By Anzoo Evaline.

Adjumani District has embarked on a comprehensive review of its Environment and Natural Resources Protection Ordinance, ten years after it was first developed in 2015.

The review follows increasing environmental challenges that have emerged over the years, prompting the district leadership and partners under the URRI project to update the law to better protect natural resources and respond to climate change.

According to Giyaya Charles, the District Natural Resources Officer (DNRO), the past decade has seen new pressures on the environment that were not adequately addressed in the old ordinance.

“Our previous environment protection ordinance has now taken 10 years. Meaning there are changes that have come in that we needed to address in this ordinance and that is the reason why we are doing this review,” he said.

He noted that wetland encroachment has become a major concern, driven by population growth and limited land especially in refugee-hosting areas.
Refugees, whose designated land is no longer sufficient, have increasingly moved into wetland areas. The district has also witnessed a sharp rise in sand mining, brick making, and other destructive activities, all contributing to environmental degradation.

Giyaya added that with support from partners, the district will popularize the ordinance up to the village level, ensuring that communities are aware of the regulations and their responsibilities.

“We now have local environment committees. We’re going to activate them. They’ll be the ones to support our limited staff to implement some of the provisions, monitor what is going on and report to us and then we act,” he said.

He further encouraged lower local governments to use the ordinance as a basis for creating their own bylaws, and for communities to make local rules aligned to the district ordinance.

Simon Opio, the URRI Project Officer based in Adjumani, explained that the review is being done in close partnership with the district, the Office of the Prime Minister, cultural institutions, and other stakeholders.

 “We collaborated with the district, OPM and other stakeholders including the cultural leader to review the district environment and natural resource ordinance to ensure we conserve our environment and also protect the existing ones and we plant more tree so that we guide and respond to climate change impact,” Opio said.

The initiative is funded by Danida under the URRI project and implemented in collaboration with World Vision, the lead partner, alongside Save the Children and YSAT.

Adjumani’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Wambi Richard, commended the partners and district heads of department for supporting the review process. He appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that the reviewed ordinance is implemented effectively to save the environment.

Similarly, Kaijuka Richard Arthur, District Vice Chairperson, emphasized the urgency of acting on environmental degradation, stressing that climate change has already caused severe impacts on livelihoods and health. He reflected on drastic changes in the local ecosystem:

“This environment that has affected us is now taken to even us to grow. Do we see these animals that we are now seeing? Those days we have bulls. My father used to have bulls which we cannot even see that side when we are here. But the bulls have reduced here,” he said.

Kaijuka warned that environmental pollution is affecting not only livestock but human health, including children.

“We are giving birth to children who are affected by the environment. And that is why even if forcing them to school is a problem. Because the mind is affected by the chemical,” he said.

He also appreciated the presentations from the technical and partner teams, reaffirming that the council is ready to adopt the revised ordinance.

The review of the 10-year district environment ordinance marks a renewed commitment by Adjumani District to combat climate change, protect wetlands, regulate natural resource use, and empower communities to safeguard their environment.

With strengthened partnerships and activated local environment committees, the district aims to ensure that environmental conservation becomes a shared responsibility from the district leadership down to the village level.

END.