By Ginaba Lino
More than 120 young people in Juba have joined the youth-led environmental Organization Save the Nile in a campaign to protect the River Nile from growing plastic pollution, warning that poor waste disposal threatens public health and South Sudan’s most important water source.
The campaign, launched to mark World Environment Day, brought together youth volunteers, local authorities, and community members to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic waste and promote responsible waste management practices.
Founded in 2025, Save the Nile began as a research project led by environmental activist Makur Majang after he observed increasing amounts of plastic waste littering streets across Juba.
“I kept seeing plastic bottles on the streets and began asking where they ended up,” Majang said. “I discovered that much of the waste is washed into the Nile through drainage channels, especially during the rainy season.”
The initiative has since evolved into a youth-driven movement focused on environmental education, community clean-up activities, and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing pollution in the river.
Majang urged residents to take personal responsibility for protecting the environment, warning that pollution of water sources can contribute to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
“When people throw plastic bottles onto streets, they eventually end up in the river,” he said. “Protecting the Nile starts with simple actions like proper waste disposal and keeping our communities clean.”
The campaign received support from Juba City Council. Speaking during the event, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Waste Management Stephen Lomude described the Nile as South Sudan’s lifeline and called for collective action to protect it.
“The amount of waste flowing from our homes and streets into the Nile is too much,” Lomude said. “Protecting the river is the responsibility of every citizen.”
He encouraged residents, particularly young people, to become environmental ambassadors and help spread awareness about keeping the Nile free from pollution for future generations.