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OPINION

By Robert Kigongo

During this climate week the theme has been dedicated to ‘our land our future’ but it with a focus on biodiversity restoration and conservation.

As we redress biodiversity conservation, it’s very equally imperative to shed light on wetlands as the most critical in Biodiversity conservation and restoration in Kampala.

Wetlands are not only the Kidneys of the earth but equally serve as biodiversity hotspots, supporting a wealth varieties of micro organs plants and animal species.

For example, When visited Kyetinda wetland in Ggaba Kampala Capital City, I saw plenty of small fish, Tadpole and floplets.

Therefore, wetlands are the nurseries for fish, bleeding ground and habitats for numerous amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

If it’s the human body, consider wetlands as the Kidney, in case a kidney fails to function well, your health deteriorates to death, unless a transplant is done to save your life.

But the cost of a kidney transplant is too expensive, the same applies to wetlands restoration in terms affects Kampala revenue collections and national treasury.

‘Wetlands avert disasters, they are the kidneys of the earth, encroaching on wetlands is what is causing floods in Kampala, therefore Kampala Road repairs will not help with flooding if wetlands like Lubigi are not restored’

I have heavy endless pain of driving on terrible poor roads network with potholes of all sizes and shapes damaged by floods and overwhelmed drainage system.

The worst floods calamity came in 2020 where the country lost a life of younger lady in Nakawa a Kampala suburb in flooded drainage.

If it was not the degraded lubigi, Nakivubo wetlands among others such terrible environmental hazards could have been avoided because wetlands mitigate hazards, control floods and most importantly is water regulation.

The main cause of floods in Kampala is diverting natural water flow, wetland encroachment by urban poor and constructing permanent structures in wetlands and all sorts of environmental abuse by the regime rich apologists.

The worst degradation of wetlands is improperly non-degradable waste disposal and construction of permanent structures in Lubigi, Nakivubo among others.

Unfortunately, “Wetland encroachers ignore the economic aspects and negative impacts towards national resource purse and development.”

My duty as an environmental guard and citizen in this article is to illuminate you and share with you particularly at how wetland degradation economically affects the country towards attaining SDG 13,14, and mostly 11 Indicator targets and honoring the Ramsar convention agreement.

The economic impact of wetland degradation in Kampala is profound, affecting various sectors and exacerbating existing environmental challenges. 

One notable example is the encroachment and degradation of the Nakivubo Wetland.

Historically, this wetland served as a natural water filtration system, mitigating floods, and supporting biodiversity. 

However, unplanned urbanization and agricultural activities have led to its degradation, resulting in increased sedimentation and reduced water quality in Lake Victoria.

This has far-reaching economic consequences, including compromised water supply, increased treatment costs, and heightened vulnerability to waterborne diseases. 

Furthermore, the loss of wetland ecosystem services disrupts fisheries, agriculture, and tourism, impacting livelihoods and exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. 

Addressing wetland degradation in Kampala is not only an environmental imperative but a crucial economic necessity for the sustainable development of the region.

Implementing social-economic solutions for wetland restoration in Kampala involves harnessing the remedial potential of peat, a carbon-rich organic material. 

By promoting peatland restoration initiatives, the economic benefits are two-fold: first, the extraction and utilization of peat for sustainable energy production offer a renewable energy source, reducing dependency on non-renewable alternatives.

Second, the restoration of peatlands enhances ecological resilience by mitigating flood risks, improving water quality, and fostering biodiversity.

In Kampala, strategically incorporating peatland restoration into socio-economic policies can lead to job creation in the renewable energy sector, improved agricultural productivity, and strengthened ecotourism opportunities.

The synergistic approach of utilising peat for economic gain while concurrently restoring wetlands positions it as a viable and sustainable solution for Kampala's environmental and socio-economic well-being.

There is an urgency to intensify Lubigi restoration without fail or political interference as the leading swampy wetland on the northern and western outskirts of Kampala the gate way to the Pearl.

Uganda a signatory to the Ramsar Convention has environmental protection laws and entities.

However, these law enforcers of wetlands protection namely NEMA, KCCA, Water resources institute under Ministry of water and environment have all been inflated by rich people and the Politics of the Country.

“Never the less giving up is choosing disasters and extinction, I also wish to arrest the fears of the population that wetlands protection does not mean no wetland use but rather sustainable wetland land use’.

The people carrying out agriculture activities especially rice in wetlands should be resettled in the uplands and provided with irrigation systems to continue production or given other alternative ventures.

The urban poor who settled in wetlands should relocated to better affordable housing facilities.

The permanent structures dismantled and industries should be held accountable for improper non-degradable waste disposal in wetlands probably relocate them as a better upland.

Kampala capital city being the face value of the country, must urgently be financially supported in its efforts to ensure sustainable wetlands restoration and disaster mitigations.

Therefore, ensuring sustainable wetland use and biodiversity restoration will save the country from the economic burdens that come as price for wetlands degradation.

Robert Kigongo is a climate action crusader and a sustainable development analyst