Shs 5 billion project launched to restore Aswa catchment

29 April 2026, 11:34 am

By Denish Ongora

Join for Water, in partnership with the World Resources Institute and the Ministry of Water and Environment, has launched a Shs5 billion water resources management project targeting the Aswa I and II sub-catchment areas.

The project will be implemented in Lira District, Lira City, and Alebtong, among 30 other areas within the wider Aswa catchment.

Speaking at the launch held at Margarita Palace Hotel in Lira City, the Country Director of Join for Water, Ndugu Isaiah, said the initiative is designed to address growing environmental pressures, including the impacts of climate change, erratic rainfall patterns, sand mining, and wetland encroachment, all of which are accelerating ecosystem degradation in the region.

The project will focus on restoring critical ecosystems through the demarcation of wetland buffer zones, the rehabilitation of degraded wetlands, and the establishment of Aswa I and II Catchment Management Committees to strengthen the governance of water resources.

It will also integrate climate-smart livelihood interventions such as bee-keeping, fish farming, piggery, poultry, and tree planting to reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems while improving household incomes.

Under the same initiative, the World Resources Institute will support efforts to enhance food security, promote climate change awareness, improve urban planning, and expand access to safe water.

The Assistant Commissioner for Wetland Management at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Joseph Ongol, warned that wetland encroachment remains a criminal offence under the National Environment Act 2019.

He noted that offenders risk penalties of up to 12 years’ imprisonment, a fine of Shs600 million, or both.

Lira District Natural Resources Officer, Otike Fabious, raised concern over the increasing use of agrochemicals, saying it poses a significant threat to wetland ecosystems and water quality.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Lira, Beatrice Abang Molly Kia, has accused some political actors of encouraging communities to encroach on wetlands for cultivation, thereby undermining conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, the Deputy RCC for Lira City East, Odongo Stephen, called for the strict enforcement of Presidential Executive Order No. 3 on wetland protection to curb further degradation.

Lira District Entomologist, Okola James, emphasised the need for continuous community sensitisation on sustainable water resource management, as well as the introduction of alternative livelihood projects to reduce dependence on wetlands.

Lira City Deputy Mayor, Alwedo Ogole, welcomed the project, noting that it aligns with the city’s broader environmental and climate resilience plans, particularly in safeguarding wetland ecosystems and promoting sustainable urban development.