As part of a comprehensive effort to safeguard the health of the Rwizi Macro Catchment, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) embarked on a critical mission—collecting water samples from the districts of Isingiro and Kiruhura in July 2024 under MUST IUC UCoBS Sub-Project 1 entitled “Conservation Practices for Environmental and Natural Resources.” This fieldwork, conducted on the 19th and 20th of July, marked a crucial step in understanding the intricate dynamics of water flow and quality in the Rwizi catchment, a vital lifeline for both people and nature in South Western Uganda.
The aim of this study was clear: to contribute to sustainable wetland conservation for improved catchment health. But as any environmental scientist knows, healthy wetlands rely on healthy water—and that’s where this study focused its efforts.
Objectives two and three of the project sought to examine and analyse the impacts of wetland degradation on the sediments and nutrients that flow into the catchment’s rivers. By understanding these variables and how they influence water quality, the team could better inform strategies for restoring and conserving these delicate ecosystems.
One of the key tasks was monthly water sampling, an essential part of water quality assessment. Nature’s rhythms are never static, and neither are water conditions. Monthly samples allow the team to capture the ever-changing picture of the Rwizi catchment’s water quality. By taking samples regularly, the team could monitor how seasonal changes, human activity, and climate impacts ripple through the water.
Figure 1: Reduction in discharge exposing the diver at Rubanga and Kashasha
The importance of this data collection cannot be overstated. Monthly sampling does more than just provide snapshots—it reveals the story over time. Comparing data across different months and even years uncovers long-term trends, allowing scientists to detect whether water quality is improving, deteriorating, or remaining stable. It also helps to identify short-term shifts, such as sudden changes due to weather events or pollution spikes that could be missed with less frequent sampling. Armed with this knowledge, the team can better manage water resources and develop informed strategies for conservation.
During the fieldwork in Isingiro and Kiruhura, the team collected water samples and measured river flow dynamics, including velocity flow. The samples gathered provided a wealth of information on the physical and chemical parameters of the water—data that will become the foundation for understanding the state of the Rwizi catchment. As each bottle was filled, the future health of the wetland came a step closer to being secured. These efforts are not just about measuring numbers and taking samples; they’re about creating a sustainable future. By understanding how wetland degradation impacts the sediment and nutrients in the water, the team can provide valuable insights to inform wetland restoration and conservation mechanisms. And with regular sampling, the story of the Rwizi catchment will continue to unfold, one sample at a time.
The commitment to monthly water sampling reflects MUST’s dedication to leaving no stone unturned in the fight to protect and restore one of Uganda’s most vital ecosystems. As the data is analysed and trends emerge, the university’s researchers are confident that their findings will pave the way for more effective conservation efforts across the catchment.
Figure 2: Measurement of the bathymetry and river flow velocity along a 10 m stretch in Kashasha and Rubanga. A significant exposure of the river banks
The field participants included Ms. Ayesiga Patience, PhD Scholar; Mr. Tinkasiimire Rogers, research assistant/subproject 1 assistant; Mr. Sande Fred, UWA; and Mr. Matovu Nicholas, UWA.
