such as water scarcity and soil fertility depletion. Concurrently, the harmful impacts of industrial pollution from Nile Breweries, with its discharge of pollutants and chemicals, have compromised the river’s health, posing additional threats to aquatic life and biodiversity.

Furthermore, the need to champion sustainable land practices within the River Rwizi catchment area cannot be overstated. This region is crucial for both ecology and agriculture and is standing in a vital crisis. The penalties of unsustainable land use practices, including deforestation, soil erosion, and overgrazing, are becoming increasingly evident. These activities not only degrade the ecosystem but directly impact the daily lives of the communities relying on the river’s resources.

With challenges like climate change and food insecurity on the rise, adopting environmentally friendly practices like afforestation and reforestation, agroforestry, rotational grazing, and water conservation practices is not just a choice but a necessity. It is a call of community engagement, for the preservation of biodiversity, and the resilience of traditional livelihoods. The inadequate separation between toilet facilities and improper sanitation practices in certain households has also contributed to the direct release of faecal matter into floodwaters, thereby inducing water pollution.

Human activities, such as improper construction in flood-prone areas and the removal of vegetation that acts as a natural barrier, worsen the risk of flooding. Furthermore, the degradation of riverbanks and wetlands weakens the natural capacity of water absorption which increases the likelihood of flooding. Covering 8210 square kilometers across twelve districts this expansive River Rwizi catchment area plays a dual role as Uganda’s longest river after the Nile, supplying essential water resources and connecting the livelihoods of a large population.

There is an urgent need for Government agencies, Civil Society Organizations, and the private sector to collaborate to provide the necessary resources and support for sustainable land management initiatives. Financial incentives for farmers adopting eco-friendly practices and the implementation of effective land use policies. The Rwizi catchment area stands in a critical crisis, demanding immediate efforts to promote sustainable land management. Through prioritizing sustainable practices engaging local communities, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, we can ensure a thriving and resilient future for the Rwizi catchment area, this will not only secure a healthier environment but also safeguard the prosperity of the communities connected to the River Rwizi.

The writer is Ms Caroline Kinkuhaire Citizens’ Concern Africa Advocacy Officer Email: carolinekinkuhaire12@gmail.com Website: https://citizensconcernafrica.org