A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION TO WATER AND SOIL QUALITY IN FOUR FOREST RESERVES NEAR KAMPALA, UGANDA

There are four forest reserves that are located on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda that area conservation groups have deemed extremely important to protect through restoration practices and the enhancement of environmental research and education. These reserves, which have suffered greatly from human encroachment, are part of the once expansive lowland forests adjacent to Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world. Although the biodiversity of living species is being studied in this region, the geologic component is lacking. This paper discusses baseline geologic data (e.g. soil and hydrology assessments, water chemistry) collected from Kitubulu, Zika, Mabira, and Mpanga Forests. The preliminary data collected may indicate early stages of environmental degradation. Elevated Fe and low pH in some surface waters may indicate influence of mine tailings, whereas depleted dissolved oxygen may indicate increased turbidity from siltation

The preliminary data set has defined measurable and practical geologic parameters that should be monitored continuously in order to discuss the overall health of the Lake Victoria catchment basin. To date, there has been no systematic monitoring of watershed health in this area because of lack of laboratory analysis capacity in Uganda. Employing the help and support of local conservation groups, and college students from Makerere University, are essential to the success of a long term soil and water quality monitoring program.