For the first time since their inauguration in Kigali, Rwanda six years ago, the Nile Day Celebrations are set to be held in Uganda and Jinja town has been chosen to host the February 22 fete.

State Minister for Water and Environment Betty Bigombe told a news conference that the celebrations are held every February 22, to commemorate the founding of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in 1999.

Set to run under the theme: “Water, Energy Food - Importance of Nile Cooperation,” Bigombe noted that participants at the Jinja event will have an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using the Nile basin resources in a sustainable way.

She added that the events will provide an opportunity to celebrate the rich and varied cultures which exist within the Nile basin.

Faced with mounting challenges including rapid population and urbanization growth, the minister noted that the region faces enormous challenges ranging from environmental degradation, pollution, rising water scarcity, climate change, floods as well as uneven levels of economic development.

The holding of the Nile Day celebrations in Jinja will not be the first time the town and the whole country are being impacted by the regional body since Jinja also hosts the headquarters of the NBI.

The Nile Basin Initiative brings together 10 countries of the Nile basin including Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, DR. Congo, Uganda,
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt. Southern Sudan is yet to be admitted to the regional body.

By Melody Kukundakwe