Tooro King calls for continued protection of River Mpanga

What the report says

Fort Portal, Uganda — Tooro King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has urged continued protection of River Mpanga, warning that population growth and climate change are putting pressure on the river and the communities that depend on it. According to The Independent Uganda, he said the river is vital to livelihoods across Tooro because it is a major source of water.

The king made the appeal on Wednesday while opening the 16th Annual Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Civil Society Organisations (WASH CSOs) Forum at Kalya Courts in Fort Portal City, an event organised by the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET). The article says River Mpanga rises in the Rwenzori Mountains and runs through Kabarole, Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge and Kitagwenda before reaching Lake George.

Nyabongo praised his predecessor, the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, for starting conservation efforts such as the “Save River Mpanga” campaign and tree planting. He called for those initiatives to continue, and linked river protection to safe water, sanitation, health and economic wellbeing. He also encouraged civil society groups to strengthen environmental protection and climate-resilient WASH programmes for vulnerable communities.

UWASNET executive director Yunia Musaazi said the forum is focused on making Uganda’s water and sanitation systems more resilient to climate change, while Ministry of Water and Environment official Andrew Masaaba urged members to keep climate change high on their agenda.