100 churches built in Kampala wetlands
OVER 100 churches in Kampala city and neighbouring districts are built in wetlands, environment watchdog NEMA has said.
By Gerald Tenywa
OVER 100 churches in Kampala city and neighbouring districts are built in wetlands, environment watchdog NEMA has said.
NEMA’s George Lubega said in an interview that a survey conducted recently found that the churches were mostly located in heavily-encroached parts of Kampala and Mukono.
He said the countrywide inventory of wetland encroachers was still taking place.
NEMA and the Wetlands Inspection Division on Friday organised a tour of the churches for some of the pastors from the new churches. They went to Prayer Tower in Kitintale, Kasanga Miracle Centre, True Vine Christian Centre and Christian Life Church in Mukono.
The previous day, they conducted an awareness meeting on laws on wetlands and noise pollution for pastors of evangelical churches in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso.
In Kitintale’s Prayer Tower, the interior of the church had flooded and the rain washed away the path to the church, making accessibility almost impossible.
The group encountered another church on the edges of Kinawataka swamp, which has been built on the road reserve, exposing worshippers to danger in case of car accidents. Its toilet is built above a community spring well, which NEMA officials suspect is being contaminated.
In Mukono’s virgin wetland, Christian Life Church has been erected without a toilet with many channels dug in its compound.
The toilets which the worshippers use in the neighbourhoods drain into the swamp, which has spring wells for the community.
Richard Kyambadde, the Lake Victoria Environment Management Project chief, said, “The biggest sin you can commit to a wetland is the lowering of the water table.’’
He said the stagnant water, which the groups had encountered during the tour, had become a breeding ground for disease-causing organisms that expose local communities to danger since they depend on spring wells.
Speaking during the closing ceremony at Sports View Complex, Kireka, Lubega said two of the churches that were issued with restoration orders were due for demolition next month. He said they were exposing the lives of the worshippers to grave danger, citing a church at Kalerwe that collapsed killing dozens.
However, the churches were recognised as important actors in social development as they also support social institutions like schools and provide health services on top of rehabilitating morals of society.
The church leaders urged environmental watchdogs to deal with encroachers since the churches went to the wetlands to rehabilitate people’s morals.
“It is not a case of witch-hunting because we are dealing with various groups of people, including lorry drivers and developers,†said Fred Kiwazi from the Wetlands Inspection Division.
“As leaders, we expect you to know the law,’’ said Kyambadde.
Ends
OVER 100 churches in Kampala city and neighbouring districts are built in wetlands, environment watchdog NEMA has said.
NEMA’s George Lubega said in an interview that a survey conducted recently found that the churches were mostly located in heavily-encroached parts of Kampala and Mukono.
He said the countrywide inventory of wetland encroachers was still taking place.
NEMA and the Wetlands Inspection Division on Friday organised a tour of the churches for some of the pastors from the new churches. They went to Prayer Tower in Kitintale, Kasanga Miracle Centre, True Vine Christian Centre and Christian Life Church in Mukono.
The previous day, they conducted an awareness meeting on laws on wetlands and noise pollution for pastors of evangelical churches in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso.
In Kitintale’s Prayer Tower, the interior of the church had flooded and the rain washed away the path to the church, making accessibility almost impossible.
The group encountered another church on the edges of Kinawataka swamp, which has been built on the road reserve, exposing worshippers to danger in case of car accidents. Its toilet is built above a community spring well, which NEMA officials suspect is being contaminated.
In Mukono’s virgin wetland, Christian Life Church has been erected without a toilet with many channels dug in its compound.
The toilets which the worshippers use in the neighbourhoods drain into the swamp, which has spring wells for the community.
Richard Kyambadde, the Lake Victoria Environment Management Project chief, said, “The biggest sin you can commit to a wetland is the lowering of the water table.’’
He said the stagnant water, which the groups had encountered during the tour, had become a breeding ground for disease-causing organisms that expose local communities to danger since they depend on spring wells.
Speaking during the closing ceremony at Sports View Complex, Kireka, Lubega said two of the churches that were issued with restoration orders were due for demolition next month. He said they were exposing the lives of the worshippers to grave danger, citing a church at Kalerwe that collapsed killing dozens.
However, the churches were recognised as important actors in social development as they also support social institutions like schools and provide health services on top of rehabilitating morals of society.
The church leaders urged environmental watchdogs to deal with encroachers since the churches went to the wetlands to rehabilitate people’s morals.
“It is not a case of witch-hunting because we are dealing with various groups of people, including lorry drivers and developers,†said Fred Kiwazi from the Wetlands Inspection Division.
“As leaders, we expect you to know the law,’’ said Kyambadde.
Ends