Environmentalists call for conservation of water catchment areas

Gideon Tumwijukye | Tayari News
KABALE – Environmentalists have called on the general public to prioritise the conservation of water catchment areas and the environment, warning that failure to do so threatens the country’s natural resources and future livelihoods.
The experts made the call during a one-week Junior Land Care workshop held over the weekend at National Teachers College, Kabale.
The workshop, which began on Monday, brought together Junior Land Care facilitators from across Uganda and other countries, including Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Australia, where the Junior LandCare concept originated.
Dr Rogers Akatwijuka, the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science at Kabale University, while officiating as the chief guest at the closing ceremony, expressed concern over the increasing degradation of water sources, attributing it to human activities that disrupt natural ecosystems.
“If we do not conserve our water catchment areas, we should not expect to continue benefiting from clean and reliable water sources,” he said. “Nature has its own system of filtering and protecting water, but once we interfere with that system, we suffer the consequences,” he said
He noted that many rivers and streams that were once known for their clear waters have turned brown due to soil erosion and environmental destruction.
“When you see a river that was once clear turning brown, it is a sign that something is wrong upstream,” Dr Akatwijuka explained.
 “It means the vegetation that once held the soil together has been destroyed, and the land can no longer filter water effectively before it reaches major water bodies.”
He added that the destruction of wetlands, deforestation, and poor farming practices have greatly contributed to the problem. According to him, soil erosion has washed away fertile soils into water bodies, leaving the land degraded and unproductive.
“We are losing our most valuable resource — fertile soil,” he said. “When soil is washed into rivers and lakes, it not only reduces agricultural productivity but also affects aquatic life and the quality of water available for domestic use.”
Dr Akatwijuka emphasised that environmental conservation should not be left to government agencies alone, urging citizens to demonstrate patriotism by taking individual responsibility.
“Environmental conservation is a collective responsibility,” he stressed. “Each one of us must be patriotic enough to protect our environment, plant trees, and avoid activities that degrade our land and water sources. The future of our children depends on the actions we take today.”
The Junior Land Care workshop focused on equipping facilitators with knowledge and practical skills to promote environmental stewardship among young learners. The Junior LandCare program is currently being implemented in primary schools in Kabale and Rubanda districts, where pupils are taught sustainable land management practices, tree planting, and water conservation techniques.
Meanwhile, the workshop coordinator, Jimmy Musiime, highlighted inadequate funding as the biggest challenge affecting the expansion of Junior LandCare activities.
“We have seen the positive impact of Junior Land Care in the schools where it is being implemented,” Musiime said. “Learners are becoming ambassadors of environmental conservation in their homes and communities. However, limited funding has slowed down our efforts to reach more schools.”
He appealed to the government and development partners to support the program and facilitate its rollout nationwide.
“If this program is rolled out nationwide, we shall cultivate a generation that understands the importance of protecting the environment,” Musiime added. “Our goal is to empower learners with practical skills and knowledge that they can transfer to their families, creating long-term change in environmental conservation.”
Also speaking at the workshop was Jon Lambert, an environmentalist from Australia, where the Junior LandCare movement was first established. Lambert commended Uganda for embracing the initiative and adapting it to local community needs.
“It is encouraging to see how Junior LandCare has taken root here,” Lambert said. “What started in Australia as a community-driven effort to restore land and protect natural resources has now become a global movement empowering young people.”
He emphasised the importance of nurturing environmental awareness at an early age.
“When children understand the value of land, water, and biodiversity, they grow into responsible citizens who make informed decisions,” Lambert noted. “The future of environmental conservation lies in education and community participation.”
Participants at the workshop expressed optimism that the skills gained would strengthen environmental education efforts in their respective regions and countries. Organisers noted that collaboration among facilitators from different nations provided an opportunity to share experiences and best practices in promoting sustainable land management.
As the workshop concluded, Dr Akatwijuka reiterated his call for urgent action, reminding participants that environmental conservation is key to sustainable development.
“Protecting our water catchment areas is not optional,” he said. “It is a necessity if we are to secure our natural resources for generations to come.”