The state minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martine Mugarra has reechoed the need to aggressively conserve and protect the environment.
Mugarra made this call during his visit to Bulembya Primary School in Kilembe, Kasese District, one of the institutions that were grossly affected by the floods when River Nyamwamba bust its bounders.
Speaking to the gathering, Minister emphasized that there is no way our country will be safe from catastrophes life floods unless a strong conservation action is implemented.
“Tourism and the Environment are like tea and sugar. We cannot continue attracting tourists here if we are not conserving and protecting our environment from the biggest global threat called climate Change. Our lives and everything we do depends on the environment and that’s why conservation should be everyone’s responsibility, whether young or old.” Minister Mugarra said.
He added that though the government is doing a lot efforts towards reducing the flooding and its effects in Kasese district and other numerous areas in the country, communities need to raise up, embrace alternative sources of fuel, revenue among other issues that led to the cutting of tree cover.
Minister Mugarra also implored the pupils and other school going pupils and students at the event to read hard stay in school education is the only guaranteed route to a bright future and a better Uganda.
This minister’s visit to the school was part of the Mega regional caravan dubbed Explore West aimed towards promoting domestic tourism in the Pearl of Africa. This campaign has been running from 12th– 16th April 2023.
What Is Government Doing?
The government of Uganda is currently implementing Ushs. 17 billion project of desilting river Nyamwamba. The amount secured from the World Bank is meant to desilt 5.4 kilometres of the critical areas of the river and this includes the exact place Bulembya Primary School is located.
According to local leadership, the exercise is an emergency mitigation measure against damage of critical infrastructure and loss of livelihoods whenever the river floods.
The desilting will involve maintenance of earth work, put gabion masonry and establishment of a dyke (a long wall built to prevent flooding) that is nearing completion.
