The Chief Administrative Officer

							                         THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
                          Environment management
                    MASAKA DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Our ref; 553/5                                                    P.O. Box 634
Your ref;                                                         Masaka
                                                                  11thMarch, 2009


RE: REPORT ON WORLD WETLANDS DAY CELEBRATONS FOR MASAKA
DISTRICT HELD ON 25TH AND 26TH FEBRUARY 2009.
Masaka District Local Government held its World Wetlands Day celebrations that kicked
off on 25th February 2009 with a Public Lecture at Bwala Social Centre. The theme of
this years day is “Up stream Down stream Wetlands connect us all”. Following the
guidelines sent from the wetland Ramsar Bureau below were the agreed objectives
 Objectives of the Public Talk
    1. Creating awareness on the values, importance and uses of wetlands and
        environment in general
    2. Identify the various forms of wetlands abuse in Masaka as a case study
    3. Find out the linkages between dry land management and wetland conservation
    4. Identify the specific values/ importance of Nabajjuzi wetland and Lake Nabugabo
        Ramsar sites.
    5. Promotion of environmental sustainable development in schools
    6. Find out the roles of wetlands in provision of economical benefits
    7. To strengthen environment/ wetlands division partnership with other related
        organization.
THE TARGET GROUPS
            • Secondary Schools with bias on senior six students for all disciplines
            • Four universities with branches in Masaka
            • NGOs & CBOs working in Masaka
            • General public and Institutions i.e. UPDF Kasijagirwa armored barrack
                District councilors, general public and the press.
Topics covered were as follows;
Topic                                         Facilitator
Background and Roles in Nature Uganda in      Mr. Mugisha Ambrose- Nature Uganda
wetland & biodiversity management for
income generation
The Roles of Wetlands in the provision of     Mr. Isagala Paul – NW&SC/ Masaka
water for Masaka Town
The Role of Forests towards water             Mr. Byamukama James – Environmental
conservation for communities                  Consultant, Uganda/Congo/Rwanda conservation
                                              Area- Bwindi National Park
Brief on Environmental Education in Schools   Mr. Kayinga –county education officer i/c EE in
& Master of Ceremony and co-presenter         schools/ Masaka and Rose Nakyejjwe D Env O
Participants in the public lecture at Bwala social centre

Objective of 26th Feb. 2009 program
    • To mark Nabajjuzi wetland Ramsar boundary to stop further encroachment into
        the water source
    • Create awareness to the public and schools
On 26th February 2009, it was the climax of celebrations which saw the unveiling of
Nabajjuzi Wetland (Ramsar) sign post by the representative of the Executive director,
NEMA, M/s Beatrice Adimola and requested the stakeholders to use the wetland
sustainably for continuous economical purposes. Also thanked the wetland management
department in the ministry of water and environment supporting the designation process
and the donation of the sign post.




Unveiling Namajjuzi Ramsar site sign post by Beatrice Adimola from NEMA
26/02/2009
It was followed by the invited guests planting trees to mark the Nabajjuzi Wetland
Ramsar boundary along New Kumbu housing estate section. Councilors, LC 1 members
of New Kumbu, NW& SC staff and Environment staff witnessed and equally participated
in the planting of the trees to stop the degradation of the water source for Masaka
municipal council.
At the site, the speaker for Kimanya/ Kyabakuza Division welcomed guests to the area
and promised to protect both the sign post and the trees planted.
The chief guest told the people present that climate change in the world has come as a
result of people not caring about the environment and has now reached alarming levels
with consequences that are very difficult to mitigate. She however thanked the people of
Masaka Municipality for trying to protect Nabajjuzi wetland which will stimulate
improvement on their livelihoods.




Nabajjuzi boundary marking

 Having finished the field part, people led by the chief guest moved to Aunt Rachel
Primary School, the venue for the main celebrations.
Speeches were delivered as follows;
    1. Chair person LCIII – Kimanya/ Kyabakuza division.
    2. Area Manager – NW& SC and the District environment officer
    3. Mayor – Masaka Municipality
    4. Deputy speaker for Masaka District Local Council
    5. Chief Guest – Executive Director/ NEMA
Entertainment;
It was provided by different schools namely;
-Aunt Rachel Primary School – Host
-Kijjabwemi Primary School
-St.Bruno Ssaza Primary School and
-Elgon Day& Boarding Senior Secondary School
 They all entertained guests with songs and poems that were educative along
environmental issues. Elgon Day and Boarding Senior secondary school excited those
who attended with the play that depicted the hash environment under which Environment
staff is working. It involved loss of staff lives and subsequent mobilization and
sensitization of the public which positively changed people’s attitudes towards
environmental conservation and protection.




