By Joseph Kiggundu
Bulange-Mengo
The Government of Uganda, through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Buganda aimed at promoting sustainable and responsible use of the environment and natural resources.
NEMA, the statutory body mandated to coordinate, monitor, regulate, and supervise all environmental activities in Uganda, will work closely with the Kingdom to implement jointly agreed programmes focused on water resource management and environmental conservation.
Under the partnership, the Kingdom of Buganda—recognized as a cultural institution under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda—will support its communities in the sustainable utilization, management, and protection of water and environmental resources. The initiative is also expected to contribute to job creation, particularly for youth and women.
The MoU was signed in the presence of the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga. Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of NEMA, signed on behalf of the Government, while Mariam Nkalubo Mayanja, the Buganda Kingdom Minister for Environment, signed on behalf of the Kingdom.
Among the key objectives of the agreement are:Establishing a collaborative platform to promote environmental conservation, Strengthening cooperation on environmental compliance and advancing a green economy approach to natural resource management,Enhancing environmental literacy and building staff capacity.
Promoting national, regional, and international partnerships for sustainable development.
Supporting the Kingdom’s ongoing Ekibira Kya Kabaka initiative, which seeks to restore tree cover in the Buganda region through the planting of indigenous and eco-friendly trees.
The partnership is considered significant due to the ecological importance of the Buganda region, which spans diverse ecosystems including forests, savannahs, and wetlands. These ecosystems support rich biodiversity, serve as critical water catchment areas for Lake Victoria and the River Nile, provide essential resources such as food and medicinal plants, promote tourism, and function as vital carbon sinks for climate regulation.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga described the MoU as timely and essential in safeguarding Buganda’s cultural heritage, noting that the Kingdom faces growing environmental threats driven by rapid urbanization and population pressure.
Dr. Barirega Akankwasah emphasized that the agreement is crucial, particularly because Buganda hosts key wetlands that act as natural sponges, protecting watersheds that feed into Lake Victoria and the Nile River system.
The partnership marks a renewed commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development within one of Uganda’s most ecologically significant regions.