Dr Jibril Semakura Owomugisha was among the awardees for the National Environment Sustainability Awards, Third Edition, 2026. The glomorous event held at Kampala Serena Hotel under the theme "Innovation For Climate Resilience" brought government officials, conservationists and other corporate partners celebrating various commitments towards environmental protection.
The awardees were uniquely selected from various nominees made for various award categories. The experts aimed at selecting rightful winners following strict guidelines and comprehensive assessments against established environmental Sustainability Criteria," Says Dr Barirega Akankwasa, ED NEMA.
The nominees and winners we are recognizing tonight demonstrate that environmental sustainability and economic growth can reinforce one another.
Innovation enables societies not merely to respond to climate shocks, but to anticipate them, adapt to them, and emerge stronger from them. Investing in resilience today is an investment in Uganda’s future competitiveness, productivity, and prosperity. Climate change has evolved from being primarily an environmental challenge into a macroeconomic challenge, a financial stability concern, and a development imperative." says Dr Michael Atingi Ego, Governor Bank of Uganda.
Dr Jibril scooped the "Biodiversity Conservation Award" attributed to his exclusive efforts towards land restoration via agroforestry investments, conservation forestry and urban forestry programs. His exceptional local & global recognition in the environmental arena as the Uganda's Permanent Representative to UNEP on UN Decade on Ecosystems Restoration, UNFCCC and UNCCD COP participation as a national delegate & negotiator has aided him to lobby various projects and opportunities for Uganda. Dr Jibril is the founding director of Million Trees International Organization, locally based organization working with various partners, government institutions, to enhance land restoration.
If you're not a frog or crocodile, leave the wetlands. God licenced humans to stay in dry lands while aquatics in watery areas. This is a natural permit, " says Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire Minister of Water and Environment.
Dr Barirega, continue the operations on Wetlands and swamps restoration. No one should stop you! All people must vacate these places, he added.
