In a remarkable display of community resolve and coordinated action, Lira City on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, led Uganda’s northern regional World Environment Day (WED) celebrations under the national theme: “Stop Plastic Pollution Today.”
The event, which followed a press briefing held on Tuesday, brought together religious leaders, civic authorities, youth, and national agencies in a unified call to protect the environment amidst rising threats from plastic waste and wetland encroachment.
Uganda’s national WED celebration was originally slated for June 5, in line with global tradition, but was rescheduled to June 25 due to overlapping national activities, including the President’s State of the Nation Address and the national budget reading.
The postponement gave Lira City and its partners time to organize extensive mobilization efforts, leading to what participants described as one of the most community-driven and vibrant WED commemorations in recent memory.
This year’s campaign in Lira focused on two pressing environmental issues: plastic pollution and the destruction of wetlands. Uganda currently produces over 600 metric tonnes of plastic waste each day, yet less than 40 percent of this is collected for recycling.
Wetlands, which once covered 13 percent of the country’s landmass, have dwindled to under 9 percent due to unchecked urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructural development.
During the climax of the celebration at Mayor’s Garden in Lira City, Joseph Ongol, Assistant Commissioner for Wetland Management in the Ministry of Water and Environment, presided over the official handover of 37 rugged bicycles to environmental enforcement committees in Lira and Oyam districts.
The donation was made in collaboration with World Bicycle Relief and Buffalo Bicycles Uganda Ltd. According to Ongol, the bicycles are meant to boost community patrol efforts and strengthen the monitoring of vulnerable wetland areas, especially the Acwa and Moroto River systems.
“These bicycles should not be seen as gifts but as instruments of civic duty. Use them to patrol your communities, report violations, and raise awareness. They are tools of service, not tokens of charity,” Ongol said.
The 37 bicycles, each valued at shs730,000, were distributed with 19 going to Lira district: 14 for Barr sub-county and 5 for Ayami and 18 to Oyam district. Ongol’s remarks came after Etot Jimmy, the Oyam District Fisheries Officer, raised concerns about the safety of grassroots environmental volunteers.
He noted that some face intimidation or even arrest when confronting illegal activities backed by politically powerful individuals. Ongol acknowledged the challenge and stressed that the long-term solution lies in empowering communities through awareness and legal support, starting from institutions such as homes, churches, and schools.
The spiritual weight of the day was carried by Rt. Rev. Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of the Lira Catholic Diocese, who led an ecumenical parade from Lira Cathedral to Mayor’s Garden. Quoting Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Bishop Wanok framed environmental stewardship as a sacred responsibility.
He condemned pollution as a moral failure, warning that the continued destruction of natural resources is a sin against both God and humanity.
“Polluting wetlands and rivers is not just an environmental issue, it is a spiritual crisis. Green responsibility is gospel truth,” he said.
The bishop further warned that without urgent action, Uganda risks becoming a desert due to rampant deforestation and environmental neglect.
He urged religious institutions to take a front-line role in guiding the youth toward sustainable practices, adding that today’s young generation must be empowered as agents of change.
The event highlighted growing youth participation in environmental matters. Fourteen-year-old Martha Apio from Lira pledged to stop using polythene bags, citing the long-term damage plastics inflict on soil and animals.
Joseph Omara, a boda-boda rider, volunteered in the city’s drainage cleanup drive, stating that flooded roads hinder his work and that keeping the city clean benefits everyone.
On the economic front, local vendor Mary Acan expressed concern over the cost of biodegradable packaging, calling for more affordable alternatives to help small business owners comply with environmental regulations.
Leonard Otika, Lira City’s Environmental Officer, emphasized the need for behavioral change. He revealed that the city generates over 40 tonnes of plastic waste each month, yet many residents still resort to burning or dumping waste in gardens.
Otika confirmed that a new Solid Waste Management Ordinance is in the pipeline to introduce penalties for illegal waste disposal and open burning.
The Tuesday press briefing set the tone for Wednesday’s festivities, with Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole announcing that the Lira City Council had passed a new ordinance to support environmental enforcement.
Egole stated that laws must be enforced consistently and that the anti-kavera ban from 2009 must be fully operationalized.
“This is not a ceremonial gesture. We are in a battle not with people, but with harmful habits that endanger our future,” Egole said.
George Okelo Ayoo, Mayor of Lira City East Division, echoed this position, adding that the newly distributed bicycles will be tracked to ensure accountability, and that periodic inspections will be conducted to reinforce enforcement.
Mayor’s Garden served as a vibrant exhibition space where innovation and environmental awareness were on full display. School children showcased educational materials and artworks made from recycled plastic, while innovators presented eco-friendly products such as school desks, floor tiles, and shopping bags manufactured from waste.
Civil society groups demonstrated composting techniques, biodegradable packaging options, and urban gardening methods. The atmosphere was further energized by live performances of drama, music, and poetry, reinforcing the day’s environmental messages in engaging and culturally resonant ways.
Gabriel Kilama, Program Manager at Buffalo Bicycles Uganda Ltd, said the organization would support the monitoring of bicycle use in both districts to ensure they fulfill their intended purpose. He urged district officials to maintain a proper inventory of the bikes and ensure they are branded for easy identification.
“These are not just wheels, they represent a pledge to protect our environment,” Kilama said.
The Lira celebration has become a model of integrated, grassroots environmental leadership that blends policy, faith, innovation, and public participation.
From the wetlands of Ayami to the civic arena of Mayor’s Garden, residents demonstrated that environmental protection is not only a policy directive but a moral and civic imperative.
As Uganda pursues its Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals, the 2025 World Environment Day event in Lira has shown that real change begins at the community level.
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