Government of Uganda through its statutory body mandated to Coordinate, Monitor, Regulate and Supervise all activities relating to the environment NEMA has signed a Memorandum with the Kingdom of Buganda in a fve (5) year partnership to implement mutually defined and agreed program initiatives and activities that might leverage efforts towards water and natural resources management and environmental conservation.
Under the partnership, the Kingdom of Buganda being a cultural institution recognized under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, aims to assist its subjects and communities within the Kingdom to optimally utilize, manage and sustain water and environment resources and facilities thereby contributing to employment opportunities especially for youth and women in Uganda.
In presence of the Katikiro of Buganda, the Executive director National Environment Management Authority Dr Barirega Akankwasah signed on behalf of Government (NEMA) while Mariam Nkalubo Mayanja the Minister of Environment in Buganda kingdom signed on behalf of the kingdom.
The objectives of the MoU include;
To provide a collaborative platform for cooperation between the Kingdom of Buganda and the Authority to foster and advocate for the conservation of the environment.
To establish a working relationship where the parties can jointly promote environmental compliance, green economy approach to environment and natura resources management, strategic environmental literacy, development of humar capacity of staff, and national, regional and international partnerships for sustainable development; and
To collaborate on the Kingdom’s on going Ekibira Kya Kabaka Initiative aimed restoring tree cover in Buganda region in line with the kingdom’s strategic plan b) planting indigenous and other eco-friendly trees
The MoU with the Kingdom of Buganda is particularly important because of the ecological importance of the area that the kingdom covers.
The Kingdom lies at the convergence of diverse ecosystems like forests, savannahs and wetlands which support rich biodiversity, acting as crucial water catchments for Lake Victoria and River Nile, providing essential resources for livelihoods like food and medicine for local communities, tourism, and serving as vital carbon sinks for climate regulation.
The katikiro of Buganda Peter Mayiga says the Memorandum is critical in protecting Bugandas culture and it has come at a time when the kingdom is threatened by bad Environment practices driven by population pressure and urbanisation.
The Executive Director National Environment Management Authority Dr Barirega Akankwasa says the Mou is critical as Buganda kingdom hosts critical wetlands that act as sponges, protecting watersheds for Lake Victoria and the Nile River system.
