Farmers take over wetland
Aug 29, 2011
A wetland in Kabwohe/Itendero town council in Sheema district is being reclaimed by farmers who want to use it for agricultural production.
By Chris Mugasha
A wetland in Kabwohe/Itendero town council in Sheema district is being reclaimed by farmers who want to use it for agricultural production.
The wetland, which is the main source of water for the residents in the town, is along Kabwohe-Mbarara road, a few metres from the town council offices.
The offices that manage the system that supplies water to the town and surrounding areas are also near the degraded wetland.
The encroachers have already uprooted papyrus and are planting millet in its place, while in another part, they are setting up a tree nursery bed.
Part of the wetland was gazetted by the town council as a dumping ground for organic wastes generated from the market in the town.
David Betega, the Itendero town clerk, said he was not aware of the activities going on in the wetland.
Gilbert Kansiime, the town physical planner, said the degraded wetland was a tributary of River Rwizi.
Water levels in River Rwizi have recently decreased tremendously and may affect water supply, he said
A wetland in Kabwohe/Itendero town council in Sheema district is being reclaimed by farmers who want to use it for agricultural production.
The wetland, which is the main source of water for the residents in the town, is along Kabwohe-Mbarara road, a few metres from the town council offices.
The offices that manage the system that supplies water to the town and surrounding areas are also near the degraded wetland.
The encroachers have already uprooted papyrus and are planting millet in its place, while in another part, they are setting up a tree nursery bed.
Part of the wetland was gazetted by the town council as a dumping ground for organic wastes generated from the market in the town.
David Betega, the Itendero town clerk, said he was not aware of the activities going on in the wetland.
Gilbert Kansiime, the town physical planner, said the degraded wetland was a tributary of River Rwizi.
Water levels in River Rwizi have recently decreased tremendously and may affect water supply, he said