URN.Molta Alimwesiga, the Regional wetlands officer in the Ministry of Water and Environment asked him to halt all activities in the wetland with immediate effect and removed the soil already dumped in the wetland to allow the area to regenerate.
The Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Fort portal city council authorities, has stopped the Kyenjojo NRM chairperson, Sam Magezi from dumping soil in Karamaga wetland in Fortportal city central division. Magezi, who is a businessman in Fort portal city, was found dumping soil in the wetland with the intention of establishing a washing bay.
He told a team of officials from the water and environment ministry that he was only developing his space for commercial purposes and wasn’t aware that he was operating in a wetland. Asked whether he had an approved Environmental Impact Assessment-EIA report and the NEMA wetland user permit, Magezi said he didn’t have either.
Molta Alimwesiga, the Regional wetlands officer in the Ministry of Water and Environment asked him to halt all activities in the wetland with immediate effect and removed the soil already dumped in the wetland to allow the area to regenerate.
Exavious Sekanabo, the in charge of wetlands in the Environmental police protection unit said proof of land ownership is not a sole guarantee for wetland encroachment and the developer should either comply or be charged in accordance with the environmental conservation laws. He also backed the recent demolition of the structure erected by Philemon Asiimwe at the Edge of river Mpanga for failing to comply with the Environment laws.
Gladys Natugonza, the Fort portal city Environment Officer, said that the city authorities have continued with a campaign to sensitize residents and enforce environmental conservation laws to protect all wetlands in the city. She explained that despite issuing several notices to encroachers to stop their illegal activities, many of them have remained adamant.
On Thursday last week, Fort portal city authorities led by the town clerk Mr. Moses Otimong, and the Mayor, Asaba Edson Ruyonga led an operation against environmental degradation.
