By Our Reporter
NATIONAL;
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued restoration orders on Kajjansi wetland.
The restoration order requires the owners of the structures to voluntarily remove their structures or have them demolished with cost implications on them.
Working with the Department of Wetlands Management, Ministry of Water and Environment and relevant Local Governments the Executive director National Environment Management Authority Dr Barirega Akankwasah says the exercise is part of efforts to safeguard wetlands in Uganda.
During a joint inspection of Kajjansi wetland, teams comprising NEMA’s Environment Protection Force, the Environmental Protection Police Unit, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces on Sunday 31st May, 2026, stopped illegal constructions and arrests were made.
A criminal case file has been opened vide SD REF 04/31/05/2026, and investigations continue.
Speaking during the inspection, Dr. Barirega said the restoration exercise had been paused since last year to give people time to relocate but some people started returning in the restored areas.
He added that the law requires that NEMA issues a restoration order which requires the recipient to take action in 21 days either by appealing or by vacation of the wetland arguing that ignoring the instructions in the Restoration is an offence.
“NEMA remains impartial in its operations against degradation. Please note that protection of the environment is a collective responsibility,” says Barirega.
Citizens must be responsible enough to know that constructing in wetlands is not only illegal but destructive to the environment. This case already with us and procedures to halt the development in area and restore the ecosystem is already being undertaken.
