By Mike Rwothomio

Cultural institutions around the globe have been urged to take active roles in conserving wetlands, recognizing their influential position in safeguarding these vital ecosystems that function as critical natural carbon sinks and climate regulators.

The call came from Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention Secretariat based in Switzerland, during Uganda's national commemoration of World Wetlands Day 2026 in Kampala on February 2.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Water and Environment, featured a message delivered on behalf of H.E. President Yoweri Museveni by Guest of Honour Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabanja.

Dr. Mumba highlighted  interconnections between wetlands, cultural practices, traditional knowledge systems, and community heritage. 

She emphasized that wetlands are not only biodiverse habitats but also cultural landscapes integral to human identity and sustainable livelihoods.

Aligning with this year's global theme, "Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage", and the accompanying slogan "Conserve Wetlands, Protect Heritage", the observance points to  the essential contributions of indigenous and traditional knowledge in wetland protection.

Alur Kingdom Prime Minister who is the Deputy Secretary General of COTLA Uganda Chapter  a pledge on behalf of his cultural institution.

In a landmark commitment to ecosystem-based climate mitigation and adaptation, Jadipu Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, Prime Minister of the Alur Kingdom, signed a pledge on behalf of his cultural institution. 

The agreement commits to partnering with the Ugandan government in executing the National Wetlands Strategic Plan, aligned with Uganda's long-term sustainable development goals toward 2030, and advancing the objectives of the  1972 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Uganda, as one of the 172 contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands worldwide, continues to prioritize wetland restoration and protection.

Environmental experts note that these actions deliver multiple co-benefits for climate action such as serving as blue carbon reservoirs to sequester carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from degradation, bolstering climate adaptation through enhanced water security and flood regulation, and sustaining biodiversity-dependent livelihoods.

Jadipu who is the Deputy Secretary General of COTLA Uganda Chapter having tet-a-tete on the side-line of the main event with the PM of Tyeng Adhola, the Secretary General  Richard Josel Obbo at Nakawa.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa, your number one grassroots information hub