Can govt work with NGOs to fight environmental degradation?

The government has been urged to engage non-government organizations in the fight against environmental degradation which is on the rise in the country.

This call was made at the launch of the 5th judicial training on how to handle and deliver climate justice. This was held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.

According to Samanthah Atukunda, the Director of Green Match, a Non-government Organization, their target is to fight against illegal encroachments on environmental spaces.

“Approximately 41% of Uganda’s total natural resources are degraded by the communities for settlement, industrialization, and agriculture among others,” she noted.

Atukunda added that currently, most parts of the country are experiencing landslides, flooding of water bodies and heavy rains, due to man’s encroachment on the environment.

She used the training to urge government agencies to engage with other stakeholders in the fight against environmental degradation.

Patrick Byakagaba, a researcher from Makerere University, said some agencies issue illegal licenses to investors, especially in wetlands which is a threat to the environment.

“Although NEMA is working hard to protect the environment, there are still existing gaps,” Byakagaba explained.

The 5th judicial training is under the theme “Advancing climate Justice, looking at the role of the Judiciary and it will run for two days.

In attendance was the Executive Director Judicial Training Institute Lady Justice Damalie Lwanga, and Justice Margret Mutoni among others.