By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has thrown more light on why some establishments on Lubigi wetland, Nansana have not been demolished by the Restoration team.
Addressing the nation today, 24th June, 2024 at the Uganda Media Center, Kampala, Dr. A. Barirega the NEMA Executive Director says some of these infrastructure were established with due process of government approval, and removing them would result in liability to government.
Dr. A. Barirega singled out Starbex Petrol Station and depot in Lubigi wetland which he says obtained approvals in 2017.
“There are some other establishments with past approvals including some factories. These have been left until government takes a decision on such cases,” Dr. Barirega says.
He also says that the evicted persons can’t be compensated by government because ordinarily they are the ones supposed to compensate government adding that compensating wetland encroachers would be encouraging the illegality.
He also reveals that so far 214 households have been removed and 101 more households are due for removal to make a total of 315 that have been mapped and served households.
NEMA’s move is in line with its mandate to restore wetland cover which reduced from 15.6% in 1994 to only 8.9% in 2019 with a slight recovery with the latest assessment indicating that the intact wetland cover has improved to 9.3%.
The Lubigi wetland restoration follows others in Lwera Wetlands, Lurindo wetland in Rukungiri, Akadot wetlands in Kumi, Kanyabukanja wetland in Buhweju, Kole wetlands in Kole, Rwizi Wetlands in Mbarara, and Kitagata wetlands in Bushenyi.
He says that in order to prevent further loss of wetlands in Uganda, a decision was made to suspend approvals of developments in Wetlands effective 2nd September 2021 until further notice.
It is an offense under Section 55 of the National Environment Act, 2019 to encroach on wetlands. This is offense has a maximum sentence of 12 years in jail or UGX 600 million fine or both.
