Environmentalists have called on government to strengthen enforcement of environmental laws to curb the continued destruction of wetlands, forests and other natural ecosystems, warning that weak implementation is worsening flooding, land degradation and climate vulnerability in Uganda’s urban and rural areas.
The warning was issued by conservation advocates during a tree-planting and environmental awareness campaign in at Gayaza Junior School in Wakiso District, where stakeholders said ongoing encroachment on protected ecosystems is undermining national conservation efforts.
Enjer Ashraf, Executive Director of the My Tree Initiative, said the rapid loss of wetlands and forest cover is already contributing to environmental disasters, particularly flooding in Kampala and surrounding areas.
“The continuous flooding you see in Kampala and other areas is a result of people degrading natural resources like swamps and forests,” Ashraf said.
He noted that many wetlands and forest reserves are being cleared for settlement, industrial developments and other construction projects, despite existing legal protections meant to safeguard them.
According to Ashraf, while Uganda has environmental protection laws in place, enforcement remains inconsistent, allowing encroachment to continue with limited consequences for violators.
He warned that if the trend is not reversed, the country risks more severe climate-related impacts, including increased flooding, loss of biodiversity and declining agricultural productivity.
The environmentalist made the remarks during a tree-planting exercise at Gaaza Junior School, where more than 500 fruit trees were planted under a broader campaign promoting environmental restoration and climate awareness among young learners.
“As we plant trees to regreen the environment, the spaces where this should happen are being taken over,” he said, calling for tougher action against illegal developments in protected ecosystems.
Push for climate education in schools
Beyond enforcement, the My Tree Initiative also urged government to integrate environmental conservation and climate change education into the national school curriculum, saying early awareness is critical in addressing long-term environmental challenges.
The call was made during the same school-based tree-planting programme, which also saw stakeholders plant mango, avocado and jackfruit trees as part of efforts to establish a sustainable school orchard system.
Organisers said practical environmental education—such as tree planting—should complement classroom learning to help pupils develop long-term conservation habits.
“We believe integrating environmental aspects, including climate change, into the curriculum can help advance awareness among young people,” a representative of the initiative said.
They argued that schools provide a strategic platform for shaping behaviour, noting that children are more likely to adopt environmental practices if exposed to them early.
Private sector joins conservation push
The campaign has also attracted private sector participation, with companies pledging support for nationwide tree-planting initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and reducing environmental degradation.
Crown Beverages Limited has launched a school-based tree-planting programme targeting more than 2,000 trees across Uganda this year, beginning with 600 fruit trees at Gaaza Junior School.
Pearl Elizabeth Kitimbo, Brand Communications Manager at Crown Beverages Limited, said the initiative is intended to promote environmental responsibility among young people.
“Planting trees is one way of addressing global warming and ensuring future generations have a better environment,” Kitimbo said.
He added that involving children in such programmes increases the likelihood of long-term behavioural change and helps extend conservation practices into households and communities.
Gaaza Junior School officials welcomed the intervention, describing it as a milestone in promoting environmental awareness and nutrition among pupils.
“This is a memorable day because we have never planted such a number of trees before,” said Mrs. Lillian Nyanzi Gwokyalya, Quality Assurance at Gayaza Junior School
She said the fruit trees will provide long-term benefits, including food supply for learners and improved school environmental conditions.
Stakeholders involved in the campaign have urged government, development partners and private sector actors to scale up similar initiatives across the country, arguing that combining enforcement with education and community participation is key to reversing environmental degradation.
They said Uganda’s growing environmental challenges require a coordinated approach that strengthens law enforcement while also promoting awareness and sustainable practices among future generations.
Source: nilepost.co.ug
