KAMPALA – The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Busitema University. The event took place Friday, February 2, 2024 at NEMA House in Kampala.
Speaking at the ceremony, the NEMA Executive Director, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, who signed on behalf of the environment regulator, welcomed the collaboration, and called on more institutions to emulate Busitema University. He reported that NEMA has already had earlier collaborations with Makerere University and the International University of East Africa.
The MOU with Busitema aims at strengthening the relationship between the two institutions in environment management. It also aims to enhance collaboration in research, training, and sustainable management of natural resources.
Dr. Akankwasah explained that the university’s programmes and research initiatives align with NEMA’s goals, providing essential human resources for environmental management.
On offer
NEMA will offer internship and apprenticeship opportunities to Busitema University students while Busitema will host NEMA staff for knowledge updates in natural resource management. The ED also expressed the need for the university’s assistance in developing mercury-free gold extraction technologies in the country.
“Our mandate is very broad and we achieve this through working with lead agencies and partners. Because there is no way one institution called NEMA can deliver the environment, because it is everything that exists and everything we do, from natural, physical, bio-physical, social economic and other aspects of life. It is not achievable without collaborating with partners like respective institutions that deal with issues of the environment,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Waako, who led the team from Busitema University, said: “We have developed systems to predict landslides in the Elgon region, and these will help us not only to save lives but also to ensure that mitigation measures are put in place in adequate time to avert any possible disasters.”
Prof. Waako revealed that the project would be implemented by the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment Science in Namasagali, working in collaboration with other faculties across the university’s seven campuses.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives at the university such as a pilot study supported by the science technology and innovation Secretariat in Office of the President on reinforcing roads with plastics. Additionally, the university’s mining department has developed mercury-free gold extraction methods, demonstrating promising yields.
Prof. Waako welcomed the MoU, saying: “Through this collaboration, we aim to mobilize resources to advance these innovations and potentially implement them nationwide to protect our environment.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the NEMA Board Chair, Prof. James Okot-Okumu said environment management is a complex matter that needs collaborations of such nature. He thanked Busitema University for the great innovations in environment management.