The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has called on cultural leaders in Uganda to revive traditional practices that promote environmental conservation. Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, the Executive Director of NEMA, made the call during an engagement with leaders from five cultural institutions in Uganda. The engagement aimed to create a partnership between NEMA and cultural institutions to promote environmental protection and conservation.
Role of Cultural Institutions in Environmental Protection
Cultural institutions play a significant role in promoting environmental protection and conservation. As such, Barirega called on cultural leaders to document and revive traditional environmental practices that are of value towards environmental conservation. He emphasised the importance of working together to mobilise communities through cultural festivals to conserve the environment by tree planting initiatives and other environmental conservation activities.
Key Areas of Collaboration: The engagement identified key areas of possible collaboration between NEMA and cultural institutions, including:
Joint Management of Plastic Pollution
Barirega noted that NEMA and cultural institutions can work together to manage plastic pollution, which is a major environmental challenge in Uganda.
Awareness Creation
He pointed out that cultural institutions can help raise awareness about environmental issues and promote environmental conservation practices among their communities.
Capacity Building
The ED revealed that NEMA can also provide capacity-building training to cultural institutions to enhance their ability to promote environmental conservation.
Preservation and Protection of Cultural Sites
NEMA and cultural institutions can work together to preserve and protect cultural sites, which are an important part of Uganda’s heritage.
Benefits of Collaboration: The collaboration between NEMA and cultural institutions can have several benefits, including:
Inclusive Environmental Protection
This partnership between NEMA and cultural institutions can promote inclusive environmental protection, where all stakeholders are involved in environmental conservation efforts.
Raising Awareness
The partnership can also raise awareness about environmental issues and promote environmental conservation practices among communities.
Improved Environmental Conservation
The partnership can lead to improved environmental conservation outcomes, as cultural institutions can play a significant role in promoting environmental protection and conservation. The engagement between NEMA and cultural institutions is a significant step towards promoting environmental protection and conservation in Uganda.
By working together, NEMA and cultural institutions can promote inclusive environmental protection, raise awareness about environmental issues, and improve environmental conservation outcomes.
The partnership can also help to preserve and protect cultural sites, which are an important part of Uganda’s heritage.