Summary:
- Kisoro District Environmental Officer, Akankwasa Unice, criticized political leaders for paying lip service to environmental protection, especially during the recently concluded Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-elections.
KISORO: The Kisoro District Wetland Restoration and Conservation Project team has accused political leaders of sabotaging wetland conservation efforts to secure votes.
This accusation follows a scheduled meeting at Kirundo Sub county headquarters with residents encroaching on the Gichuba wetland. However, the encroachers failed to show up.
The Kisoro District Environmental Officer, Akankwasa Unice, criticized political leaders for paying lip service to environmental protection, especially during the recently concluded Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-elections.
Akankwasa emphasized that the restoration of wetlands is ongoing across Kisoro District and Uganda as part of the presidential initiative to conserve the environment. She revealed that 1,200 hectares of encroached wetlands have so far been restored out of 1,990 hectares targeted.
“Leaders tipped residents to encroach on wetlands in search of votes, but it is not documented in Uganda that locals are allowed to access wetlands. We are following President Museveni’s guidelines on environmental conservation. If those leaders have information on any constitutional amendment, they should inform us,” Akankwasa said.
She further noted, “Gichuba wetland is not the only wetland under restoration. We are restoring wetlands across the district. Soon, we will provide goats, cows, and sheep as alternative livelihoods to residents evicted from Mishishi wetland and other areas.”
CUE IN AKANKWASA….ON POLITICAL LEADERS…..RR//
The Kirundo Sub county LC3 Chairperson, Geoffrey Nvuyekure, also pointed fingers at some senior political leaders claiming that during the recent by-election campaigns, certain leaders encouraged residents to encroach on wetlands to improve their harvests.
“This has created significant tension between the Kisoro Wetland Restoration and Conservation team and the encroachers,” Nvuyekure said.
He expressed concern over unfulfilled promises by the district restoration team, which, he argued, has frustrated encroachers, leading to further environmental degradation.
Nvuyekure added, “During a rally at Kisharu Primary School, Minister Chris Baryomunsi told voters that wetlands in the Kigezi and Bukedea regions could be used by the public. He introduced himself as Vice Chairperson for the Western Region and Minister of ICT and National Guidance. Residents are now questioning who they should trust: Minister Baryomunsi or the district leaders.”
CUE IN NVUYEKURE…..ON WETLAND….RR//
Similarly, the LCV Councilor for Kirundo Sub county, Louis Bishubeho, commended the government’s efforts to provide alternative livelihoods to encroachers, saying it is a better strategy for wetland conservation.
Bishubeho urged the Kisoro District leadership to clearly demarcate boundaries between government wetland land and public land to prevent further encroachment.
“In the past, residents left some wetlands intact to collect building materials and mat-making supplies. Unfortunately, others have now started encroaching on government wetlands, which is unacceptable,” Bishubeho stated.
CUE IN BISHUBEHO….ON DEMARCATION….RR//
Meanwhile, the Kisoro Wetland Restoration and Conservation Project team has announced that on Friday, encroachers evicted from the Mishishi wetland will receive alternative livelihood support, including cattle, goats, and sheep.