   St.Bruno Saza Primary school also excited people with a poem with the following words;
        OBUTONDE BW’ENSI

1. Abange abemikwanomwe abawuliriza
Tulina essanyu lyansusso okubako nawe              5. Entobazi n’emigga wano mu Uganda
Mwebale nnyo n’okujja, tubakulisa ffe.             Bitukwatiridde nnyo mu bulamu bwaffe
                                                   Enva zetulya mukene, enkejje n’engege
2. Ekituleese olwaleero kintu                      zonna jeziva
kyamuwendo                                         Singa tuba tubikumye
Kumpi buli mwaka era ffe kituleeta
Kyentegeeza kyekyikyo kyabutonde                   6. Obutonde bw’ensi bukuume bulungi
bwansi                                             mwattu
Mwetukumiira ffenna obulamu bwaffe                 Kuba amyumba getusulamu
                                                   mwetugazimba
3. Tuli bayizi ba Bruno mumaaso gamwe              Amazzi nettaka, emiti saako n’amyinja
Ewaffe ebyobutonde bw’ensi tubitegeera             Bikwate bulungi, bikulu nnyo
Tetutema miti namuddo ffe tubikuuma                byebituyamba
Musssanaery’amanyi mu miti mwetudda
                                                   7. Katubasiibule ng’ate tubakuutira mwe
4. Bwotema omuti nkusaba simbawo                   mukuume ebyobutonde
omujja                                             Kuba bwebulamu bwaffe
Tuleme kuleeta kyeya mugwanga lyaffe               Bwetulagajjala obulamu tuba tubufiirwa
Enkuba bwebula ffenna tuba mukudaga                Kuba kubyo’butonde, obulamu
Kale tulwanyise abagitema nga tebasimba            kwebusibidde.




Background music was provided by Sun Rays Disco Sound of Masaka Town which also
played music to mark the end of the days’ celebrations at around 5.00pm.
Constraints encountered
    • Inadequate funds which made mobilization difficult.
    • Peoples’ reluctance towards celebrating environmental days.
    • Many activities were taking place at the same time which made it difficult for
       some officials not to attend.
    • Public environmental awareness still inadequate
Reactions and Recommendations
   •    Schools should be targeted for environmental sensitization and practical skills
        developments
    •    Adequate funds should always be availed to make Environmental public
         awareness through commemoration of environmental important days and other
         forms of media a success.
    •    Support from all stakeholders should be ensured as the Environment is a key
         element in development of the country.
    •    Environment issues should be part of the civic education agenda of the country in
         order to gain support for its conservation by the politician at all levels
    •    Identify people who will handle topical issues in schools to be sensitized
    •    Nature Uganda to establish EE/ESD clubs in all schools with assistance of
         NEMA and Department of Natural Resources.
    •    Similar talks should be organized at school level for all students




Wetlands Day celebration event 26/02/2009

Appreciation
We are however grateful to the following organizations whose efforts and commitment
made the celebrations a success;
   1. UPDF Armored Brigade, Masaka through it’s C/O for providing tents and chairs
       free of charge and also delegating his staff to attend the celebrations.
   2. NW& SC, Masaka Area through Manager for providing food and refreshments
       for all people that attended this day’s celebrations.
   3. Kimanya / Kyabakuza division political office for supporting and attending the
       occasion.
   4. Management of Aunt Rachel Primary School for hosting and providing the venue
       for the occasion.
   5. Nature Uganda for public mobilization through radio announcements and other
       adverts.
   6. Novelty Leather Tannery for financial support




   We are also grateful to your office for the support it rendered in mobilizing the public
   to realize the success of this occasion.




   Rose Nakyejjwe
   District Environment Officer/Masaka
   E-mail; environment@masaka.go.ug
   Website; http://www.masaka.go.ug

Copy to;
  “    Executive Director/ NEMA
  “    Commissioner Wetlands Management Dept./K’la
  “    Executive Director/ Nature Uganda
  “    RDC/Masaka
  “    LC V Chairperson/ Masaka
  “    Brigade Commander/ Masaka
  “    Area Manager/ NW&SC/ Masaka
  “    Chairperson LC III/ Kimanya- Kyabakuza
  “    Director/ Aunt Rachel Primary School
  “    Manager/ Novelty Leather Tannery- Kijjabwemi