(i) Awareness raising on POPs in Mbale
With support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Pro-biodiversity Conservationists in Uganda (PROBICOU) in Partnership with the WWF implemented a project aimed at strengthening sustainable environment and natural resource management, climate change adaptation and mitigation in Uganda. As part of the overall aim, the project also promoted safe use of chemicals in rural agricultural communities. One of the project objectives was to put in place an effort, to minimize the contribution of chemical use towards climate change and its related effects.
The project focused on: - integrating POPs management in district planning and budgeting processes at local government level. The project entailed developing information on POPs, promoting safety measures in their management, use, and disposal, as well as building a comprehensive public awareness and education on the alternatives to these toxic chemicals. POPs awareness raising meetings targeted Districts Lower Local Government Representatives from the Districts of Mt. Elgon/Mbale Region.
(ii) Trainings on POPs
PROBICOU participated in the trainings on implementing the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This was a five day training aimed at equipping the necessary knowledge to the researchers and the members of the committee overseeing the implementation of the POPs convention in Uganda. PROBICOU also represents the Civil Society organizations on this Committee. PROBICOU also conducted awareness meetings in Mbale with an aim of strengthening regional coordination mechanism on the management of POPs among district and lower local government officials in greater Mbale region which comprises of the districts of Bukedea, Mbale, Sironko, Manafua and Bududa .
(iii) Awareness and Trainings on Pesticides
PROBICOU participated in the training to phase out endosulfan in Uganda. This training was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Husbandry (MAAIF) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). PROBICOU has been carrying out awareness raising on sound management of pesticides in Uganda as well as sensitizing communities in areas where there is plantation farming on dangers of mismanagement of pesticides.
(iv) Training on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development
PROBICOU attended the International Symposium on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development - A Global Symposium on Environmental Rule of Law On the occasion of the 1st Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) on Tuesday, 24th June 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya. This was facilitated by UNEP and it set out the plans on the Environmental Rule of Law. The key messages emanating from the Symposium were forwarded to the UNEA to inform, guide and enrich the debate on sustainable development goals and the post-2015 development agenda, including sustainable consumption and production as well as the ministerial dialogue on illegal trade in wildlife. The outcome of the Symposium generally contributed to the promotion and development of environmental rule of law at national, regional and international levels.
(v) Elimination of Mercury in Uganda
PROBICOU has been creating public awareness about the Minamata Convention on Mercury and Mercury Pollution in Uganda. The project was conducted in Uganda in the capital city of Kampala.
The main objective of this project was to raise public awareness about the Minamata Convention on Mercury as well as general mercury pollution. Specifically, the project intended to; Convene a one stakeholder dialogue for the technocrats from the sectors of mining, health, environment, water and industry as well as Members of Parliament (MPs) and representatives from the civil society; and Conduct a media campaign about the importance of the Minamata Convention on Mercury as well as the dangers of mercury pollution on human health and the environment. The major deliverables, outputs and or products were summarized into fliers, media/newspaper clips, public dialogue photos and the final report. In addition, the project led to enhanced capacity of stakeholders and their obligations towards the ratification and implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.