KAMPALA, July 20, 2023 – The executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Dr. Barirega Akankwasah is one of the eight awardees of the Always Be Tolerant Organisation (ABETO) peace awards for 2023.

The colourful event took place at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Thursday July 20.

ABETO was started in 1995 as a non-government organisation following a call from her Majesty the Queen of England during the Commonwealth general assembly in 1995 in Harare Zimbabwe.

A total of eight individuals scooped the awards. These are, in no particular order: Dr. Barirega Akankwasah – NEMA, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa – Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Monica Musenero – Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation; Mr. John Musinguzi – URA, Dr. Johnson Byabasaija – Prisons, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo – DPP, Dr. Charles Kiyaga – ministry of Health, and H.E Godfrey Kirumira – Namibia’s Counsel to Uganda.

Accepting the award, Dr. Akankwasah said that the ABETO recognition has re-energized his resolve to pursue peaceful co-existence between nature and humanity.

Dedicating the award to his NEMA staff, Dr. Akankwasah said: “I am delighted to be considered for this prestigious ABETO award 2023. I wish to say that I re-commit my energies and that of all NEMA staff into working for a just and sustainable environment.”

Officiating at the ceremony, the minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi noted that humanity is grounded in diversity along lines of politics, religion, tribes and values, among others, which are sometimes cause intolerance. She called on Ugandans to work and live together in harmony as the only way to development.

“This award is a motivation for individuals to work for peace in their organisations. Therefore, I thank you for promoting the values of inclusion and co-existence in this country,” she said. Minister Amongi is a 2022 ABETO peace awardee.

Speaking at the same occasion, Mr. Moses Musana, the chairman founder of ABETO said of Dr. Akankwasah: “We have tracked and reviewed his performance. We have observed that Dr. Akankwasah’s work methods are that of a lover of peaceful interactions and co-existence.”