Experts have issued a warning that the ongoing construction of structures in wetlands will have dire consequences, including severe floods and other climate change-related disasters. Wetlands play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, and global economies.
According to Mr. Jackson Muhindo Rukara, the climate justice coordinator at Oxfam Uganda, large-scale land-based investments managed by private sector companies are destabilizing natural ecosystems. Activities such as sand mining, rice cultivation, and construction of factories in wetlands are causing significant harm to the environment. Some factories are also discharging their waste into freshwater bodies, further exacerbating the problem.
Mr. Muhindo suggests that licenses of such investors in wetlands should be revoked. He specifically points out the green-lighting of rice growing in the Lwera swamp as a perplexing decision. The Lwera swamp, a major water catchment area along the Kampala-Masaka Highway, is connected to important districts and drains directly into Lake Victoria.
Despite warnings from environmentalists, several Chinese companies and investors continue to operate rice fields in the Lwera swamp. This ongoing activity has a negative impact on the ecosystem of the area. Over the past decades, the Lwera swamp has attracted various enterprises, ranging from sand mining to fish farming.
In 2019, during his wealth creation tour in Masaka Sub-region, President Museveni expressed discomfort with rice cultivation in Lwera. He ordered the eviction of encroachers, emphasizing that wetlands are public land that should be protected from individual interests.
The adverse effects of climate change are already affecting food security and the livelihoods of agricultural communities that depend on crops like maize and rice. Environmental experts argue that the shrinking of wetlands is a significant factor contributing to these impacts. Wetlands coverage in Uganda has decreased from 15.6 percent of the country's total surface area in 1994 to 8.9 percent as reported in the 2019 State of Wetlands report published by the Ministry of Water and Environment.
To address these issues, Ms. Harriet Acham, an environmental activist, emphasizes the importance of empowering youth in good environmental governance and natural resource management. Uganda has set a target of restoring wetlands to 12 percent coverage in the National Development Plan and Vision 2040. Mr. Edwin Muhumuza, the CEO of Youth Go Green, highlights the need for thorough environmental assessments and a shift towards sustainable development practices to protect and conserve Uganda's wetlands.
However, the implementation of environmental laws has historically been poor, leading to significant damage. Mr. Muhumuza cites the decimation of half of Bungoma forest by investors as an example.
The issue of flooding is also a concern. In 2022, Mbale Sino Industrial Park experienced severe flooding, resulting in the destruction of valuable properties. To address this, the government initiated the re-channeling of River Nashibisho in the park to prevent future floods. President Museveni highlighted the dangers of environmental degradation, including deforestation, wetland encroachment, cultivation on riverbanks, and improper waste disposal.
Environmental experts, such as Mr. Joseph Okello, emphasize the loss of soil and crop fertility due to these practices. Mr. Charles Wakube, the environmental officer in Mbale District, explains that the construction of factories in wetlands, including the Mbale Sino Industrial Park, has had consequences. The park was built in a flood plain area, increasing the risk of flooding.
Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), acknowledges that projects like Lwera and Mbale Sino Industrial Park were approved before the government suspended any further developments in wetlands. However, Nema has since September 2021 suspended further developments in wetlands.
Efforts are being made to sensitize communities about not settling on riverbanks but instead planting trees. However, many people have accused the government of double standards, as factories releasing pollutants into wetlands remain unaffected, while natives engaged in rice farming face eviction.
Rice farmers, exporters, and millers have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to halt the eviction of locals involved in rice farming in wetlands. They argue that foreign investors engaged in similar activities are not being targeted. The ban on rice farming in wetlands has led to low production and increased retail prices, adversely affecting both farmers and consumers.
Rice farmers like Mr. Simon Peter Bumba in Budaka District express the need for guidance on modern farming practices rather than a complete ban. They emphasize that rice is best grown in wetland areas and that the government should prevent further construction of factories in wetlands.
As Uganda has lost more than 30 percent of its wetlands in the past 23 years, citizens urge the government to take decisive action to save the environment. They call for strict regulation of factories and housing construction in wetlands to demonstrate acommitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. It is crucial for the government to enforce existing environmental laws, conduct thorough environmental assessments, and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, empowering youth and local communities to actively participate in environmental governance and natural resource management can contribute to the protection and restoration of wetlands.
By addressing the concerns raised by experts and stakeholders, Uganda can mitigate the risks of severe floods, preserve biodiversity, and ensure the well-being of its citizens who rely on wetlands for their livelihoods.
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