World Wetlands Day 2025: Protecting wetlands for our common future

As we commemorate World Wetlands Day, the global community comes together to renew our collective commitment to safeguarding these vital ecosystems. 

This day was first celebrated on February 2, 1997, and it's now celebrated annually on the same date, to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.  

In Uganda, this day holds particular significance as the nation strives to preserve its luxuriant biodiversity and ensure sustainable development in the face of composite environmental challenges.  

Wetlands are often referred to as the 'Earth's kidneys”, playing a critical role in regulating water flow, filtering pollutants, and providing habitats for diverse flora and fauna. 

In Uganda, wetlands are not only essential for biodiversity conservation, but also for supporting livelihoods and maintaining water security. From the vast wetlands of Lake Victoria to the intricate marshlands of the Albertine Rift, these ecosystems are integral to the nation's ecological resilience and economic prosperity.

However, Uganda's wetlands face numerous threats, including agricultural expansion, urbanization, industrialization, pollution, and climate change impacts. These pressures endanger the delicate balance of these ecosystems, jeopardizing their ability to provide critical eco-system services to both people and wildlife. 

Wetland cover in Uganda has reduced tremendously over the years; for instance, in 1994, the wetland coverage was 15.5% of Uganda's land cover. By 2016, wetland coverage had reduced to 8.9% and 8.4% in 2019. At this rate, the wetland coverage is projected at a meagre 1.6% by 2040. This, is unacceptable! 

The foregoing threats are notwithstanding the protection accorded wetlands in the 1995 Constitution, the National Environment Act, Cap. 181, the National Environment (Wetlands, River Banks and Lake Shores) Regulations, 2000, the National Policy for the Conservation and Management of Wetlands and the National Environment (Declaration of Wetlands) Notice, 2023 (a legal document launched by the Ugandan government during last year’s World Wetlands Day celebrations, officially gazetting all 8,613 wetlands in the country as protected areas), among others. 

To address these challenges, concerted efforts are underway across Uganda. Local communities, government agencies, and environmental organizations are collaborating to implement sustainable wetland management practices. 

Initiatives range from community-led conservation projects to policy reforms aimed at strengthening wetland protection laws and enforcement mechanisms.

In recent years, innovative approaches have emerged, such as integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices and promoting eco-tourism as a sustainable economic alternative for wetland-dependent communities. 

These efforts not only conserve biodiversity, but also empower local communities to become stewards of their natural heritage.

World Wetlands Day 2025 serves as a rallying call to accelerate these efforts. 

It enjoins all stakeholders to prioritize the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, recognizing them as invaluable assets for current and future generations. 

Through enhanced awareness, education, and collaborative action, Uganda can forge a path towards a future where wetlands thrive alongside human development.

As we celebrate this day, let us reflect on the interconnectedness of ecosystems and our responsibility to safeguard them. Together, we can ensure that Uganda's wetlands continue to flourish, enriching our landscapes, supporting livelihoods, and securing a sustainable future for all.

By and large, World Wetlands Day 2025 reminds us that protecting wetlands is not just a matter of environmental conservation, but a commitment to our shared future. 

Let us unite in preserving these natural wonders, safeguarding them as pillars of resilience and prosperity in Uganda, and beyond. 

The writer is an energy, environment and sustainability consultant

The writer is an energy, environment and sustainability consultant.