The regional manager of the Nile Basin Discourse has called on journalists to take a leading role in the fight against plastic pollution.
Speaking after a five-day workshop for journalists from ten Nile Basin countries in Kampala, Uganda, Eng. Sylvester Anthony Matemu emphasized the critical role of the media in raising awareness and driving action on this pressing environmental issue.
The workshop brought together over 30 journalists from Burundi, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania to explore the impacts of plastic waste on the Nile River and surrounding communities. Participants engaged in discussions on best practices for reporting on environmental issues and were equipped with tools to investigate and highlight the effects of plastic pollution on health, biodiversity, and local economies.
“Journalists have the power to influence public opinion and policy by shedding light on the devastating effects of plastic waste. Your stories can inspire change and encourage sustainable practices within our communities,” Matemu said.
He underscored the urgency of the situation, noting that plastic pollution poses significant threats to the Nile River, which is vital for the livelihoods of millions in the basin.
The workshop included expert presentations, group discussions, and field visits to local sites affected by plastic waste. Matemu encouraged journalists to share their newfound knowledge with their audiences, highlighting success stories and innovative practices that combat plastic pollution.
The training, organized by the Nile Basin Media Network (NBMN) in collaboration with the Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT), the East Africa Radio Service (EARS), German Cooperation, implemented by GIZ, the Nile Basin Discourse, and the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), aimed to empower journalists to effectively investigate and report on plastic pollution.
NBI Executive Director Dr. Florence Grace Adongo highlighted the urgency of addressing plastic pollution, noting its detrimental impact on waterways and broader environmental and health implications.
“We are witnessing firsthand damage caused by single-use plastic, whether it is clogging our waterways or harming our wildlife and threatening public health,” she stated. “For transboundary rivers like the Nile, plastic does not respect borders; it flows from one country to another, linking us all in a shared environmental fate.”
Participants shared their insights and renewed commitment to advocacy. Moese Angelo from Burundi expressed that the training enhanced his understanding and skills, particularly in citizen science, and emphasized the need for community engagement in combating plastic pollution.
“As a journalist, I gained skills such as citizen science something uncommon in my respective country engaging the government for better-informed decisions,” he said. “Overall plastic is a threat to the Nile and it must be beaten through advocacy and plastic-based stories and involving the community.”
Another journalist, Dramadri Frederick from Uganda echoed similar sentiments, stating that the workshop fueled his passion for reporting on environmental issues and the necessity of pressuring governments for effective policy implementation.
“The training has enlightened and added on the little knowledge I had and has given me the morale to do more in advocating for conservation of the Nile River and also looking at environment plastic pollution,” he explained. “The government has to be pressured through stories for effective implementation of plastic disposal policies and the community awareness to take the issue of plastic pollution with seriousness.”
With the world producing 430 million metric tons of plastic annually and more than two-thirds becoming waste, the environmental impact is profound. Research suggests that if current trends continue, plastic could contribute up to 19 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, jeopardizing climate goals.
Dr. Adongo also noted that the Nile, known as the “father of African rivers,” is among the top rivers discharging plastic into the Mediterranean Sea, contributing between 100 and 1,000 tons of microplastics annually.
As the workshop concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to champion the cause of environmental sustainability in the Nile Basin.