URN.Lwajjali Wetland is shared by the sub-counties of Kikyusa, Zirobwe, Bamunanika, Kamira, and Kalagala. Others are Busiika and Kamira town councils in Luwero district. It also borders Mukono district.
The restoration of Lwajjali wetland in Luwero District is taking a slow pace as leaders and the Ministry of Water and Environment remain divided on the eviction of 10,000 people.
Lwajjali Wetland is shared by the sub-counties of Kikyusa, Zirobwe, Bamunanika, Kamira, and Kalagala. Others are Busiika and Kamira town councils in Luwero district. It also borders Mukono district.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-1885173889378683&output=html&h=345&adk=1590975256&adf=1765694914&pi=t.aa~a.3933768198~i.3~rp.1&w=414&lmt=1659702025&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=9833304535&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=414×345&url=https%3A%2F%2Fugandaradionetwork.net%2Fstory%2Fluwero-district-leaders-ministry-of-environment-divided-over-eviction-of-lwajjali-wetland-encroachers-&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=320&rw=384&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1659702025952&bpp=3&bdt=8302&idt=-M&shv=r20220803&mjsv=m202208020101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Db0fdfd1e8def68a2-22f63fcfe2cd0047%3AT%3D1659503896%3ART%3D1659503896%3AS%3DALNI_MamGveJGlvmPjUnMOskOpQUe9pIPw&prev_fmts=384×1417%2C414x345%2C414x345%2C414x345%2C0x0&nras=3&correlator=3351130891132&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=394590582.1657529785&ga_sid=1659702019&ga_hid=721583158&ga_fc=1&u_tz=180&u_his=2&u_h=896&u_w=414&u_ah=896&u_aw=414&u_cd=32&u_sd=2&adx=0&ady=1678&biw=414&bih=715&scr_x=0&scr_y=325&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31068774%2C42531605&oid=2&pvsid=3246593169059640&tmod=1538200848&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fugandaradionetwork.net%2Fa%2Farchive.php%3FstatusId%3D4%26message%5B%5D%3D5&eae=0&fc=384&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C414%2C0%2C414%2C896%2C414%2C829&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=6&uci=a!6&btvi=4&fsb=1&xpc=IGMSN8Tejl&p=https%3A//ugandaradionetwork.net&dtd=11
But an estimated 10,000 people have encroached on it and are largely involved in growing crops and few others have constructed permanent structures near the wetland.
Last year, the Luwero District Environment Office ordered all encroachers on the wetland and its tributaries to leave to pave way for their restoration.
The order was backed by LCV Chairman Erastus Kibirango who said that encroachers were also at risk of flash floods citing 2018 when the wetland burst its banks due to heavy rains and cut off transport. Scores of the residents were also injured and acres of food crops were also destroyed in the floods.
Christine Nakabugo and Derrick Lukanga Kibirango the District Councilors for Kikyusa sub county say that although they support the restoration efforts, they are against the eviction of encroachers who are engaged in growing seasonal crops.
Lukanga says that they want the Ministry of Environment and district to sensitize farmers on how they can grow their crops in an environment-friendly manner within the wetland.
But Sperito Kiroli, the LCIII Chairperson of Zirobwe sub-county, and Nulu Kijjambu, the LCIII Chairperson of Kikyusa Sub County want eviction of encroachers done immediately.
Kiroli says the encroachers and nearby communities are at risk of flash floods.
On Thursday, the officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment met with leaders of areas surrounded by the wetland and agreed to conduct a rapid assessment and demarcation, sensitize encroachers, and eviction, and restore the wetland.
Scovia Kayonga the Luwero District Environment Officer says that they resolved to first engage the local leaders and thereafter the encroachers before they embark on the eviction.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-1885173889378683&output=html&h=345&adk=1590975256&adf=632730127&pi=t.aa~a.3933768198~i.42~rp.1&w=414&lmt=1659702025&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=9833304535&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=414×345&url=https%3A%2F%2Fugandaradionetwork.net%2Fstory%2Fluwero-district-leaders-ministry-of-environment-divided-over-eviction-of-lwajjali-wetland-encroachers-&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=320&rw=384&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1659702025952&bpp=2&bdt=8302&idt=-M&shv=r20220803&mjsv=m202208020101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Db0fdfd1e8def68a2-22f63fcfe2cd0047%3AT%3D1659503896%3ART%3D1659503896%3AS%3DALNI_MamGveJGlvmPjUnMOskOpQUe9pIPw&prev_fmts=384×1417%2C414x345%2C414x345%2C414x345%2C0x0%2C414x345&nras=4&correlator=3351130891132&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=394590582.1657529785&ga_sid=1659702019&ga_hid=721583158&ga_fc=1&u_tz=180&u_his=2&u_h=896&u_w=414&u_ah=896&u_aw=414&u_cd=32&u_sd=2&adx=0&ady=3367&biw=414&bih=715&scr_x=0&scr_y=325&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31068774%2C42531605&oid=2&pvsid=3246593169059640&tmod=1538200848&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fugandaradionetwork.net%2Fa%2Farchive.php%3FstatusId%3D4%26message%5B%5D%3D5&eae=0&fc=384&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C414%2C0%2C414%2C896%2C414%2C829&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=7&uci=a!7&btvi=5&fsb=1&xpc=UUPThEE1ju&p=https%3A//ugandaradionetwork.net&dtd=15
Lydia Kyotalimye an officer at the Wetlands Management Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment says that they resolved to follow legal steps before they implement the restoration plan so that the affected people have no excuse when asked to vacate.
The Wetlands Management Department however didn’t commit to the timeline of implementing the plan saying it will depend on the availability of funds.
President Museveni has repeatedly ordered all encroachers out of wetlands across the country with immediate effect in vain.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-1885173889378683&output=html&h=345&adk=1590975256&adf=1543980850&pi=t.aa~a.3933768198~i.67~rp.1&w=414&lmt=1659702025&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=9833304535&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=414×345&url=https%3A%2F%2Fugandaradionetwork.net%2Fstory%2Fluwero-district-leaders-ministry-of-environment-divided-over-eviction-of-lwajjali-wetland-encroachers-&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=320&rw=384&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1659702025952&bpp=2&bdt=8302&idt=2&shv=r20220803&mjsv=m202208020101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Db0fdfd1e8def68a2-22f63fcfe2cd0047%3AT%3D1659503896%3ART%3D1659503896%3AS%3DALNI_MamGveJGlvmPjUnMOskOpQUe9pIPw&prev_fmts=384×1417%2C414x345%2C414x345%2C414x345%2C0x0%2C414x345%2C414x345&nras=5&correlator=3351130891132&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=394590582.1657529785&ga_sid=1659702019&ga_hid=721583158&ga_fc=1&u_tz=180&u_his=2&u_h=896&u_w=414&u_ah=896&u_aw=414&u_cd=32&u_sd=2&adx=0&ady=4336&biw=414&bih=715&scr_x=0&scr_y=325&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31068774%2C42531605&oid=2&pvsid=3246593169059640&tmod=1538200848&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fugandaradionetwork.net%2Fa%2Farchive.php%3FstatusId%3D4%26message%5B%5D%3D5&eae=0&fc=384&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C414%2C0%2C414%2C896%2C414%2C829&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=8&uci=a!8&btvi=6&fsb=1&xpc=HSJq2fg0cn&p=https%3A//ugandaradionetwork.net&dtd=17
On Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said that the government will next week release fresh directives against encroachers in awake of Mbale city floods which left scores dead.
