Soil Cries, Community Rises: Amuru's Stand Against Plastic Pollution.

“In Amuru, plastic is no longer just waste — it's a threat to the food on our tables and the water we drink. But small-scale farmers are fighting back.” Communities in Amuru District are sounding the alarm over a growing environmental emergency — plastic pollution. What was once viewed as harmless waste has now become a threat to water sources, soil health, and even climate stability. Uganda faces a mounting crisis, with millions of tons of plastic polluting rivers, fields, and lakes every year. The consequences are severe: contaminated water, declining soil fertility, and microplastics infiltrating the food chain, endangering both wildlife and human health.

To confront this escalating threat, ESAFF Uganda launched a powerful sensitization campaign in Amuru District on World Environment Day, June 5, 2025, under the global theme: “Ending Plastic Pollution.” The initiative brought together small-scale farmers, youth, and local leaders for a day of action, learning, and community empowerment. This commemoration aligns with the 1972 UN General Assembly resolution designating June 5th as World Environment Day — a day meant to mobilize global efforts for environmental protection and sustainable practices.

On this day, small-scale farmers gathered for transformative training sessions on plastic recycling and sustainable environmental practices. These sessions tackled real fears and misconceptions farmers hold, such as: fears that plastics harm the soil, lack of affordable recyclable materials, knowledge gaps on plastic reuse in agriculture.

Through practical demonstrations, farmers learned how to sort, clean, and repurpose plastics into useful farm tools and packaging. ESAFF Uganda emphasized the 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—as central to promoting a circular economy that benefits both livelihoods and ecosystems.

The campaign had a strong youth component. Local agroecology clubs and school leaders joined in clean-up drives, shared poetry, and engaged in environmental awareness challenges on social media. One outstanding moment came from Ms. Oroma Susan, a young poet, whose performance echoed through Olwal Town Council: “Our soil, a cradle of life, cries for restoration—not for the neglect brought on by waste.” Her voice, like many others, inspired peers to organize school clean-up events and start community “plastic watch” groups.

The clean-up of Olwal Town Council marked a symbolic beginning. Participants learned that plastics, when properly managed, are not just pollutants — they can become tools for change. Farmers explored creative uses of recycled plastics, such as: drip irrigation pipes from old bottles, seedling containers from jerrycans and plastic mulch for moisture retention.

During the event, Councilor IV Mr. Arop Simon Peter called for action at the policy level, “We must come together to forge a path forward. Only through collaboration can we reclaim our land and nourish our future.”

Ms. Kidega Sophie, ESAFF Amuru’s District Chairperson, emphasized the deeper stakes involved, “This initiative is crucial not just for our community but for the future of agriculture. We must protect our soil and water to secure our economy and our children’s food.” She encouraged community members to attend an upcoming dialogue to co-create bylaws addressing plastic pollution at the grassroots level.

We all have a role to play in turning scraps into solutions. Here’s how you can take part:

• Join the Plastic-Free Amuru Campaign Share your stories and ideas using #PlasticFreeAmuru | #FarmersForThePlanet

• Start or support an Agroecology Club in your school or village

• Launch a community clean-up or poetry slam on environmental protection

• Advocate for bylaws in your local council to restrict plastic waste dumping.

The plastic crisis is real — but so is the power of people, especially when united by knowledge, purpose, and local leadership. The people of Amuru are proving that community-led solutions to rewrite the narrative.