THE 9TH SOUTH WESTERN REGIONAL WATER AND ENVIRONMENT WEEK CONCLUDED WITH RESOUNDING SUCCESS
The 9th South Western Regional Water and Environment Week successfully concluded after a series of high-impact activities across Mbarara City and its neighboring districts. Since its inception in 2018, spearheaded by the Water Resources Institute, this initiative aims to drive sustainable socioeconomic transformation.
Throughout the week, diverse partners and stakeholders exchanged vital knowledge to enhance the management of Uganda’s water and environmental resources. These regional engagements effectively set the stage for the upcoming national event, themed "Water and Environment for an Inclusive and Prosperous Uganda," scheduled for March 23rd to 27th, 2026, at the Ministry of Water and Environment headquarters in Luzira, Kampala. By bridging the gap between sectors, this regional week strengthened the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous nation.
The event held from March 16th to 19th, 2026, was a successful initiative organized by the Victoria Water Management Zone department of the regional office. Under the sub-theme "Investment in science, technology, innovation and capacity building to enhance progress in water and environment management and development," the week featured a diverse array of activities aimed at environmental sustainability and community resilience:
• Official Launch & Community Visit: Initiation of the week-long event at the regional office followed by a visit to the Abahumuza Development Group in Rucece to inspect livelihood projects.
• Tree Nursery Commissioning: Establishment of a bamboo and tree propagation center at Bishop Stuart University (BSU) in partnership with ACORD.
• Stakeholder Engagements: Consultative meetings with the gold mining community in Buhweju to address the silting and pollution of River Rwizi.
• Technology Demonstrations: Inspection of the solar-powered small-scale irrigation system at Kyesika to promote sustainable water for production.
• Environmental Restoration: Mass tree-planting exercises at Rubaare Primary School, St. Peter’s Church of Uganda, and Bishop Stuart University.
• Media & Advocacy: Public awareness campaigns through television talk shows and institutional debates.
The week commenced with a launch presided over by the Mbarara Resident City Commissioner, Ms. Catherine Hellen Kamwiine, who emphasized the necessity of intensified community engagement to foster a culture of conservation. Following the ceremony, a team led by Assistant Commissioner for Wetlands, Ms. Lucy Inyango, visited Rucece to showcase partnerships with the Abahumuza Development Group, highlighting piggery, poultry, and apiary projects as sustainable income-generating alternatives to environmental degradation.
On the second day, focus shifted to Bishop Stuart University (BSU), where the Ministry and ACORD commissioned a dedicated tree nursery. This facility is strategically designed to propagate bamboo and indigenous tree species specifically for the restoration of the River Rwizi banks. The university leadership committed to maintaining the nursery as a hub for quality seedling supply for the region, marked by a ceremonial tree planting on the campus premises.
The third day took the team to Buhweju District, where the Ministry and NEMA engaged local gold miners to discuss the adverse effects of upstream mining on the River Rwizi catchment. The dialogue focused on transitioning to environmentally friendly mining methods to reduce sedimentation. Additionally, the team visited the Kyesika Solar Powered Irrigation Scheme, a 14-acre project implemented by the Water for Production Regional Center West and Nexus Green, demonstrating how technology enhances food security for crops like coffee, maize, and cassava.
The week concluded with a focus on the younger generation and local institutions. Tree planting exercises involving fruit trees—such as mango, jackfruit, and avocado—were held at Rubaare Primary School and St. Peter’s Church of Uganda to combat global warming and provide nutritional benefits. The events were capped off with a summary broadcast on Tayari West TV, where the Ministry outlined the post-UWEWK roadmap for the South-Western region.
The Ministry of Water and Environment South Western Region extends its sincere gratitude to all strategic partners as well as the leadership of learning institutions. We also recognize the invaluable participation of the Mbarara City and District leadership, the media fraternity, and the local communities of Rucece, Buhweju, and Rubaare. Your commitment to science, technology, and community capacity building is vital to the sustainable management of our water and environmental resources.
We look forward to collaborating with you in the upcoming RwizI Run in July. As a post water week activity this initiative serves as a vital platform to enhance public awareness and mobilize collective efforts toward the conservation and restoration of our river. Together we can ensure the long-term vitality of our ecosystem. Our river, our responsibility.