By Esther Gune.

Adjumani District has launched a €63,000 (approximately UGX 250 million) water and environmental protection initiative aimed at improving access to safe water, strengthening laboratory services, and promoting environmental conservation among both refugees and host communities.

The project, known as WaEPA (Actions for Water and Environmental Protection), is being implemented through a partnership led by the Municipality of Sinai in Italy, working alongside Anawim Africa, the University of Sassari, and Adjumani District Local Government.

The initiative focuses on improving public health and living conditions in line with global sustainable development goals on clean water, climate action, and environmental protection.

Speaking during the launch, Barbara Pusceddu, the Mayor of Sinai Municipality emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges affecting communities.

“It is important for all of us to work together for the wellbeing of the people of Uganda,” the mayor said before adding “I appreciate the local authorities for accepting this new project, which focuses on climate change and environmental protection. Waste management is a serious challenge not only here, but across the whole world, and it requires joint efforts to address it.”

A key component of the project is upgrading the water analysis laboratory in Adjumani to improve testing of water sources such as wells and springs. The upgrade will include the provision of modern equipment, consumables, and training of laboratory technicians to enhance efficiency and ensure safe water for communities.

Giyaya Charles, the Natural Resources Officer for Adjumani District, noted that previous interventions had already made a positive impact in the district.

“Our previous projects have greatly supported water quality monitoring and environmental conservation in the district,” he said. “This new project will help us strengthen and expand those efforts to benefit more people.”

In addition, the project will establish a psychopathological laboratory to monitor plant diseases and ensure that seedlings produced in nurseries are healthy. This is expected to support environmental restoration and sustainable forestry efforts in the district.

According to the project coordinator, Rev Father Charles Vura Obulejo, the initiative will also prioritize capacity building.

“We are going to train more people in sustainable management of natural resources, governance, domestic resource mobilisation, and planning,” he said.

The project will further promote environmental awareness through school and community programs, targeting young people with education on climate change, conservation, and sustainable development.

Local leaders say the initiative comes at a critical time when Adjumani continues to face challenges related to safe water access, environmental degradation, and waste management, particularly due to the growing population of refugees and host communities.

The WaEPA project aligns with Uganda’s national development priorities and international commitments on sustainable management of natural resources and improved service delivery, and is expected to significantly enhance the health and livelihoods of the people of Adjumani District.

END.