Western Ugandan Districts face water shortage as Levels at River Rwizi reduce.
- Public has raised a red flag about the state of Rwizi river calling for urgent restoration.
- Nile Breweries has donated two billion shillings towards the restoration of River Rwizi in Mbarara.
Image: Moses kidandi
Over thirteen districts in south western Uganda are likely to face a water shortage following the reduction in numbers of water volumes from River Rwizi which is the main source of water.
this is as a result of human activity along the river bunks that has caused pollution and silting of the river there by affecting the level and quality of water .
Following a general public out cry by environmentalists, Nile Breweries, through its parent company AB Inbev has donated two billion shillings towards the conservation and restoration of River Rwizi located in Mbarara.
Image: Moses kidandi
The money will help train farmers and locals in the affected districts on best practices theat wiil help with protection and restoration of the river.these include installation of contour trenches and control of soil erosion that has been ending up in the river ,better farming practices and water harvesting.
River Rwizi and its catchment covers an estimated area of 8200 kms,spanning over 13 district local governments in Western Uganda.
The river provides water and related environment services to approximately 2.5 million people in South Western Uganda which represents approximately 4.5% of the population of Uganda (UBOS1, 2014).
The cheque to the communities was delivered by Onapito Ekomoloit, the Legal & Corporate Affairs Director, Nile Breweries Limited.
Nile Breweries Ltd, through its parent company AB Inbev has been supporting a number of water steward projects in partnership with World Wide Fund for nature, Uganda Country Office (WWF UCO), Ministry of Water and Environment, Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM) Victoria Water Management Zone (VWMZ) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of Uganda.