By KT Reporter
Authorities in Isingiro District have raised alarm over the worsening state of Lake Nakivale, a vital water source that supports both refugees in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement and the surrounding host communities.
The lake, which once served as a dependable lifeline for domestic and agricultural use, for refugees and area residents, is now battling the combined effects of climate change and human encroachment.
The District Natural Resources Officer, Emmanuel Bwengye, says the district is experiencing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns marked by erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts that have disrupted the farming calendar and crippled agricultural productivity.
“The area has been greatly affected by prolonged dry spells, resulting in acute water shortages for both domestic and agricultural use. The persistent droughts have forced residents, especially cattle keepers, to migrate to Tanzania in search of water and pasture, and the same is true for Tanzanian herders crossing into Uganda,” Bwengye explained.
He further decried the rampant encroachment on wetlands and the degradation of green cover in hilly areas, saying communities have left the land bare, leading to massive soil erosion and destruction of pasturelands.
Lake Nakivale, which serves as the district’s main water catchment, is now silting up and losing its water-holding capacity due to these practices.
Bwengye made the remarks during the Isingiro District Climate Change Fair, organised over the weekend by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Young Farmers Champions Network (YOFCHAN).
The fair brought together district leaders, farmers, and youth innovators to promote climate-smart and eco-friendly agriculture aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems and improving livelihoods.
The Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Moses Kanduuho, revealed that investigations into the lake’s receding water levels had uncovered shocking human activities, farmers blocking natural inlets feeding the lake and cultivating wetlands that act as sponge beds for water retention.
“We found that some farmers had diverted or blocked water inlets into Lake Nakivale. We are now preparing to carry out an operation to stop all illegal cultivation around the lake and in wetlands,” Kanduuho said, warning farmers to desist before enforcement begins.
He also appealed to the government to increase funding for climate-smart agriculture, noting that investments in sustainable practices will boost productivity, household income, and resilience against climate shocks.
Edward Tanyima, FAO Policy Officer, emphasised that climate change is one of the main drivers of migration in Uganda, particularly affecting women and youth, who bear the brunt of food insecurity and loss of livelihood.
“Our goal is to equip individuals and organisations with practical solutions, knowledge, techniques, and innovations that will enable families to adapt to or mitigate the impacts of climate change. The time to invest in agriculture is now,” Tanyima noted.
Kamutiimah Tumwebaze, Team Leader of the Young Farmers Champions Network, said their ongoing initiative focuses on training youth in climate-smart practices and organising district-level fairs that showcase innovations to enhance sustainability and restore ecosystems.
As Isingiro struggles with the effects of environmental degradation, leaders and partners are calling for urgent action to protect Lake Nakivale, not just as a water source, but as the heartbeat of the district’s ecosystem and livelihood security.
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