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By Ezadri Michael Onyafia
TEREGO: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
In the West Nile district of Terego where Tobacco growing as the main cash crop has dominated since the colonial times, environmental challenges abound.
Deforestation arising from massive use of wood fuel for tobacco curing and opening of virgin lands for new plantations during the decades-old practice has left the terrains bear of vegetation cover.
The result has been unreliable rainfall, groundwater contamination, poor agricultural productivity and high level of impoverishment. Women are most affected as they have been forced to rely on charcoal burning to fend for families while the men wallow in alcohol consumption and drug abuse.
When the environment degrades, resources become scarce, leading to increased poverty, hunger, and vulnerability. Water scarcity due to Climate change and unreliable rainfall have left many streams and rivers dry for large parts of the year.
This state of affairs requires coordinated action. Yet the local leaders who are well-positioned to champion this cause are not using their influence to educate, organize, and inspire change.
The community leaders therefore need to spearhead the responsibility of protecting natural resources so as to cause change directly within communities, enact and enforce protective ordinances to combat deforestation, educate and mobilize the community to raise awareness about the benefits of conservation.
Mobilize villagers for communal conservation activities, such as tree-planting campaigns and wetland restoration projects.
Involve civil society organizations and youth groups to expand, reach and build momentum; Promote climate-smart agriculture while collaborating with agricultural extension workers and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to teach farmers sustainable practices that protect the land while improving yields.
Agroforestry, the practice of planting fruit and other native trees on farms to provide shade, improve soil fertility and offer diversified income; integrated soil fertility Management (ISFM) using techniques like mulching, cover crops, and organic manure to retain soil moisture, combat erosion, and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
I challenge the political and civic leadership of Terego district to promote water-efficient irrigation through advocating for affordable, solar-powered irrigation systems to ensure consistent crop production during dry spells.
Support alternative energy sources to reduce on the high demand for firewood that is a key driver of deforestation, Lobby for the extension of electricity access at reduced tariffs, and promote the use of energy-saving cooking stoves like the Rocket Lorena which significantly reduce wood fuel consumption; Mainstream gender in conservation efforts and demand accountability and investment.
Hold technocrats accountable for delivery failures and ensure that development projects are conducted with environmental protection in mind.
With knowledge and the collective will of the community to adopt sustainable solutions to restore the environment, we can secure a brighter future for Terego District.
The writer is an MBA student of Makerere University Business School
