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River Rwizi has been filled with plastics and other impurities.
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The effort to save River Rwizi in Mbarara district has received a boost of sh500m from the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature, an international conservation organization. Simon Peter Weredwong, the conservation programs manager for WWF, announced the funding after the Save River Rwizi marathon on Sunday. The funds will support post-marathon activities like riverbank restoration. WWF is partnering with the Ministry of Water and Environment on this initiative.
“We have engaged a private company to extract water hyacinth from the river and turn it into manure, reducing pollution. We will also plant 29 hectares of environmentally friendly trees in Ruharo ward, Mbarara city, and conduct restoration campaigns in Nyamitanga ward,” Weredwong said. Additionally, they plan to plant 50,000 bamboo trees to cover 1.5 square kilometers of riverbanks, preventing soil erosion.
Over 2,000 people participated in the third annual marathon, which started at Booma Grounds in Mbarara city.
Some of the participants at the marathon
Progress So Far
Evelyne Kyomugisha, secretary of the River Rwizi Water Catchment Management Committee, reported that resources from previous marathons have funded the construction of 18 waste banks in major schools like Ntare School in Mbarara, with a total of 50 waste banks planned. The committee has engaged about 2,000 people in conservation meetings and greening campaigns in various schools.
Callist Tindimugaya, the commissioner in charge of water resources at the Ministry of Water and Environment, emphasized the urgency of addressing pressure on wetlands and water catchment areas, which has led to river siltation. The River Rwizi Catchment Management Plan, developed with input from all 11 districts sharing the river, aims to reduce encroachment and waste pollution through awareness campaigns.
“The growing population of Mbarara city has increased water demand. Previously, River Rwizi’s water levels were low, but through awareness and alternative income initiatives, we have restored 10 wetlands in the past two years, gradually improving water levels,” Tindimugaya said.
Participants ran in three categories: 21km, 10km, and 5km. The marathon was organized by the Abahumuza Development Group in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment under the theme: "Women as Stewards in Sustainable Utilization of Water and Environment Resources, Empowering the Girl Child in Conservation.” Oscar Chebet won the 21km race, receiving a sh1m prize.
