STUDY SITES

Factors leading to riparian degradation and pollution

Rural, Hilly Upstream

(RHU)

This segment, located in Buhweju, captures the ecological conditions and human influences typical of rural, hilly terrains. It encompasses hill erosion, agrochemical use, seasonal flooding, wetland degradation, and disposal of alcohol distillation waste.

Rural Upstream Wetlands

(RUW)

Positioned in the lower Buhweju-Sheema stretch, this site delves into rural upstream wetlands, offering insights into wetland ecosystems. Dynamics include upstream wetland degradation, riparian cultivation, agriculture, road run-off, and livestock grazing.

Rural Flood Plains (RFP)

In Mbarara district, this segment characterizes rural flood plains, addressing wetland degradation, riparian cultivation, inundations, eutrophic flood pools, water hyacinth, fecal contamination from livestock grazing, river bank erosion, siltation, sedimentation, and sand mining.

Peri-Urban Upstream

(PUU)

In Mbarara district, this segment characterizes rural flood plains, addressing wetland degradation, riparian cultivation, inundations, eutrophic flood pools, water hyacinth, fecal contamination from livestock grazing, river bank erosion, siltation, sedimentation, and sand mining.

Urban Sprawl (USP)

Within Mbarara district, this segment represents the peri-urban upstream region, exploring the transitional zone between rural and urban influences. It encompasses soil excavation, wetland degradation, riparian cultivation, eucalyptus tree farming, urbanization, gully erosion, waste dumping, and abattoir discharge.

Peri-Urban Downstream

(PUD)

Situated at the Mbarara-Isingiro interface, this segment characterizes the peri-urban downstream region, capturing river dynamics during its transition from urban to rural

influences. Issues involve cumulative urban waste discharges, degradation, riparian cultivation, livestock impact, river bank erosion, siltation, sedimentation, gully erosion, eucalyptus tree farming, and plastic pollution.