Environmental Defenders join BCnet

The Blue Community Network is proud to designate the Environmental Defenders of Uganda as a Blue Community, welcoming them into the global family.

The Environmental Defenders (ED) are an environmental conservation and human rights organisation dedicated to protecting biodiversity and the rights of indigenous peoples. The ED’s mission is to protect and defend the natural environment and the people and wildlife that depend on it. ‘We envision a world where people and wildlife can thrive together in safe, healthy and ecologically balanced environments.’

To realise this vision, ED implements a variety of integrated activities to protect biodiversity, empower communities and defend environmental human rights. ED’s work extends across Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, focusing on critical landscapes that connect ecosystems and communities.

In their commitment to becoming a Blue Community, ED states:

«Environmental Defenders seeks to join the Blue Community Network because we recognize water as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of both environmental sustainability and community well-being. Through our work in community education, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation, we have witnessed firsthand how water scarcity, pollution, and poor management undermine livelihoods and degrade ecosystems.
We are committed to advancing the core principles of the Blue Community movement: protecting water as a public resource, promoting equitable access for all, and reducing reliance on bottled water to combat plastic pollution. These principles strongly align with our mission and ongoing field activities, particularly in watershed protection, tree planting, and environmental awareness.
By joining the network, we aim to strengthen our advocacy, learn from global best practices, and build partnerships that amplify our impact. In return, Environmental Defenders will actively contribute through community sensitization, ecosystem-based conservation initiatives, and sharing practical field experiences from Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
We are ready to be an active and committed member, advancing water justice while protecting the ecosystems that sustain it.»

Nassali Edith Pretty, Conservation Programme Manager with ED, declares:

«Environmental Defenders recognizes access to safe, clean water and sanitation as a fundamental human right and a key component of sustainable development. In our past activities, we have contributed to this principle through community education and sensitization programs, where we raise awareness about proper water use, hygiene practices, and the importance of protecting water sources. These sessions have helped communities better understand the link between water, health, and environmental conservation.»

Sir Charles Chitechi, President of the Kenyan Blue Community WASWAK and Blue Community Coordinator for Eastern Africa, welcomes the Environmental Defenders to the Blue Community.

«A quality environment is a key ingredient for quality water for all. Environmental defenders from Uganda are joining the global Blue Community via Blue Community Africa at a crucial time when both Africa and the global community are grappling with carbon emissions from the most industrialised nations. We are proud of your dedicated service in Uganda and hope you will extend it to the region and ultimately the whole world through our network. The world will view us differently when we hand over a healthy environment to our grandchildren. A big welcome to the great Blue Family!»