Government Launches Catchment Management Measures in Rukungiri to Safeguard Water and Boost Livelihoods.

Rukungiri: In a major step towards sustainable development, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) has begun implementing catchment management measures to protect water resources and improve community livelihoods across western Uganda.

Starting in March 2025, interventions have been rolled out in key micro catchment areas including Matanda, Enengo, Kazingo-Kiruruma, Lower Mitano, and Rushaya to ensure a consistent supply of clean water for local communities and to support upcoming agricultural irrigation schemes.

The initiative is part of the Irrigation for Climate Resilience Project (ICRP), led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF). The project aims to enhance food security and climate resilience while promoting alternative income-generating activities for communities affected by the changes.

On May 27, a team of MoWE project coordinators, representatives from partner firms, MIFA (Lot 1), ARDENT Services (Lot 2), and NRDI (Lot 3)—along with Rukungiri District officials and town council leaders, conducted site verification visits at key hotspots where the catchment interventions are being implemented.

The exercise, led by Dr. Guma Brian Emmanuel, Team Leader of the Albert Water Management Zone, focused on verifying sites for activities such as river and wetland buffer demarcation, afforestation, and soil and water conservation. These efforts are designed to promote sustainable water management and ecosystem protection.

Community leaders expressed optimism about the initiative’s impact, noting that it will help secure clean water supplies, preserve natural ecosystems, and open up new economic opportunities for local residents.