We shan't renew licences of wetland-based factories—ministry

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Wetlands are vital ecosystems where life flourishes, including human life. They serve as habitats and breeding grounds for many endangered and threatened species, and numerous endemic plants and animals thrive only in specific wetland areas.

Beyond the clean water and food that wetlands provide, they help protect against natural disasters by mitigating the impact of storm surges, floods and droughts. 

However, climate change, population growth, urbanisation and other unsustainable and non-eco-friendly human activities are threatening wetland survival. These threats are causing them to disappear at an alarming rate in Uganda, calling for their preservation.

Therefore, as a step in that direction, the water and environment ministry says all factories operating in wetlands will not be issued new licenses once the running ones expire.

Ministry director in charge of wetlands David Okurut says whereas they have progressed in the restoration of wetlands across the country, several factories are still operating in these wetlands. This, according to him, is hindering wetland restoration efforts.

Okurut, however, reveals that the ministry, together with that of lands, resolved not to renew the licences of these factories, and that once this happens, the factories will automatically be evacuated from the wetlands.

The commissioner made the revelation while addressing the media ahead of World Wetlands Day to be commemorated on February 2, 2025, in Rubirizi district. 

The day is aimed at raising global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and planet. Wetlands are important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, and freshwater availability, among others.

According to the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, the world theme for the day is: Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.

The secretariat says World Wetlands Day 2025 is of particular significance, as it shares the same theme with the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15) – scheduled for 23-31 July 2025 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. 

Every three years, representatives of the governments of each of the Contracting Parties meet to make decisions on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and to agree on a work programme for the next three years.