In a move to deepen international cooperation on forest and water resource management, Uganda on Thursday welcomed a high-level delegation from South East Asia to the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) headquarters in Kampala.
The exchange was part of the South-South Cooperation initiative and is supported by the project "Combating Deforestation and Forest Degradation through the Criminal Justice System."
The visit focused on sharing strategies to tackle deforestation and improve environmental justice, with Ugandan officials engaging their Asian counterparts in dialogue on enforcement, community participation, and sustainable forest governance.
Bob Kazungu, assistant commissioner for Forestry and Project Coordinator at MWE, said the visit came at a critical moment when countries across the Global South are grappling with similar challenges.
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"This exchange visit is an opportunity for us to share experiences, learn from each other, and strengthen implementation strategies aimed at fighting deforestation and forest degradation," Kazungu said.
"Working together across borders helps us build stronger, more resilient forest governance systems," he added.
The Ministry said the partnership would build technical capacity, promote policy dialogue, and inform Uganda's efforts to integrate environmental justice into its legal and administrative systems.
The visiting delegation, whose countries were not immediately named, toured several sites and held technical discussions with Ugandan officials and stakeholders from civil society and the judiciary.
On the same day, the Ministry convened the 15th site meeting for the Tirinyi-Kibuku-Kadama-Budaka Water Supply and Sanitation Project.
Held at the Budaka District Campsite, the meeting reviewed progress on the Shs multi-billion project that aims to extend clean water and improved sanitation to over 105,000 people in Eastern Uganda.
The project targets four towns: Budaka (26,107 people), Kadama (22,111), Tirinyi (34,087), and Kibuku (23,034). It is being implemented by MWE's Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Services Department with funding from the World Bank.
China Railway No. 10 is the main contractor, while a joint venture of Saman and Cheil Engineering, in association with AWE, oversees supervision.
"Our goal is to enhance the operational performance of water service providers and ensure sustainable access to clean water and sanitation services," said a senior official from the Ministry.
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"This is a major step forward in improving livelihoods and public health in these communities."
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to blending water infrastructure development with sound environmental protection and resource governance.
Officials said such integration is key to delivering sustainable development and reducing the vulnerability of communities to climate change and environmental degradation.
Thursday's engagements marked an important dual stride--Uganda strengthening its international ties on environmental justice while pushing forward with domestic service delivery that addresses the pressing needs of its citizens.
