Enock Nimpamya
2 July 2009
opinion
Once regarded as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda was indeed a paradise and favourite destination for many tourists due to its beautiful geographical features and climate.
When I was a little boy, I used to see mists and fog at least once every morning. There were lots of beautiful flowers and fruits that we used to enjoy during childhood. I happened to have visited Buhweju in 1986, and I saw 'roaring' rivers like Mpanga and Kyenjogyera with clean water and many people could fear to cross during rainy seasons. But these rivers are almost extinct now.
In 1990, I visited Kigezi and Kabale; it was too cold that one needed three jackets to survive the cold during the day. Every morning all hills could hardly be viewed due to dense mists and fog until around 10a.m. I indeed regarded Kigezi as the 'Netherlands of Uganda'. Seasons could easily be predicted by each and everybody. Local knowledge could tell what should be done and in what season. For example, November through December was regarded as season of grasshoppers and one could tell with accuracy that rainy season was setting in. In Buhweju and Kigezi, malaria and flu were rare and it was uncommon to see teenagers dying of common ailments.
With rising temperatures, melting ice caps on Mount Rwenzori, reduction of water levels, drying off of rivers and streams and destruction of tropical vegetation and wetlands, weather and climate patterns in different parts of Uganda have drastically changed. Scientists are warning that changes in global climate is endangering public health by increasing the spread of diseases and other health problems. The issue of the impact of climate change on health is currently critical. Researchers fear that current warming trends, if uncontrolled, will greatly increase health risks. These health hazards range from deaths related to extreme high temperatures and natural disasters to a change in patterns of diseases that are sensitive to temperature and precipitation, such as malaria and influenza.
In different parts of Uganda, there are reports of cases of the disease in previously malaria-free areas. At least Buhweju and Kabale which used to be almost malaria-free zones are among the worst hit. Such health consequences will be severe for the people in the poor countries.
We have to adopt sustainable living to reduce the severity of climate change and its effects. We also have to carry out massive sensitisation and capacity building, diversification of the economy so that we do not need to over rely on agriculture which depends on weather, now more than ever, we have to safeguard our wildlife for they are our early warning systems against outbreaks of some deadly diseases.
We need to recognise that climate change is trans-boundry and this requires comprehensive and collaborated efforts of the civil society and governments to deal with climate change.
Mr Nimpamya is the director-Research, Action Coalition on Climate Change (ACCC), Kamwokya, Kampala, Uganda
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