A hike to Mukazi Anyaara Waterfalls

Ibanda Trekkers Club-a club of Tourism and Conservation Enthusiasts has been spearheading tourism and conservation developments in Ibanda and neighboring districts for years now.  A local tourism team comprised of especially service and business people and a number of students in various institutions have been very passionate about eco-tourism and climate change. Members have the opportunity to support Natural and rainforest conservation, climate change actions, environmental education, sustainable livelihoods, Nature conservation, organic farming and economic growth.

The Project Launch

Ibanda Trekkers launched the project in partnership with National Water and Sewerage Corporation Ibanda Branch on the 14^th of April 2024 in Mukazi-anyaara up the mountains of Mabonwa in Ibanda West Constituency. The project will see Ibanda Trekkers Club plant 500,000 trees under their theme “Trek, Hike, Plant and Conserve”, a movement aimed at saving the environment from the harsh conditions of global warming.

National Water and Sewerage Corporation

The day’s activity was coordinated by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation Area Manager Ibanda Branch Mr George Ongwech who is also a member of the Ibanda Trekkers Club. Ongwech has been leading a large water project for Ibanda area that taps its water from the source of River Mukazi-anyara in Mabonwa area. “Joining the tree planting opportunities gives you the chance to make a difference by preserving water catchment area and protecting the environment from degradation. “When National Water and Sewerage Corporation came to Ibanda, there was scarcity of clean water in the district. Although there was already a water supply from Mukazi-anyara by local government, the supply was low compared to the increasing population of the area. NWSC has solved the challenge by increasing water reservoir and installing larger pipes hence increasing water supply to the users. Our water and environmental conservation efforts and tree planting opportunities also provide some host of skills to those that participate and the entire community”. Ongwech mentioned while addressing the hikers.

“Tree planting has many benefits. These plants release oxygen into the air and absorb carbon. Apart from beautification, planting trees also contribute to preserving water catchment and to a healthy living”. Ongwech added.

Mr. Ongwech George commended the Ibanda Trekkers Club for cooperating and collaborating with NWSC to serve the communities of the region. He called upon trekkers to continue with the initiatives that support community livelihoods such as those that increase water supply and preserve existing water and other natural resources.

Officiating the Launch, the Club president Mr Divas Elia mentioned that this project is implemented a cooperate social responsibility for the club and every member of the club is happy to participate. Divas added that the natural world is under severe threat due to climate change, land degradation, pollution, political inaction and other destructive enterprises. Also that human activity has altered almost 75% of the Earth’s surface and carbon dioxide levels have risen to an all-time high. Divas quoted that “Uganda’s natural environment is at high risk; that’s why Ibanda Trekkers Club integrates themes such as ‘’Healing the Environment for a Healing Environment’’.  He mentioned that this Environmental project was carefully selected to give chance to the members of the club to be part of the solution for the community. The club’s conservation project is helping National Environmental programs by going beyond sustainability by regenerating lands, ecosystems and wildlife around the region, with the aim of leaving every place better than they find it wherever they go for the tourism developments

“We know our planet is facing environmental challenges such as deforestation and climate change. People are stepping up and taking action. Environmental activists and nature lovers are coming together to contribute to protecting nature. To protect the wildlife species, our club members are also paying attention to wildlife conservation. If you’ve been wondering how to play your part, a tree-planting initiative could be right for you to begin and is a great way to give back to nature”. Mr Elia Divas added.

At the Launch, the club hosted Mr Bashir Mwanguhya the President of a sister club from Fort Portal Tourism City “The Fort Portal City Walkers Association who joined the hike to Mukazi-Anyaara. “When you participate in tree planting activities or planting events, you’ll be playing an essential role in restoring the natural order and creating a healthier place and a healing environment for us all to live”. Mr Bashir said.

“As we know it, the earth would not be the same without trees and forests. Forests are of a significant importance to human and animal life. Apart from being a major source of oxygen, the value extends to providing us with materials. These include medicine, food, and other raw materials. Yet, over the years, human activities have caused a decline in the number of trees worldwide. It is estimated that the world has lost one-third of its forests with agricultural activities one of the significant contributors to this decline”. Mr Bashir added

Mr Bashir praised the efforts of members of Ibanda trekkers club in conserving environment through planting trees and teaching communities to do the same. He added that Fort Portal City Walkers Association was also designing similar projects under the theme “Plant your age”, an initiative encourages every citizen to plant a number of trees equivalent to their ages.

