After nearly thirteen years as an environmental lawyer, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of work—research, public interest litigation, community engagements, trainings, workshops, and seminars. The paperwork, court sessions, Zoom calls, and endless meetings can sometimes make you lose sight of the bigger picture. What do I do? At the core of it all, I use the law to fight for the right to a clean and healthy environment for the people of Uganda—and for the rights of nature itself.

But sometimes, you need to step away from the desk, the courtroom, and the city, and reconnect with the very thing you’re fighting for. That’s exactly what happened at the beginning of this month when I was invited by the Kenneth Kakuru Earth Reboot Initiative to join a site visit to Kasese. The initiative plans to plant trees along the banks of the Rwembya and Nyamasagani rivers, which have been heavily impacted by flooding. Little did I know that this trip would reignite my passion and remind me why I chose this path in the first place.

The Journey to Kasese

We set off from Kampala in the wee hours of the morning—a team of seven, including two members from Greenwatch, two from the initiative, two students from Makerere University’s School of Forestry, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences and our awesome photographer Danny. Kasese, approximately 391 kilometers from Kampala, is about a seven-and-a-half-hour drive. The journey was long, but the anticipation of what lay ahead kept us going.

By 2 p.m., we arrived at St. Theresa Secondary School, where we were warmly greeted by Mr. James Bwambale, the head of the school’s Environmental Club. What we saw next was nothing short of inspiring. The school had established a nursery bed with 5,000 tree seedlings, including a variety of indigenous species, fruit trees, and even bamboo. The dedication of the students and the club to restoring the natural ecosystem along the banks of the Rwembya River was truly commendable.

A Walk-Through Nature

From the school, we visited the riverbanks, where the students had already begun planting trees. Walking through the site, I felt an immediate sense of calm. The fresh air, the sound of the flowing river, and the lush greenery were a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Kampala. It was a reminder of what we’re fighting to protect.

As we strolled, we met an elderly woman who had just harvested fresh passion fruits from her garden. She offered us some, and as we broke them open, I tasted what I can only describe as one of the sweetest passions I’ve ever experienced. It was a simple yet profound moment—a reminder of the beauty and bounty that nature provides when we care for it.

Kyambura Gorge: A Lesson in Restoration

Our next stop was the Kyambura Gorge and Wetland Conservation Zone, spearheaded by the Volcano Safaris Partnership Trust. Led by our knowledgeable and hospitable guides, Carol and Augustine, we took a walk through the gorge. The experience was nothing short of magical. The breathtaking views, the fresh air, the chirping of birds, and the interconnectedness of the ecosystem were a feast for the senses.

As we walked, we learned about the importance of wetland restoration. The area had been degraded due to human activity, particularly brick-making. Seeing the stark contrast between the restored and degraded sections of the wetland was a powerful visual reminder of the impact of our actions. One side was thriving, teeming with life, while the other was barely surviving. It was a clear call to action—a reminder of why restoration and conservation are so critical.

Reconnecting with My Why

As the sun set over the community fields of coffee and cotton, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Surrounded by nature, I was reminded of what I’m fighting for. In the daily grind of work—court sessions, meetings, reports, and paperwork—it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. But this trip brought it all back into focus.

I became an environmental lawyer to protect the right to a clean and healthy environment—not just for the people of Uganda, but for nature itself. This visit to Kasese was a much-needed reminder of that mission. It reconnected me with the beauty of the natural world and the importance of the work we do at Greenwatch.

Final Thoughts

As I returned to Kampala, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose. The trip was a reminder that, while the work we do is often challenging and complex, it is also deeply meaningful. It’s about more than just laws and policies—it’s about people, communities, and the planet we all share.

So, the next time I find myself buried in paperwork or caught up in the semantics of the law, I’ll think back to the passion fruits, the riverbanks, and the sunset over Kyambura Gorge. I’ll remember why I chose this path and why I continue to fight for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about what we do—it’s about why we do it.