By Our Writer
The Executive Director of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA ) Barirega Akankwasah has reaffirmed his stand on evicting wetland encroachers as the authority extends eviction country wide.
“My humble appeal to Ugandans is to leave wetland peacefully to avoid confrontation by Nema officers during the process,” Akankwasah said while addressing journalists at Uganda Media Center.
Todate Nema has so far evicted 214 house hold leaving them homeless and another 101 slated for eviction.
This initiative is part of a broader, nationwide effort to reclaim and protect wetland areas from unlawful encroachment.
Akankwasah however decries low staff capacity and resources in monitoring and enforcing wetland protection.
Under Section 3 of the National Environment Act, 2019, every individual is mandated to enhance and protect the environment, highlighting the shared duty in preventing pollution and degradation.
Akankwasah emphasized that protecting the environment is not just a governmental duty but a crucial prerequisite for human survival and economic transformation.
“We cannot succeed as a human race if we destroy the environment. No amount of money will buy rainfall, pollinate crops, prevent disasters and epidemics, or create alternative air to breathe. Environmental protection is life itself. We either protect the environment or perish together.” Akankwasah noted.
Akankwasah says the world has witnessed a staggering 71% loss in wetland cover, with the rate of destruction outpacing even that of forest loss with Europe and North America leading the decline, followed closely by Asia, Oceania, and Africa.
According to Akankwasah In Uganda, wetland cover has dramatically reduced from 15.6% in 1994 to 8.9% in 2019.
In September 2, 2021 Nema suspended wetland developments but excluded critical public infrastructure projects, which must still adhere to rigorous Environmental and Social Impact Assessments.
“Efforts to restore Uganda’s degraded wetlands are ongoing, with notable projects including the Lubigi Ecosystem restoration and operations in various wetlands across the country, such as Lwera, Lurindo, Akadot, and others.” Akankwasah stressed.
Why Wetland Restoration Matters
Wetlands are indispensable to the hydrological cycle, contributing to rainfall formation and local climate regulation.
They serve as habitats for diverse species, many of which are endangered, and play a crucial role in filtering pollutants, controlling floods, and storing carbon.
The restoration of wetlands also supports groundwater recharge and prevents erosion, making them essential for both ecological balance and human wellbeing.
Restoring wetlands involves removing encroaching activities, often following the issuance of a Restoration Order under the National Environment Act of 2019.
Encroachers are given 21 days to vacate and restore the area, failing which the government may enforce removal and restoration at the encroacher’s expense.
This legal framework also includes penalties for wetland encroachment, with offenders facing up to 12 years in jail or fines up to Ushs 600 million.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is a semi-autonomous institution, established in May 1995, as the principal agency in Uganda, charged with the responsibility of coordinating, monitoring, regulating and supervising environmental management in the country.
NEMA spearheads the development of environmental policies, laws, regulations, standards and guidelines; and guides Government on sound environment management in Uganda.
In doing this, NEMA contributes to social-economic development and wise use of natural resources, focusing on providing support to Government’s main goal of ensuring sustainable development contributing to the National Vision, the National Development Plan (NDP), regional and global commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As a regulatory agency, the authority of NEMA is embedded in the National Environment Act No.5, 2019
