World Environment Day: Sironko excited about hosting national event

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SIRONKO - As Uganda gets set to join the rest of the globe, the small district of Sironko in eastern Uganda has been selected to host the country's World Environment Day (WED) celebrations.

Sironko is located in Bugisu (Elgon Sub-region) a region prone to landslides, windstorms, and floods, which have caused significant destruction and loss of life in recent years.

Each year, World Environment Day has a special theme. 

This year (2024), the theme is "Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience." It's about bringing back healthy land, preventing deserts from growing, and dealing with water shortages. Trees, healthy soil, and clean water are vital for a healthy planet!

Despite these challenges,  Sironko district has made significant strides in environmental conservation and sustainability.

Motivated 

Vincent Victor Gizamba,  LC5 Councilor Budadiri town council says that local community has come together to establish tree-planting initiatives, promote eco-friendly agriculture, and develop innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of natural disasters.

“As local leaders, hosting this day has motivated us to join hands with our communities and forge local solutions to the climate change phenomenon. Lately, the level of environmental awareness and commitment amongst the people is high,” Gizamba said.

UNEP's Sabine McCallum asked the local leadership in Mt. Elgon sub-region to grow bamboo so as to create viable adaptation and resilience. (All Photos by Javier Silas Omagor)

During the most recent council meeting held days ago, Ivan Bigala, the District Deputy Speaker, underscored the relevance of local interventions to the globe’s aspiration to combat climate change.

“Being selected to host the day has made us appreciate the need to educate local people to adapt environmentally smart practices for the good of all,” Bigala said at the same concil meeting where the district resolved that tree planting be mandatory as well as improved civic education on conservation.

The theme of this year's World Environment Day is "Rebuilding for Resilience," and Sironko and the entire mother sub-region of Elgon's story serve as a powerful inspiration.

The sub-region's resilience in the face of adversity and commitment to environmental stewardship make it the perfect host for this year's celebrations.

According to Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Water and Environment, the event will bring together environmentalists, policymakers, and community members to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices in sustainable development.

“It will also feature exhibitions, workshops, and cultural performances highlighting the importance of environmental conservation,” PS Okidi said.

Elgon sub-region and in particular Sironko's selection as the host district is a demonstration of the potential for innovation and progress even in the most challenging circumstances.

UNEP’s Mountains Adapt

Weeks ago, during her recent visit to Uganda, in particular, Mt. Elgon region where Sironko is situated, Sabine Mccallum, the UNEP Programs Manager, lauded Uganda’s locally driven efforts. 

Shortly after visiting A.W Bamboo Enterprise championing growing of bamboo in Bududa, Mccallum said Uganda was on course to create the much-needed resilience and adaptation in mountainous areas such as Mt. Elgon. 

Mccallum encouraged residents of Mt. Elgon sub-region whom she spoke to in Bushiyi sub-county, Bududa district to embrace the Mountains Adapt initiative.

WED at a glance

Initiated by UNEP in 1973, World Environment Day is a global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated annually on June 5.

Just over the past five decades, the day has grown to become one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach.

It is meant to raise awareness and celebrate environmental action including environmental issues like marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, sustainable development, and wildlife crime.

WED is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take concrete steps to protect the environment and live more sustainably by reducing waste, conserving energy, implementing eco-friendly practices, and supporting environmental causes.

Globally, UNEP chose Saudi Arabia to host the main event for this year 2024 under the parent theme: Land restoration, halting desertification, and building drought resilience.