KABALE: The Kabale District LC.5 Chairman, Nelson Nshangabasheija, has appealed to the Government to consider compensating people whose lives will be impacted by the Presidential directive to evict them from wetlands.
Last October, President Museveni issued an executive order, instructing authorities to ensure the eviction of wetland encroachers nationwide. The Ministry of Water and Environment subsequently gazetted several wetlands for restoration, instigating fear among those reliant on these areas for their livelihoods.
In Kabale District, efforts have begun to restore approximately 350 acres of encroached wetlands, long utilized for settlement, agriculture, and various human activities. Notable among the wetlands slated for restoration are Ikona Wetland in Maziba Subcounty, Kyanamira–Kabanyoyi Stretch in Kyanamira Subcounty, South Kiruruma Wetland in Kamuganguzi Subcounty, Kabari Wetland in Rubaya Subcounty, and Nyombe Wetland in Kahungye Subcounty.
Addressing the District Council, chaired by Speaker Flavia Kanagizi on Tuesday, Chairman Nshangabasheija emphasized that the aforementioned wetlands had served as a vital source of livelihood for thousands of people who now require alternatives before eviction. He stressed the importance of educating the populace about wetland conservation before enforcement actions commence.
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The district Speaker, Flavia Kanagizi Nyinakiiza, instructed the technical staff at Kabale District Local Government to provide further guidance to the District Natural Resources Committee, where the matter was referred for detailed discussion. Kanagizi urged the committee to focus on interpreting the Environment Act 2019 in conjunction with the presidential directive on wetlands before the District Council formulates its resolution.
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When contacted, Kabale District Environment Officer Evas Asiimwe disclosed that they had compiled a comprehensive list of individuals likely to be affected by wetland evictions, should the Government opt to assist them in seeking alternatives. She noted that these lists were compiled between July and December last year.
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In the meantime, Kabale Deputy RDC Ronald Bakak urged residents to vacate ecologically sensitive areas and refrain from settling or conducting agricultural activities in these regions.
He emphasized the critical role of wetlands in maintaining a healthy environment and averting future flooding incidents. Bakak highlighted that encroachment compromises wetlands’ water-absorption capacity, leading to heightened flooding in surrounding areas. He pledged that district authorities would collaborate with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of wetland conservation.
