By Mike Rwothomio

District leaders in Zombo have been called upon to urgently activate environmental preservation measures and translate knowledge gained from various trainings into practical actions that deliver tangible impacts on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience.

Irene Apio, a representative of SPACE, a non-governmental organization implementing the “Strengthening Environmental Accountability and Climate Action project in the West Nile,” made the remarks during an engagement meeting with Zombo district leaders held at Nyapea Sub-county Hall on Monday, June 22, 2026.

The project is being implemented by SPACE in Zombo district across the sub-counties of Atyak, Kango, Nyapea, Abanga, and Paidha. A consortium of partner NGOs is rolling it out in other areas: Rice West Nile in Obongi and Madi-Okolo, Friends of Zoka in Adjumani, and the African Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy in Amudat and Nakapiripirit.

The engagement brought together district and sub-county leaders and focused on the project’s three core objectives: increasing community awareness on environmental protection and climate change; strengthening implementation of by-laws, policies, and laws on the environment; and expanding access to alternative livelihoods to reduce over-dependence on natural resources.

Apio emphasized the need for local authorities to prioritize sustainable environmental management to combat degradation and build community resilience against climate change impacts.

“The responsibilities heavily rely on all of us regardless of who we are and where we come from. The negative impacts of climate change affect all of us, it’s time we take action,” she said.

Participants raised several environmental concerns, including the limited budget allocations for extensive ecosystem restoration efforts by most lower local government units. 

Uganda’s district local governments typically allocate less than 1% of their total budgets to environment and natural resource management, largely because they depend heavily on central government conditional grants that prioritize other sectors.

A community development officer noted that due to limited funding for environmental restoration and climate mitigation measures, “many of the efforts can’t proceed,” stressing the need for increased support from relevant authorities.

Local government leaders highlighted the absence of a dedicated conditional grant from the central government specifically targeting environmental protection or climate change adaptation, which complicates implementation.

Over 80% of local government financing comes from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development through ring-fenced conditional grants for national priorities such as education, health, and roads, making diversion to environmental activities illegal.

Assistant Environment Officer Milton Okumu stressed the importance of taking environmental issues seriously, warning that failure to act decisively would exacerbate climate change impacts

He called for the formation of competent environment committees at local levels to champion ecosystem restoration efforts.

Ephraim Kumakech, Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for Zombo District, urged deliberate prioritization of budgets toward environmental conservation measures to directly address restoration needs.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Bruno Manano called for the formation and strengthening of functional environment committees at all levels to enhance ecosystem restoration, promote sustainable natural resource use, and support wetland conservation initiatives.

The multi-district initiative by the consortium of NGOs comprising SPACE, Rice West Nile, Friends of Zoka, and the African Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy seeks to raise community awareness on environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and adaptation.

It aims to foster environmental accountability, empower local stakeholders, and drive collective action toward sustainable development and long-term ecological balance in the region.

Irene Apio, a representative of SPACE

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub for African news trends and updates.