RDC warns wetland encroachers in Wakiso

Wakiso Resident District Commissioner Ian Kyeyune has warned wetland encroachers in the district to vacate before being forced out by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Police.

Kyeyune who was on Monday attending a village meeting to settle land dispute between Mr. Christopher Ssekirembwe and some land brokers in Kabuuma zone a suburb in Masajja Division, said that it was an offence to encroach on a wetland.

According to Kyeyune, the number of encroachers on wetlands in many areas in Wakiso district is increasing every day. Kyeyune said it was unfortunate that some of the encroachers have been assisted by some local leaders. 

"Let us respect our wetlands, all those who are occupying the swamps should think twice and get out before you are forced to do so," Kyeyune said.

Kyeyune blamed the widespread swamp occupancy in the district on some local leaders who claim to be the rightful owners of these swamps and they use their positions to sell off the wetland.

He also called upon all land brokers in the district to register with his office before they transact any business in the area. According to Kyeyune, a number of land brokers have been reported in land grabbing in the district.

"I'm receiving so many complaints against these people, so let each of them register with my office," Kyeyune said.

Kyeyune also visited Mr.Christopher Ssekirembwe's piece of land in Kabuuma trading center which is alleged to have been grabbed by some land brokers and ordered Police for the arrest of the brokers.

Around 2015, the lawmakers rejected President Museveni's orders on the reclamation of wetlands, claiming politics in the planned cancellation of more than 15,000 title deeds issued to investors and organizations in major urban areas across the country.
 

The government position on wetland ran into trouble after then, Minister of Water and Environment Ephrahim Kamuntu presented a map showing over 17,000 wetland titles in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts which were up for cancellation but up to date the government has not yet implemented it.