Published on 17/06/2024
Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko has called on the government to compensate residents who have built homes in the Lubigi wetland instead of evicting them. He emphasized that these individuals have lived there for nearly a decade, during which time the government largely ignored their presence. Nsereko’s plea highlights the need for a more humane and fair approach to resolving the issue.
During a meeting between the Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) and officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Nsereko emphasized the need for a humane approach. He called for compensation, suggesting either land or monetary compensation of Shilling 20 – 30 million for those affected, to facilitate their relocation and preserve the wetland.
“I am trying to paint a picture of a mother who has just taken her children to school and returns to find her home demolished. For us, we are privileged in society, but where is our human face? We should consider compensating these people and cordon off the area to prevent further encroachment,” said Nsereko.
Nsereko compared the situation to the compensation of people who encroached on Lake Mburo game reserve. Despite their illegal occupation, they were compensated and given new land titles. He questioned why similar measures couldn’t be applied to the Lubigi wetland encroachers, especially when the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and other local authorities failed to act for years.
“Those people we evicted in Lubigi deserve a human face. You have seen them build in the wetland for ten years without intervention. We should investigate how they purchased the land and whether there are still titles in the wetland. People don’t deserve to stay in wetlands, but they also shouldn’t be treated inhumanely,” Nsereko argued.
The NEMA Act 2019 imposes strict penalties, including a fine of Shs600M or a 12-year jail term, for anyone who reclaims, drains, or erects structures in wetlands without written approval. However, KCCA Deputy Executive Director David Luyimbazi warned that Uganda must take swift action to protect its wetlands, citing the recent floods in Kenya that resulted from wetland degradation.
“The issue of encroachment on wetlands and drainage reserves is serious. In Kenya, the degradation of wetlands led to severe flooding, causing significant loss of life and displacement. If Uganda doesn’t protect its wetlands, we will face similar consequences,” Luyimbazi cautioned.
KCCA Director of Public Health and Environment, Daniel Okello, explained that KCCA has been working to sensitize residents since 2017 and has issued numerous restoration orders. He noted the challenges KCCA faces, including criticism from Parliament for both inaction and action, and suggested that Parliament allocate funds for compensation to facilitate humane evictions.
“We have been sensitizing people for years to leave the wetland areas. While we have been criticized for inaction, we are now acting to enforce restoration orders. However, we need Parliament’s support to allocate compensation funds for vulnerable residents,” said Okello.
Kashari South Constituency MP Nathan Itungo questioned KCCA’s oversight, asking why they allowed construction in the wetland. Okello responded that the evictions are a coordinated effort with NEMA, Wakiso District Authority, and the Office of the President. He emphasized that residents had been warned since 2017 about the illegality of building in the wetland.
According to the United Nations Development Programme – UNDP, 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost since 1970. Uganda’s wetland coverage has decreased from 30,000 km² in 2000 to around 22,500 km², a 25% loss in two decades. Minister of State for Environment Beatrice Anywar warned that if current degradation trends continue, Uganda could lose all its wetlands by 2040.
Minister Anywar stated that wetland coverage in Uganda dropped from 15.5% in 1994 to 8.9% by 2016, with further declines projected. Eastern Uganda has the most degraded wetlands at 46%, while Northern Uganda has the lowest degradation at 21%. District-wise, Mbale has the most degraded wetlands at 99%, while Ntoroko has the least at 98% intact.
