Summary:
During his PDM tour in Kigezi Sub region, this month, President Museveni condemned the practice of rearing cattle in wetlands, emphasizing that wetlands should be preserved for sustainable activities such as fish farming.
RUKUNGIRI: A section of residents from Bwambara Sub county in Rukungiri District are up in arms against government officials, accusing them of forcefully evicting them from wetlands, an area they claim has been their primary source of livelihood for generations.
The eviction, carried out on October 17, 2024, by Rukungiri District authorities, was part of the demarcation and restoration of the River Ntungwa wetland system at Kyabahanga Bridge in Bugarama Cell. This area serves as a vital link between Rukungiri and Kanungu districts, making its conservation a priority for environmental authorities.
Residents say the eviction has left them in a dire situation. Speaking to our reporter, Steven Muhwezi, a resident of Kyabahanga Cell, revealed that he had depended on the wetland for farming, cultivating rice, beans, and onions. With the eviction, he fears hunger may soon grip Bwambara Subcounty, as many families relied on rice farming for sustenance.
Muhwezi also lamented the impact on his children’s education. “I used to pay school fees through farming. Now, with no alternative income, my children may have to drop out of school,” he said.
Charles Kikababonekyera, another affected resident, echoed similar concerns. Having lived and farmed in the wetland his entire life, he now struggles to find alternative means of survival. “We are being left with nothing. Farming in these wetlands was our only way to earn a living,” he stated.
The affected farmers have also dismissed the government’s proposed compensation package of cows and goats, arguing that livestock cannot match the income generated from wetland farming. They are calling on authorities to reconsider their approach by allowing them to cultivate land further from the river while still restoring the critical wetland areas.
CUE IN RESIDENTS…….ON EVICTION……..RR//
In response, Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom reaffirmed the district’s commitment to implementing President Museveni’s directive on wetland restoration. He issued a stern warning to encroachers, stating that anyone resisting eviction risks arrest and prosecution.
CUE IN DRDC ONGOM……ON DIRECTIVE……..RR//
Caroline Ainembabazi, the focal person for the “Building Resilient Communities, Ecosystems, and Associated Departments” project, explained that the initiative aims to restore 450 hectares of wetlands and rehabilitate 400 hectares of degraded catchment areas in Rukungiri District. She emphasized that environmental conservation remains a priority to ensure long-term sustainability and ecological balance.
During his PDM tour in Kigezi Sub region, this month, President Museveni condemned the practice of rearing cattle in wetlands, emphasizing that wetlands should be preserved for sustainable activities such as fish farming. He explained that fish farming can be a lucrative venture, offering substantial returns.
