Today, March 21st, we join the world in celebrating the International Day of Forests under the theme “Forests and Food.” This year’s theme is a timely reminder of the vital role forests play in ensuring food security, promoting biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods for millions of people across the globe, including communities here in Uganda.

In Uganda, forests are the backbone of environmental resilience and community survival. Forests are more than just trees – they are sources of food, medicine, clean air, and livelihoods. From wild fruits, honey, and mushrooms to the nutrient-rich soils that sustain agricultural production, forests provide a safety net for rural households. Yet, despite their importance, Uganda’s forests are under severe threat. Deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, charcoal production, and illegal logging, continues to deplete our natural resources, threatening livelihoods and accelerating climate change.

Through community-driven restoration efforts, the Restore Africa program is working closely with local communities (with particular focus on smallholder farmers, women, and youth) to rehabilitate degraded landscapes through planting indigenous trees, and adopting sustainable land management practices. These efforts not only restore degraded landscapes but also enhance food production, protect biodiversity, and improve household resilience to climate change.

On this International Day of Forests, let us reflect on the actions we can take – as individuals, organizations, and policymakers – to protect forests and restore degraded landscapes. By doing so, we are investing in a future where forests continue to provide food, livelihoods, and ecosystem services for generations to come. Together, we can create a Community where Nature and People Flourish!

By Davis Orishaba, Program Coordinator, JESE – Restore Africa

#InternationalDayOfForests #ForestsAndFood #SustainableLandUse #RestoreAfrica #ForestConservation #FoodSecurity #Biodiversity #ClimateAction

On 12^th March 2025, Joint Effort to Save the Environment (JESE) with funding Join For Water, conducted a radio talk show at Voice of Kamwenge a local radio station in Kamwenge to promote and create awareness about the Water and Environment Week.

The one-hour talk show brought together guest speakers from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Fort Portal Regional Office, District Natural Resources Officers from Ibanda and Kitagwenda, and the JESE team under the Protection and Equitable Use of Fresh Water Resources-PURE program.

The discussions focused on popularizing the Water and Environment Week activities, key interventions conducted to protect and conserve the environment, with a focus on the Mpanga catchment, and challenges faced.

Additionally, WASH messages were disseminated following the Ebola outbreak in the region. Listeners were encouraged to maintain maximum hygiene standards to minimize infections.

Similarly, the team mobilized the populace for the Save River Mpanga marathon scheduled for the Save River Mpanga Marathon on 16^th March 2025 as the National event. 

“Use the Water and Environment Week to do something positive. Clean your surroundings, protect your environment, and plant a tree for the future generation.” Said one of the guests.

“Everyone has a role to play in the protection and conservation of our environment. Don’t let the Water and Environment Week bypass you.” She added.

During the talk show, callers appreciated the guests for making time to educate the masses on environmental protection and conservation of water resources.

 Charcoal burning is still ongoing. Continue educating the masses to plant and protect the trees” said a male caller from Kanara Sub County, Kitagwenda District.

The Ministry of Water and Environment, in collaboration with Tooro Botanical Gardens and Common Grounds organized a dialogue and exhibition aligned to this year’s theme, focusing on the regional sub-theme ‘Water and Environment for Climate Action.

Participants included; Region based Civil Society Organizations/NGOs, District Officials, Political leaders, Community Association representatives, Institutions, Media, MWE regional Center Staff, among others.

“Once the environmental resources are degraded, we will not get what we want. Water is a cross-cutting resource and we must protect it. The quantity and quality of water must be achieved.” Remarked Mr. Orejabo Albert, Assistant Commissioner, Water Management.

The panelists deliberated on reflections from COP 29 on climate change, strengthening the conservation of threatened tree species for ecosystem resilience and improved livelihoods, harnessing biodiversity-based ecological restoration for water management, research, and innovation.

“When we have a healthy ecosystem, we will have a healthy and clean water. Let’s protect the ecosystem, plant indigenous trees to have clean and quality water.” Encouraged. Dr Guma Brain, Team Leader, AWMZ.

