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Thousands Rally for Conservation at Third Annual Save River Rwizi Marathon

Over 2,000 participants gathered at Booma Grounds in Mbarara City for the third annual Save River Rwizi Marathon, organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with WWF Uganda.

The event, held under the theme “Women as stewards in sustainable utilization of water and environmental resources: empowering the girl child in conservation,” stressed the vital role of women and youth in protecting River Rwizi. Participants competed in three categories—21 km, 10 km, and 5 km—highlighting the growing community engagement in conservation efforts.

Simon Peter Weredwong, WWF Uganda’s Conservation Programs Manager, reiterated WWF’s commitment to restoration efforts and emphasized the importance of engaging communities in meaningful activities beyond awareness campaigns. He noted that WWF has provided 50,000 bamboo seedlings to reforest 1.5 square kilometers along the riverbank, a critical step toward reducing siltation and improving water quality.

 Dr. Calist Tindimugaya, Commissioner for Water Resources, expressed concern over the increasing pressure on wetlands and other catchment areas, which has contributed to the siltation of River Rwizi. He highlighted the implementation of the Rwizi Catchment Management Plan as a significant milestone, involving all 11 districts along the river in addressing encroachment and waste pollution.

During the prize-giving ceremony, Emmanuel Njuki, Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Nile Breweries, applauded the collective efforts in river catchment restoration  and rallied other private sector players to invest in environment sustainability to safe guard their business interests among others.

Since 2019, WWF Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment and with support from AbInBev through Nile Breweries, has been implementing targeted interventions to restore the water quality and quantity of River Rwizi. The marathon serves as both an awareness-raising platform and a catalyst for practical conservation actions, uniting communities in the shared mission to protect this vital resource for future generations.
© Happy Ali
WWF's Simon Peter Weredwong flagging off runners for 5km at the Save River Rwizi Marathon.