Zombo leaders challenged to prioritize environmental conservation, climate resilience

Zombo: District leaders in Zombo have been urged to strengthen environmental conservation efforts and translate knowledge gained from trainings into practical actions that deliver tangible results in ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience.

The call was made by Irene Apio, a representative of the non-governmental organization SPACE, during an engagement meeting with district and sub-county leaders held at Nyapea Sub-county Hall on Monday.

The meeting was organized under the “Strengthening Environmental Accountability and Climate Action Project in West Nile,” which is being implemented by SPACE in Zombo District across the sub-counties of Atyak, Kango, Nyapea, Abanga, and Paidha.

Other partner organizations implementing the project in different districts include RICE West Nile in Obongi and Madi-Okollo, Friends of Zoka in Adjumani, and African Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy in Amudat and Nakapiripirit.

The engagement brought together district and lower local government leaders to discuss the project’s three key objectives: increasing community awareness on environmental protection and climate change, strengthening implementation of environmental laws and by-laws, and promoting alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on natural resources.

Apio emphasized that environmental protection requires collective responsibility and urgent action.

“The responsibilities heavily rely on all of us regardless of who we are and where we come from. The negative impacts of climate change affect all of us; it’s time we take action,” Apio said.

Participants raised concerns about inadequate funding for ecosystem restoration and climate mitigation activities at the local government level.

A community development officer noted that limited financing continues to undermine environmental interventions.

“Many of the efforts can’t proceed due to limited funding for environmental restoration and climate mitigation measures,” the officer said.

Leaders also highlighted the lack of a dedicated conditional grant from the central government specifically for environmental protection and climate adaptation programs, making implementation difficult.

According to discussions at the meeting, local governments largely depend on conditional grants from the central government that prioritize sectors such as education, health, and roads, leaving little room for environmental activities.

Milton Okumu, the Assistant Environment Officer for Zombo District, warned that failure to address environmental degradation would worsen the effects of climate change.

“We need to take environmental issues seriously and establish competent environment committees at all levels to champion ecosystem restoration efforts,” Okumu said.

The district’s Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Ephraim Kumakech, called for deliberate budget prioritization to support environmental conservation initiatives and restoration programs.

Meanwhile, Assistant Resident District Commissioner Bruno Manano urged leaders to establish and strengthen functional environment committees to support ecosystem restoration, sustainable natural resource management, and wetland conservation.

“Functional environment committees are critical in promoting sustainable use of natural resources and advancing wetland conservation efforts,” Manano said.

The multi-district initiative implemented by SPACE and its partners seeks to raise public awareness on environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and adaptation while promoting environmental accountability and community participation in sustainable development.

Project implementers say the initiative aims to empower local stakeholders and foster collective action toward long-term ecological balance and climate resilience across the West Nile region.

Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.