Nature Uganda, TotalEnergies partner to protect Murchison Falls–Albert Delta Ramsar Site
“These ecosystems are important to communities and the country. We need collective action to conserve and protect them because they also support tourism and livelihoods,” Byaruhanga said.
Buliisa: Nature Uganda and TotalEnergies EP Uganda have partnered to conserve, protect and restore the Murchison Falls–Albert Delta Wetland System Ramsar Site.
The partnership was announced on Thursday during the launch of the Murchison Falls–Albert Delta Wetland System Ramsar Site Management Plan for 2026–2036, a ten-year strategic framework aimed at strengthening conservation and restoration of the wetland ecosystem.
The launch was held at the Buliisa District Resource Centre and attracted local leaders and other stakeholders from Buliisa, Nwoya, Pakwach, Masindi and Kiryandongo districts, which surround the Ramsar site.
Presiding over the function, Lucy Iyango, the Assistant Commissioner in the Ministry of Water and Environment and National Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention, said the new management framework is intended to strengthen conservation efforts in the wetland system.
She urged leaders in the five districts to embrace and implement the plan, noting that the Murchison Falls–Albert Delta Wetland System is a site of international importance.
“This management plan provides a framework for strengthening conservation and ensuring that the wetland ecosystem is protected for future generations,” Iyango said.
Achilles Byaruhanga, the Chief Executive Officer of Nature Uganda, said the country has 12 Ramsar sites, all of which require collective efforts to ensure their protection and sustainable management.
He called upon communities and leaders to work together to preserve the unique ecosystems, saying the sites are not only important for biodiversity but also contribute to tourism and national income.
“These ecosystems are important to communities and the country. We need collective action to conserve and protect them because they also support tourism and livelihoods,” Byaruhanga said.
Lilian Kepango, a Biodiversity Engineer for Forests and Wetlands at TotalEnergies EP Uganda, said the partnership between the company and Nature Uganda began a year ago.
She said the initiative is important to TotalEnergies as the company seeks to mitigate environmental impacts associated with oil and gas activities.
“TotalEnergies is committed to ensuring that important ecosystems, including Ramsar sites, are not destroyed as a result of oil and gas exploration activities,” Kepango said.
She added that the partnership is part of efforts to promote responsible environmental management in the Albertine Graben, where Uganda’s oil and gas activities are taking place.
Moses Businge, the Buliisa District Vice Chairperson welcomed the initiative, saying the management plan would support efforts to preserve the Ramsar site and other wetlands for the benefit of local communities and the country.
“This is a welcome intervention because wetlands are important to our communities, and we must work together to ensure they are conserved,” Businge said.
Nature Uganda, working with the Ministry of Water and Environment and local governments surrounding the Murchison Falls–Albert Delta Ramsar Site, previously undertook a review and update of the wetland management plan.
The launch of the updated 2026–2036 management plan marks a major step towards strengthening collaborative management, conservation and restoration of the Murchison Falls–Albert Delta Wetland System.
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