Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono wetland atlas out
Aug 26, 2015
Government has released an atlas showing 29 wetlands in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono.
By Andante Okanya and Agnes Nantambi
Government has released an atlas showing 29 wetlands in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono.
On Wednesday, the atlas was launched at the Serena Hotel, Kampala. The function was presided over by Water and Environment minister Ephraim Kamuntu, United Nations Under-Secretary General Achim Steiner, and the Food and Agricultural Organisation country representative Alhaji Momodou Jallow.
Steiner is also the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), while Jallow is also the UN resident coordinator in Uganda.
Kamuntu cautioned those occupying land in wetlands to leave, lest they be evicted. “All those who have encroached on wetlands should stand warned and start moving before you are moved out,” Kamuntu said.
Kampala has 9 wetlands, 12 for Wakiso, and 8 for Mukono.The comprehensive atlas for the rest of the country is expected to be complete by next month.
Preliminary results of plot overlays on wetlands show 7,500 land titles for Kampala, 9,000 Wakiso, and 950 for Mukono.
The trio also signed the Uganda-UNEP cooperation framework, and launched the programme for greening the economy through massive tree planting.
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Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu and the Under- Secretary General of the United Nations, Achim Steiner planting a tree at the National Forestry Authority compound
Kamuntu said in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040, government is cognisant that transformation will hinge on how wetlands are protected.
The atlas is aimed at raising awareness about the wetlands in the country and support the decision making processes, especially the April 2014 cabinet directive on cancellation of titles in wetlands.
“The gift by nature must be protected.This is not idle talk. People have simply filled murram in wetlands.The mindset of Ugandans must change,” Kamuntu said.
He lauded the collaboration with UNEP, describing it as a milestone destined for future benefits.
On the tree planting movement, the minister said it is a 10-year program designed to focus on addressing the challenges caused by the fast-disappearing forest cover.
Statistics from the ministry indicate that Uganda loses an estimated 90,000 hectares of forests annually.
It further indicates a gradual reduction in the national forest cover, from 45% in 1800 to 24% in 1900, and currently at 11% as of 2015.
The five main components of the programme are forestry plantation development, forestry industry development, community livelihoods improvement,natural forest management, and program support and coordination.
Jallow commended the atlas but cautioned that government’s commitment would be “depicted through demonstrable actions”.
Steiner rooted for Uganda to embrace the green economy, noting that the environment is a centre for livelihoods, with successful future economic development premised on current environment management.
“The planet now functions 24 hours a day unlike in the past when our ancestors used to go to bed at sunset,” Steiner said.
Also on Wednesday, Steiner planted a tree at the National Forestry Authority headquarters in the city suburb of Bugolobi, in commemoration of his visit.
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