Govt to launch new study on River Nyamwamba

The Ministry of Water and Environment, in collaboration with the Kasese District Local Government, is set to launch a second pilot study on River Nyamwamba.

The study aims to determine the exact amount of material deposited in the riverbed over the years, a crucial step in solving the persistent flooding issues caused by siltation.

The study, according to Kasese's senior environmental officer Mr. Augustine Koli, will help accurately measure the deposits accumulated over the river’s bed and guide future de-silting efforts.

"By carrying out this study, we will be able to know how much material needs to be removed and the cost associated with it. We will also identify the type of equipment necessary to carry out the de-silting effectively," said Mr. Koli.

For over 40 years, the river has been subjected to severe siltation, with past de-silting efforts largely failing to provide long-term solutions.

This new initiative seeks to learn from those past mistakes, addressing the root causes of sediment build-up and ensuring sustainable management of the river.

In parallel with the upcoming pilot study, long-term interventions are also being put in place. Mr. Frank Namara, the Emergency Operations Manager of the Red Cross, emphasized the importance of bamboo planting along the riverbanks.

Bamboo helps stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and reducing further deposits into the river.

"This is a more sustainable approach to managing the river's ecosystem, ensuring that we don’t face the same issues repeatedly," Namara added.

However, despite these efforts, human activities such as farming along the river's buffer zones remain a significant challenge.

Mr. Mustafa Kikusa, the Chairperson of the Kasese Disaster Management Committee, issued a stern warning to residents engaging in such activities.

"We will not hesitate to take action against those who continue to cultivate in these critical areas. Such practices are directly contributing to the river's degradation," he said.

The new  study is seen as a critical step in reversing the decades of cumulative damage caused by sediment build-up and human interference.

With both short-term and long-term measures in place, officials are optimistic about the future of River Nyamwamba and its surrounding communities.