By Chris Mugasha
MBARARA, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni has called on church leaders and Christians to take a leading role in protecting Uganda’s environment, warning that the destruction of wetlands and water catchment areas is threatening water security and sustainable development.
President Museveni urged the church leaders to educate people why God created things like; dry land, ocean, and wetlands among others. “In Kigezi and Ankole regions, you have got people who say God was wrong and they have ended up in the wetlands. Tell them to leave wetlands alone,” a humorous Museveni appealed.
The President was on Sunday addressing Bishops/clergy and hundreds of Christians who turned up to commemorate 90years of East African Revival Movement in the Ankole Sub region.
Drawing attention to the biblical account of creation, the President emphasized the need for people to respect and preserve the natural environment, including wetlands, rivers and water catchment areas.
He expressed concern about the continued encroachment on environmentally sensitive areas, saying the destruction of water catchments has serious consequences for communities and the country’s future developments.
“Mbarara people, you don’t have water. The factories are complaining of lack of water to process,” he noted. He attributed the water crisis to people who encroached on R. Rwizi catchment areas, degraded it hence rendering the river dry.
Museveni told people that as a result, government has been forced to search for water from R. Kagera in the border with Tanzania. “It’s because you invaded the catchment areas for R.Rwizi,” Museveni said. “Now those in Kigezi region, stop interfering with R. Kagera’s catchment areas otherwise it will also run dry,” he warned.
Recently, government through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) implemented a multi-billion water project on R. Kagera to back up water supply in the region especially Mbarara city.
According to Museveni, environmental conservation should be part of the responsibility of every citizen and urged religious leaders to use their influence to mobilize communities to protect natural resources.
The President’s call places churches and other religious institutions at the heart of Uganda’s environmental conservation campaign. With faith leaders commanding significant influence in communities, Museveni urged them to champion responsible land use and encourage people to protect wetlands, forests, rivers and other natural resources.
As Uganda confronts increasing pressure on its natural ecosystems, the President’s appeal to religious leaders could strengthen community-based efforts to promote environmental awareness and sustainable use of natural resources. The President commended church leaders/Dioceses for embracing his campaign on poverty eradication. “I am happy that some of you have picked modern farming but to do it, you need water,” he said.
The President further asked religious leaders to continue preaching against tendencies of sectarianism which he said they retard development.
He commended the revival movement for its contribution towards transforming communities especially in the Ankole and Kigezi regions. “Alcohol, promiscuity among other evils which were very common in the region were challenged by the born-agains,” he recalled. “It’s the revival movement that led people to do away with unhygienic practices like drinking unboiled milk, sharing of plates and drinking from the same pot a practice which Banyankole thought was very ok,” Museveni recalled. “They taught us the importance of sending our children to school,” he added.
The Bishop of Ankole Diocese Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof Sheldon Mwesigwa cited three challenges which he said as church leaders they are worried over their increasing trends.
“We need measures to save the country from alcoholism. Alcohol is killing people and causing a lazy work force. Rwizi region is leading in cases of homicides/murders. Mbarara city is leading in HIV/AIDS; what is causing all this?” the Bishop expressed.
The Bishop petitioned the President to support the Diocese’s museum since it is also part of tourism that preserves heritage. End.
