As the world prepares to mark World Earth Day on April 22, 2026, an inspiring blend of sport and environmental action is taking shape in Fort Portal City. AFRIYEA Golf Academy is leading the charge through its “Free Fort Portal City & River Mpanga from Plastics” Monthly Clean-Up Campaign, demonstrating how sport can be a powerful platform for driving sustainable change.
Held under the global theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” the campaign highlights the growing role of sports institutions in mobilizing communities, especially young people, to take action against climate change and environmental degradation.
Where Sport Meets Sustainability
Traditionally associated with discipline, excellence, and community building, sport is increasingly being recognized as a catalyst for social and environmental transformation. AFRIYEA Golf Academy is leveraging golf not just as a game, but as a tool for environmental advocacy engaging athletes, students, and the wider community in conservation efforts.
By integrating clean-up activities, tree planting, and environmental awareness into its programs, the academy is redefining the role of sports in society.
A City at a Crossroads
Fort Portal City, widely celebrated as Uganda’s tourism capital, is home to the ecologically significant River Mpanga, a vital resource supporting biodiversity, agriculture, and tourism.
Yet, like many growing urban centers, the city faces mounting environmental challenges, including plastic pollution, degradation of riverbanks, poor waste management practices, and declining green spaces. These threats not only endanger ecosystems but also risk diminishing the city’s appeal as a premier tourism destination.
A Movement Driven by Action
Since 2020, the monthly clean-up campaign has steadily gained momentum, evolving into a community-driven movement that combines environmental action with youth empowerment through sport.
This year’s Earth Day activities will bring together a wide network of stakeholders, including Fort Portal City Council, the Ministry of Water and Environment (Albertine Water Management Zone), Tooro Botanical Gardens,NYABAMU Enterprises Uganda Limited, schools, and community volunteers.
Participants will engage in large-scale clean-ups across the city and River Mpanga catchment, alongside tree planting initiatives aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems and enhancing urban green spaces.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Central to the campaign is youth engagement. By using sport as an entry point, Afriyea Golf Academy is inspiring young people to become environmental stewards instilling values of responsibility, teamwork, and leadership both on and off the course.
The campaign not only promotes cleaner surroundings but also builds a generation that understands the link between a healthy environment and sustainable development.
“Through the Free Fort Portal and River Mpanga monthly clean-up, we are not just preserving our environment we are shaping responsible leaders and nurturing a culture of purpose among young people. As we commemorate World Earth Day, we are reminded that true excellence goes beyond any single field; it is grounded in discipline, character, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities we belong to.
Every clean-up initiative reinforces that leadership is not only demonstrated in our professions or talents, but also in how we care for our surroundings and uplift one another. In the face of climate change, these actions no matter how small they may seem become powerful steps toward protecting our planet. By preserving River Mpanga and keeping Fort Portal clean, we are contributing to a healthier ecosystem, promoting sustainability, and inspiring a generation that values service, environmental stewardship, and collective action.
Our vision is to see individuals and communities come together to create lasting impact where success is not only measured by personal achievement, but by the positive difference we make in the world around us, especially in safeguarding the environment for generations to come.” said Isaiah Mwesige CEO AFRIYEA Golf Academy.
Partnerships for Impact
The campaign’s success is built on strong partnerships across government institutions, educational bodies, environmental organizations, and the private sector. This collaborative approach ensures that the campaign delivers both immediate results and long-term sustainability.
Aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 on Climate Action, the campaign reflects a broader commitment to environmental resilience.
