Rukungiri Launches Three-Month Wetland Crackdown with Severe Penalties

Authorities in Rukungiri Municipality have launched an intensive three-month campaign aimed at reclaiming and restoring degraded wetlands within the region. The operation, which commenced at the Nyakibale Wetland, seeks to curb human activities that have led to the deterioration of these vital ecosystems.

Offenders found encroaching on protected wetland areas face severe consequences, including potential fines of up to Shs600 million, imprisonment for up to 12 years, or both. Laban Kushaba Katende, the Senior Environment Officer for Rukungiri Municipality, emphasized the critical role wetlands play in water conservation, climate resilience, and overall environmental sustainability.

“Wetlands are vital for water conservation, climate resilience and environmental sustainability. Anyone found encroaching on wetlands risks prosecution under the law,” Katende stated, underscoring the legal ramifications.

The crackdown, led by Deputy Resident District Commissioner Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom, involved municipal environmental officials, law enforcement, and other stakeholders. An immediate cessation of all cultivation within the Nyakibale Wetland was ordered, with authorities vowing zero tolerance for activities that harm protected natural resources.

Ongom highlighted that wetlands serve as crucial water catchment areas, essential for ensuring a consistent water supply for the municipality, particularly during dry spells. He extended warnings to institutions, including churches and schools, that own land encompassing wetlands, cautioning them against leasing these areas for activities like cultivation or excavation without proper governmental authorization.

This enforcement drive aligns with broader government efforts to uphold environmental laws, addressing years of significant wetland degradation across Uganda. Wetlands are indispensable for filtering water, mitigating floods, replenishing groundwater, and supporting biodiversity, yet many have been converted for agricultural and developmental purposes.

Local leaders have voiced support for the operation, pointing to landowners who lease out wetlands despite their protected status as a key factor in continued encroachment. They urge residents to abandon farming in wetlands and adopt sustainable livelihoods, emphasizing that environmental conservation is a collective responsibility vital for safeguarding Rukungiri’s water resources and promoting sustainable development.

Source: Nile Post