KAKUMIRO, UGANDA: Macklin Namiyengo the Kakumiro District environment Officer has asked all wetland encroachers to voluntarily vacate the wetlands before law enforcement.
The encroachers are currently planting cabbages, rice, tomatoes among others in the wetlands of Mabengere in Kisiita Sub county, Kabale in Katikara sub-county, Mpongo in Kiamong others.
Addressing a meeting in Kyakajumba village in Kikwaya Sub county, Namiyengo said they have embarked on sensitizing the public to vacate wetlands so as to implement the presidential directive to have wetlands conserved.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to conserve the environment in order to prevent natural hazards and drought”. Namiyengo said.
President Museveni has severally issued a directive to wetlands encroachers across the country to vacate them.
Section 36 of the National Environment Act provides for the protection of the wetlands and prohibit reclamation and empowers authorities to demolish all structures that are put on or in a wetland.
According to the statistics, Uganda has lost 30% of its wetlands due to agriculture and settlement for the past 15 years.
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