Mr Bashir added that the “Plant Your Age campaign” seeks to enhance and unify tree growing across the region and that’s why Fort Portal City Walkers had to join Ibanda Trekkers Club on such an event. “There are already numerous tree planting campaigns championed by different players and entities, but they are often time-bound and splintered, which makes it hard to track progress, survival and flourish of planted trees. Plant Your Age doesn’t seek to replace or outshine any of these tree planting ventures; rather, it seeks to enhance and unify tree growing at individual, corporate and national levels”. Mr Bashir added

This enhancement is based on the concept of planting and growing trees that correspond to your age each year, whether that age is biological, product or anniversary related, for instance, during the anniversary of a given corporate’s founding, all staff members can plant trees corresponding to the corporate age in question or number of products they handle. When trees are planted, they are in essence ‘born’ and must be nurtured to full maturity. This is a critical component of the ‘Plant your Age’ campaign.

‘Plant your Age’ campaign provides an opportunity for national and county governments, corporates and individuals to inject innovation into tree growing by ensuring long-term flourish of these trees. It grants a platform for governments to expand the forest cover of gazzetted national forests by investing national resources into consistent tree planting exercises within these forests. In the same vein, ‘Plant your Age’ campaign unlocks multiple opportunities for Corporate Social Investment that will expand not just forests and woodlands, but also trees and better relationships. In addition, this campaign extends a hand of partnership to individuals who are part of a bigger movement that lends long-term significance to their individual tree growing efforts.

How old are you? Now imagine every year you have lived represents a chance to restore hope, inspire a new generation, replenish health and make the world a better place for all. When you plant a tree, you give life to the living and make it worthwhile for you, your family and future generations.

“The Plant your Age Initiative advocates for citizens and visitors to endeavor to plant trees equivalent to their ages and ensure that they grow, where applicable grow to your age.” This serves as an awareness creation opportunity for the populace to prepare to plant and grow trees equivalent to their relevant ages during every rainy season.

Community Development and Education

Mr Elia Divas mentioned that Ibanda Trekkers Club in its tree planting also includes community development and education programs in this mission, and all trekkers are ambassadors in this initiative. Under the initiative people in their communities are taught to plant trees, do conservation and prevent environmental degradation.

Apart from planting trees and restoring forests, there are also opportunities in creating awareness within local communities. This involves providing information to local communities about environmental conservation best practices. Such efforts empower the community members. They are also able to understand the importance of forests and make positive contributions to their areas. For instance, during the planting season, the farmers become armed with information to provide organic foods while maintaining soil fertility. 

Another way the trekkers club supports communities is by working closely with the locals. This collaboration usually involves the collective planting of trees in various areas. The goal here is to support, educate and provide skills to empower local communities. The end goal is not providing information but empowering communities to take an interest in environmental preservation and tree care. 

Our tree planting efforts are aimed at preserving and healing the environment for the good healing of humans in return. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases kill about 41 million people annually. This accounts for 71% of all deaths globally. Among these are lifestyle diseases that can largely be prevented through proper nutrition and fitness. Natural landscape, fresh vegetables and fruits are all key drivers of healthy bodies and minds. Trees play a key role in all these drivers. They provide fruits and underpin natural landscapes. Through agroforestry, they also protect the soil that nurtures vegetables and other crops.

Therefore, every time you grow a tree, you are investing not just in planetary health, but also human health. During the tree planting campaign, we encourage trekkers and every one of us to invest in your health by planting trees. Let’s grow trees and harvest health! As black Africans our health, our black skin can only remain stronger and protective to our lives when it is kept under natural balanced weather. Once we invest in healing the environment we will have a healing environment for our lives.  We heal the environment by keeping it green, in return the environment heals us by keeping us black.

Over 30 members of the Ibanda Trekkers Club participated in this activity which included hiking to the famous Mukazi-anyaara source of gravity water that supplies a larger part of Ibanda District with clean water, which area also hosts one of the best waterfalls in the region “Mukazi-anyaara waterfalls”.  A hike to Mukazi-anyaara is one of the best hikes for fitness in Ibanda, but also a treasured tourism destination in the region.

The author is “The Planned Tourist” at Kitara Foundation for Regional Tourism also a member of Fort Portal City Walkers Association; contact +256772888149 and +256752888149, Email: s.fenekansi@yahoo.com