“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
The words of renowned conservationist Jane Goodall framed discussions at the launch of the 2026 Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition, where organisers called on photographers to document environmental challenges and conservation efforts across Africa.
The regional competition, themed “Frame Your Future”, seeks to promote environmental awareness through visual storytelling at a time when biodiversity loss, habitat destruction and climate change are drawing increasing global concern.
Speaking at the launch, Steven Asiimwe, chief executive officer of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), said environmental conservation requires greater participation from both the public and private sectors.
“The cause of the environment has not been given as much attention as it deserves, especially from us in the private sector,” Asiimwe said.
He said economic growth and environmental protection should go hand in hand, adding that businesses and communities alike have a role to play in addressing environmental challenges.
The competition is open to professional photographers, amateur photographers and members of the public. Participants may submit photographs taken using either professional cameras or mobile phones.
Jackie Tahakanizibwa, head of external and corporate affairs at Uganda Baati Limited, said photography can help draw attention to environmental issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“Scientists warn that nearly one million species around the world are at risk of extinction, largely due to human activity, habitat destruction and climate change,” she said.
“The question is no longer whether our environment is changing. The question is whether we are paying attention.”
Tahakanizibwa said photographs have the ability to communicate environmental realities in ways that reports and statistics often cannot.
“A single image can tell a story that statistics cannot tell. It can inspire action, spark conversations and remind us of what is at stake,” she said.
The initiative is being coordinated through the Safal Group Foundation network across countries where the group operates.
George Mubiru, head of the Safal Uganda Baati Foundation, said the competition aligns with the foundation’s environmental conservation and community development programmes.
“We believe that without this environment, we will not survive. The environment does not owe us anything, but we owe it everything,” Mubiru said.
He said photographs submitted through the competition would contribute to environmental awareness and advocacy efforts.
Selected photographs will be auctioned, with proceeds supporting vocational training and skills development programmes for young people.
The launch was attended by officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), which said photography has become an increasingly useful tool for environmental monitoring and reporting.
“A picture is worth a thousand words. Many actions we take are informed by pictures shared with us by the public,” said Wilbert Ikilai, assistant commissioner for environment education and advocacy at NEMA.
The competition is open to participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa and other Safal Group markets.
Entries must be accompanied by a 200-word statement explaining the story behind the image and its relevance to conservation. Participants may submit up to three entries.
The overall winner will receive US$3,000, while second and third place winners will receive US$2,000 and US$1,000 respectively.
Organisers have also introduced a public choice award worth US$500 and a youth category for participants under the age of 18.
Submissions close on June 20, with winners set to be recognised at a regional gala event in Nairobi on July 17.