Story Ivan Mugisha
Ibanda District, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), has launched a major re-afforestation campaign aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and safeguarding the Mpanga catchment.
The initiative, implemented through the Albertine Water Management Zone (AWMZ) and funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, prioritizes tree planting as a sustainable solution to catchment management and environmental degradation.
The project targets the restoration of 40 hectares of deforested and degraded land across private, community, and public spaces in Rukiri, Nyamarebe, Kashangura, and Ishongororo Town Council.
The campaign aims to improve ecological integrity, stabilize local temperatures, prevent desertification, control soil erosion, and boost soil fertility.
Speaking during the launch event in Rukiri Sub-county on Thursday, AWMZ Team Leader Ebbu Emanuel underscored the critical role the Mpanga catchment plays in the region’s water system.
“I encourage community members to own this initiative by nurturing these trees — it is an investment in their own future,” he said.
The campaign forms part of broader efforts to promote environmental resilience and sustainable land use across the Albertine region.
