Uganda honors King Oyo’s environmental legacy during river run
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Environmentalists in Mbarara, Uganda, held the annual River Rwizi Run to honor the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro and to raise awareness for restoring the River Rwizi catchment.
Participants reflected on King Oyo’s dedication to environmental protection, tourism, and wildlife conservation as they participated in the eco-marathon. The River Rwizi has experienced declining water levels, threatening both the water supply and the ecosystems that rely on it.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported that conservation work has restored 700 hectares of degraded land across the districts of Mbarara, Rwampara, and Sheema. WWF Country Director Ivan Tumuhimbise credited King Oyo’s advocacy as inspiration for these efforts, noting that coordinated conservation can lead to significant ecological recovery. Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi praised the late King’s commitment to planting trees and protecting natural resources.
Kakyebezi also urged political leaders in South-Western Uganda to prioritize conservation, expressing frustration with those who have not supported the river’s restoration. Stakeholders at the event committed to continuing King Oyo’s work and intensifying conservation efforts around the River Rwizi.
