Entebbe Botanical Gardens

GSSAP 2013 team at Entebbe Botanical Garden viewing Lake Victoria!

“The only people who respect nature are those without money, once they get money their hearts change,” said Kim, our tour guide at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Since I made it to Uganda, I have been in a constant state of awareness of everything around me. So when I found out that I am first on the list to blog I was a little confused on where to start. We have gained so much knowledge about Uganda just this first week, and since coming to Gulu, we are learning everyday about the conflict, peace building and the dynamic complexities of the country as a whole. I chose to write about the first issue that got me contemplating about the environment during our first excursion trip to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. 

Located along the shore of the great lake Victoria, in Entebbe, the Botanical Gardens is home to different species of plants from around the world. These plants are native to many different countries and serve many purposes for conservation and researching. However there are challenges that the gardens face, especially for preservatory purposes. The Ugandan climate and rich soil makes the country a hub for experimenting with different types of species of plants that are beneficial for global consumptions and bio-diverse purpose.  Many of the plants have a lot of purposes and benefits, including medicinal. 

Our graceful tour guide, Kim presented many species of plants and told us about the medicinal purpose it serves. He elaborated on the ways some trees, plants and roots were used traditionally to treat various illness. He was very vocal about traditional methods of processing medicine and the need to revive those practices. This theme of preserving these traditions of living from and with the land and environment has been resonating with me since I have been here. Did the older generations of Ugandans understand the purpose of preserving the environment more? The argument about preserving the environment has been mostly a 21^st century phenomenon in the West, especially with climate change, but it seems like the older generations of Ugandans were, to some extent, very aware of the tremendous benefit they got from maintaining and preserving the species of plants and animals in our environment. 

Reflecting on what Kim said about the poor respecting nature, along the shores of Lake Victoria, I was informed that many fishing companies are operating along the coast. Even a European flower planting industry can be found along the coast. While these companies are not polluting as much as the ones in Beijing and other industrial cities,  it shows that profit is being put ahead of sustainable practices. I am hopeful because of  people like Kim and other friends of GSSAP that we have met so far that solutions are being implemented to tackle environmental issues. Winston Churchill called Uganda, “the Pearl of Africa” in 1908. Uganda is indeed a beautiful country with a spectacular landscape and rich fertile soil. Since there is an understanding about the environmental concerns, there is hope. To former, future, and present GSSAP members let’s continue to advocate for the betterment of this beautiful country.