Were River Aswa a person, they would be blaming Mitty Acan, an inhabitant of Ogur sub-county in Lira district. The reason? Because Acan is removing sand from its branch river, the River Moroto.

As the Aswa flows through 15 regions in northern Uganda, it sustains countless individuals and creatures with its waters before eventually joining the White Nile. During her younger days, Acan would gather water from the river for consumption, meal preparation, and occasionally for making traditional beer.

The river also provides fish for Acan and other locals. Nevertheless, hardship has compelled Acan and others in Ogur to extract greater resources from the waterway.

“We receive funds to cover our household expenses,” Acan states, noting that the sand serves as a kind of “pain reliever” offering temporary respite from severe poverty.

The region and surrounding areas suffer from significant poverty, largely as a result of the two-decade-long conflict led by the Lord’s Resistance Army, which affected the area between 1986 and 2007.

As per the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 42.1% of people in northern Uganda live below the poverty line, compared to the country’s overall rate of 16.1%.

“When we returned from the camps for internally displaced persons, we had no means of earning a living. We were left with nowhere else to turn,” she said.

This statement indicates that the ecosystem may not stay undisturbed when impoverished populations live nearby. For these groups, the most accessible resource is typically the rich farmland.

Nevertheless, continuous farming has caused them to become less productive. This situation has deteriorated further due to extreme weather conditions like droughts.

Mining sand and producing charcoal offer individuals a way out of poverty and hunger.

We are aware that sand extraction harms the ecosystem, yet we lack alternative means for our existence,” Acan states, mentioning that she would be willing to stop engaging in sand mining if she could find a more sustainable income opportunity.

We require assistance from the government to secure earnings that do not harm the environment.

Extracting sand as her source of income, Acan remains unaware that this activity is damaging the homes of fish and other water creatures, worsening riverbed erosion, and making the river channel and shores less stable.

This serves as a reminder that although the conflict which affected northern Uganda has concluded, a new battle against the environment has begun, and the government now faces an enormous challenge in combating it.

Betty Atoke, the community development officer for Ogur sub-county, states that sand extraction becomes more common during the dry season as farmers have additional free time not occupied with gardening activities.

“The location consistently resembles a marketplace throughout the dry season. We’ve raised understanding regarding the risks associated with sand extraction, yet individuals remain entrenched,” she states.

Furthermore, the communities participate in charcoal production, which is having a negative impact on the environment. Although shea is considered an important tree species, locals often fell it for use as charcoal.

Sheanut serves as an essential ingredient in over 100 different items, such as anti-aging lotions that are widely favored in Western countries.

A lifeline, Aswa consists of a network of swamps that supply water all year round. It covers an area of 28,000 square kilometers in northeast Uganda.

It travels northwestern direction towards the White Nile via South Sudan. According to Africa Wetlands, an environmental organization, Aswa has eight smaller rivers or drainage areas.

Solutions

Close to the location where Acan extracts sand, Richard Obua has launched sustainable projects. Alongside apiculture and gardening, he also raises fish. “I never run out of funds since I own businesses that can generate income,” Obua states, noting that his ventures provide revenue in both immediate, medium, and extended timeframes.

I wish those individuals responsible for damaging Aswa would instead raise fish, maintain beehives, and care for goats.

Unusual business

Phabius Otike, leader of Lira’s natural resources division, emphasizes that water safety—ensuring sufficient quantity and good quality of water—is essential for long-term growth. Additionally, he noted that the natural resource industry has lacked adequate funding to educate people about environmentally responsible practices.

“I believe organizations such as Join for Water, an NGO, will serve as a driver not just to ensure water accessibility but also to safeguard the watershed,” Otike states.

Various government agencies have previously operated independently when dealing with ecological issues. Nevertheless, this situation is evolving as the Government adopts a “whole Government strategy”.

This implies various governmental departments and organizations collaborate to reach a common objective. Moreover, alliances that unite the Government, the business sector, non-governmental organizations, religious groups, cultural entities, and members of the public are now being adopted.

This is due to the fact that numerous stakeholders at the local, national, regional, continental, and global levels bring varying domains of expertise, according to Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, a commissioner within the water ministry.

This is an initiative being utilized through Integrated Water Resources Management. It unites those who use water at lower levels with those located higher up within the watershed area to collaborate effectively.

What implications does this advancement have for Acan and her neighbors? They can gain advantages both currently and in the long term provided they are equipped with knowledge on how to wisely utilize natural resources.

River revolts

The river, providing fish for nearby residents, has begun to rebel against them. It dwindles into small streams during prolonged droughts.

During the wet season, water accumulates, forming temporary ponds within the sand mines which now serve as dangerous pitfalls. As per Partners in Resilience, an independent organization, approximately 20% of River Aswa’s watershed area in Uganda has turned into barren land.

Aswa bears the same name in South Sudan as well. To address this issue, Partners for Resilience, an initiative involving the United Nations Development Programme, is increasing conservation activities through support from local groups.

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