'Build cheap houses for people to save wetlands'

Jul 13, 2016

Wakiso district is understood to be covered by 16% wetlands which are currently under threat

WAKISO - The senior environment officer in Wakiso district has urged government to establish cheap houses for Ugandans so that wetlands are saved from encroachers.

Esau Mpoza is concerned that encroachment on wetlands in the district is on the rise.

If the government comes up with housing plan involving the building of low-cost houses for low-income earners, then such areas can be saved, he said.

Mpoza was asked during a meeting why district authorities do not immediately evict encroachers. In response, he blamed the law for making the whole process detailed.

"Before an eviction is made there are things to be done and this includes marking the boundaries of the wetlands, sensitizing the people living there and the later giving them time to leave and this process cannot be done in a short time."

The district official appealed to government to ensure that all Ugandans are equal before the law - something he said is not the case today.

Esau Mpoza says encroachers will wipe away wetlands in Wakiso. (Credit: Job Nantakiika)


Wakiso district is understood to be covered by 16% wetlands which are currently under threat from a growing population and in turn human and economic activities.

The growth of Kampala city has led to the migration of many people to Wakiso, some of whom have encroached on the wetlands there, for instance in areas like Nateete and Kabojja.

Mpoza says the district is also short of environment staff which gives encroachers more confidence to settle in wetlands. So he is calling on the district to recruit more environment workers.

"There is a capacity gap in terms of man power. Town councils and sub-counties do not have environmental focal persons and this leads to lack of efficiency and effectiveness."

 Wakiso district administrative officer Dunstan Yiga Mukasa said the district determined to fight wetland encroachers and that this financial year they are planning to recruit more environment staff.

He called on residents to cooperate with district authorities to tackle the problem in order to preserve the environment.

Rebecca Ssabaganzi, the district's natural resources officer, said Wakiso has no budget for evictions. "Eviction is very expensive in terms of manpower needed to do this task which Wakiso does not put into consideration."

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