The Panelists emphasized the need to: Bridge the gap between research and policy; Involve community members to enhance sustainability of the desired behavior and Adapt to the global biodiversity standard in the conservation measures.

Additionally, the Ministry’s deconcentrated structures (RWSRC-5, Midwestern Umbrella, and Albert WMZ) and region-based water and environment practitioners showcased adopted approaches to addressing climate change and promoting livelihood initiatives in the region.  While JESE exhibited the Mpanga gorge prototype, cycads under the Protection and Equitable Use of Fresh Water Resources (PURE) Program and showcased the work done by one our beneficiary under the Skill up! Program that empowers and skills the youth. Provides them with startup capital to start their own enterprises as a way of reducing pressure on the eco system.

The exhibition stalls were visited by about 500 participants, including; Pupils, students, Development Partners, the Ministry of Water and Environment among others.

On 11^th March 2025, JESE with funding from SIMAVI organized activities to commemorate the Water and Environment Week in Kyamukube Town Council, Bunyangabu district. The activities were held in collaboration with the Bunyangabu district leadership and the Ministry of Water and Environment Fort Portal Regional Office. The activities included; clean -up exercise, sports for WASH, and a radio talk show at Ngabu Fm a local radio station.

The focus was on environmental sanitation and WASH awareness. The day began with a community clean-up exercise, officially launched by the Mayor of Kyamukube Town Council Mr. Kule Charles, who emphasized the importance of regular sanitation efforts. He noted that a general clean-up is conducted every first Thursday of the month and that a designated landfill site has already been purchased as part of a broader waste management plan. By next year, Kyamukube will have a more organized sanitation system to improve public health and sanitation.

“It’s our role as leaders and community members to protect the environment. We need to continue with the practice. When we keep the environment clean, we chase away disease that increase our expenditure. I wish next year; our Town Council is considered again among the places to be cleaned.” Said Mr. Kule Charles, The Mayor, Kyamukube Town Council.

He pledged that they will put in a lot of effort to ensure that they continue practicing the desired behavior. We will also continue educating the community members to carry on so that the next time you return, you find our environment clean. He added.

 To further engage the youth in WASH awareness, a football match between Rubona Primary School and Kibate Primary School was held, demonstrating how sports can be used as an interactive tool for hygiene education and Kibante primary school emerged as the winners.

 During the breaks, key messages on WASH were disseminated by the Ministry team to over 500 participants. The Ministry of Water and Environment commended these efforts, emphasizing the importance of waste management, improved sanitation facilities, and behavioral change in communities and schools to safeguard water resources.

Mr. Mukugize Stephen, the Inspector of Schools highlighted improvements in school sanitation, where JESE has constructed pit latrines and installed handwashing facilities to enhance hygiene and safety for students. He also stressed the need to revive environmental clubs in schools to promote sustainable sanitation and hygiene practices.

“Before, our students would go to the bush and open defection was almost considered normal. Ever since JESE started constructing pit latrines in our schools, the hygiene has improved, enrollment has increased, and the spread of diseases has reduced due to access to running water,” He shared. More girls are now attending school compared to boys and their performance has also improved. He continued.

 The district has made a plan and budget that include; renovation grants, School facility grant to top up donor efforts, Continuous community engagement to enhance ownership and reduce on vandalism of the infrastructures put in place. We have Water and sanitation committees in place, and the different management bodies. With these, we hope to sustain the efforts started by the different development partners. We request that JESE, the government, and other development partners support all the schools with rain harvesting water tanks.

He asked that Water and Environment Week be celebrated continuously, as it provides an avenue for creating awareness and community sensitization. He called upon the community members to always be positive whenever they are called upon to co-fund any community projects. Asked the leaders to preserve water resources. “Don’t plant trees in the water sources. We need continuous water flow. He spoke.

In attendance were Kyamukube Town Council and area leaders, Inspector of schools, MWE staff, JESE, UPDF soldiers from Kateebwa barracks, Teachers, Pupils from Rubona and Kibate Primary Schools, and community members respectively.