The Ugandan government has escalated its eviction efforts to reclaim wetlands that have been encroached upon across the country, aiming to restore damaged ecosystems, according to a senior official. Wilberforce Wanyama, a senior wetlands officer at the Ministry of Water and Environment, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the Nambigirwa Wetland, specifically targeting illegal settlements in the area.
During an eviction operation on Monday in Mpala village, Katabi Town Council, Wanyama explained that the goal was to ecologically restore the affected sections of the wetland, where about 13 houses had been built. "We are focused on restoring this section of Nambigirwa Wetland. The affected residents had been given a 21-day notice to vacate voluntarily, and by the time we arrived, most had already removed their belongings," he said.
The eviction was carried out in collaboration with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), and the police. Wanyama made it clear that the operation only targeted those who had settled directly on the wetland. People living on the wetland's boundaries were not affected.
"We are specifically targeting those who have encroached on the wetland. Residents living outside the wetland boundaries were not part of this operation," Wanyama clarified, urging the remaining residents to avoid further encroachment. He noted that human activity had already impacted about 40 percent of the wetland, and the government plans to restore it to its natural state by the end of the next financial year.
Despite the government's efforts, some evicted residents voiced frustration over the lack of compensation or relocation plans. James Masereka, one of the affected individuals, expressed his dismay: "I didn’t know I had bought land in a wetland. If I had known, I wouldn't have invested my money here. I tried to meet with NEMA's executive director, but they denied me access."
The government's increased focus on wetland protection is driven by the need to safeguard these vital ecosystems, which are crucial for water purification, flood control, and biodiversity conservation. However, the enforcement of such policies has led to tensions, as many affected individuals claim they were misled when purchasing land in protected areas. As the government continues its restoration efforts, the challenge remains to balance environmental protection with the needs and livelihoods of the affected communities.
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