By Spy Uganda
Fort Portal City is set to mark this year’s World Earth Day 2026 with a bold, action-driven campaign aimed at tackling climate change and improving sanitation, signaling a new era of community-led environmental stewardship.
Known as one of Uganda’s top tourism hubs, Fort Portal City will host the commemoration on April 22 under a unique approach that prioritizes hands-on activities over the usual ceremonial speeches. The initiative brings together key stakeholders including AFRIYEA Golf Academy, the Ministry of Water and Environment, World Wide Fund for Nature, and the Fort Portal City Council, alongside civil society groups and local communities.
At the center of the activities will be a massive clean-up exercise targeting the city center and the fragile River Mpanga catchment area. Volunteers, youth groups, and municipal teams will work collectively to remove plastic waste, unblock drainage systems, and rehabilitate degraded riverbanks affected by years of pollution and poor waste management.
According to Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of AFRIYEA Golf Academy, the exercise goes far beyond aesthetics. He noted that restoring the city’s cleanliness directly contributes to improved sanitation, reduced flooding during rainy seasons, and better air quality. Efforts such as limiting open waste burning and restoring vegetation along riverbanks will also enhance the environment’s natural ability to filter pollutants.
In addition to the clean-up, residents will benefit from targeted awareness campaigns in schools, markets, and public spaces. These sessions will promote practical, climate-smart solutions such as waste segregation, tree planting along riverbanks, and the adoption of energy-efficient cookstoves to curb household air pollution.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, Fort Portal City has in recent years faced growing challenges linked to rapid urbanization and climate variability. The degradation of River Mpanga an essential water source for thousands of households and agricultural activities has heightened the urgency for such interventions.
Organizers say the initiative aligns with Uganda’s broader development agenda, particularly the National Development Plan IV, which emphasizes environmental protection, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management. It also contributes to global targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 13 on Climate Action and SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” underscores the central message of the event: that collective action at the community level can drive meaningful environmental change. Gladys, an Environmental Officer at Fort Portal City Council, emphasized that the activities are designed to inspire long-term behavioral change and reinforce a shared sense of responsibility in protecting natural resources.
The clean-up exercise will kick off at 9:00 a.m., with participants gathering at the National Forestry Authority offices opposite the Post Office in Mpanga. Organizers have assured that all necessary protective gear, including gloves and collection tools, will be provided.
As Uganda advances toward a greener and more sustainable future, Fort Portal City’s Earth Day commemoration stands out as a powerful example of how local action can create lasting impact proving that transformation begins with communities taking charge, one street and one riverbank at a time.
