Here is an EcoStory written by Charles Jaryekonga SJ.
Growing up in the countryside in north-western Uganda was something of a marvel. The lash green environment covering undulating hills are a sight to behold. More importantly, it was well-watered by five rivers running from the hills, watering the valleys providing fresh and clean water to a few thousands as they wind their way into Lake Albert, 45 kms away. As boys growing up, the rivers were our natural swimming grounds and the banks places of socialization.
Sadly, the rivers are all gone within a decade leaving behind dry river beds with seasonal streams which trickle when it rains. The drying up of the rivers are a direct contribution of climate change and human activities. Due to climate change, rain became more erratic since the turn of the 21st century. The unpredictability of the rainy seasons forced people to resort to cultivating crops along the river banks. Subsequently, waters started disappearing from the rivers. The river beds became dry plains and even when it rains, the flood waters simply runs down along the river.
Additionally, due to reliance on wood as a cooking fuel, 60% of the tree cover, including those at the sources of the rivers, are depleted, exacerbating the problem of erratic rain. Even though a few people understand their roles in the drying up of the rivers, they have little alternative as has the government in providing alternate sustainable sources of livelihood and so, the situation is getting worse. This is happening as the population increases rapidly and the need for water supply grows by the day.
The impact has been devastating for a people who rely on natural water supply including rivers and rains for domestic as well as farming use. The heavier burden lies on women and girls who have to travel long distances during drier seasons in the search for water as it is still considered that their role is to provide water at home. The situation is definitely reversible but it requires sacrifice from the community and intervention of the government. However, the local community and the government can do very little to counter the erratic rainy pattern which is at the core of the problem of degradation in the first place. Without the entire humanity responding to the challenge of curbing climate change, many more rivers and swamps are at risk of disappearing in a country like Uganda.
