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Environmental experts are urging Uganda to balance rapid development with conservation, cautioning that failure to do so risks dire consequences for future generations.
Speaking during the Uganda Golf Club’s (UGC) Wednesday Club Night, Victor Nahabwe, Senior Manager of Environment and Field Operations at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), emphasized the importance of sustainable development.
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“As we develop as a country, we must strike a balance between environmental conservation and development,” Nahabwe said. “Focusing solely on growth today will leave future generations to suffer from lost environmental resources.”
He warned that unchecked development could worsen health crises, reduce biodiversity, and deplete essential resources like clean water. Nahabwe also stressed the need for collective efforts, particularly in preserving green urban spaces, which help mitigate air pollution caused by vehicular emissions.
“Environmental conservation is everyone’s responsibility,” Nahabwe said, noting the need for partnerships to protect Kampala’s limited green spaces. He commended UGC’s green belt for improving air quality and mitigating health risks for communities in areas like Nakasero.
During the event, the House of Jazz handed over proceeds from its “Save the Lungs of the City” campaign to UGC. The initiative, launched on September 8, aimed to raise awareness about Kampala’s largest green belt and promote sustainable urban development.
Jackie Kaluletwa-Kakiza, co-founder of House of Jazz, celebrated the partnership with UGC. “In less than 40 days, we worked to ignite urgency about the environmental crisis we face,” she said, describing UGC as an ecological treasure for Kampala.
UGC Vice Captain Jerry Owachi highlighted the golf course’s ecological significance, describing it as “the lungs of the city.” He noted its role in cleaning emissions and hosting diverse flora and fauna, humorously calling marabou storks “frequent visitors hosting summer parties.”
Owachi reaffirmed UGC’s commitment to expanding green spaces and called on stakeholders to prioritize conservation for Kampala’s future. “This isn’t just about golf; it’s about sustaining an essential part of the city’s ecosystem,” he said.