WAKISO.
Environmentalists have raised concern over the declining wetland coverage in Wakiso District.
According Ms Rebecca Bukenya Ssabaganzi, the district natural resources officer, wetland degradation has kept on increasing since 2015 and the depletion rate currently stands at 70 percent.
“We had 21,000 hectares of wetlands but today, a total 14,834 hectares are completely degraded which is a worrying trend. We are now working tirelessly to ensure these fragile eco-systems are protected from human settlements and other activities,” she said Tuesday during the belated district commemoration of World Wetlands Day in Mikka Village, Namayumba Town Council.
She explained that wetlands are water catchment areas that help in filtering water before it’s drained into the major lakes and rivers and if they are destroyed, water carries all the dangerous objects. “Lake Victoria has started getting algae, which is an indication that there’s an imbalance.
Algae comes as a result of contamination of our water by human activities and this affects all of us because it’s the only fresh lake we have as a country,” she explained.
She added that the flash floods that were recently experienced in Kampala City and its suburbs are a result of encroachment on various wetlands which clogged drainage channels.
“Human activities in wetlands have an impact on the environment. It may be slow but sure, that is why you see roads cut off by floods,” she said.
The event was graced by different dignitaries including Maj Gen Sam Kiwanuka, the Chief of Production and Welfare in the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).
Gen Kiwanuka called on the National Environment Authority(Nema) to educate the residents neighbouring wetlands about the dangers of encroaching destroying such ecosystems .
“Before you earmark wetlands, are the victims aware of it because people’s needs ought to come first. When you look at Mikka, it is a total valley but densely populated.” Gen Kiwanuka stated.
Ms Takuwa Nuubu , the Central Region Wetlands coordinator, expressed government’s commitment to restore wetlands across the country.
She noted that in the financial year 2023/2024, the wetlands management department restored a total of 7650 hectares of wetlands in various districts across Uganda.
“As part of our restoration exercise, we demarcated 540km of wetlands, intensified enforcement in Mukono, Kampala and Wakiso and also initiated cancellation of 330 land titles in wetlands. We also gazetted 8,614 wetlands across the country.” she aid
Ms Cate Namuddu, the chairperson of the district production committee who represented Wakiso District Chairperson Matia Lwanga Bwanika, condemned politicians who shield wetland encroachers in exchange for votes.
“When speak the truth, they hate you. Even when you lie, they will still hate you. Please tell people the truth, stop politicising everything,” she urged, condemning organisers for putting the event in a wetland