Obbo says that a number of land title are in areas which are targeted for several government projects including the awaited multi billion Bukasa Inland Port among others. He says that all people occupying the land whose titles have been canceled will not be compensated when the said projects kick off since they are illegally occupying the land in question.
In November, the Ministry of Water and Environment ordered all residents who constructed houses in the wetland to demolish the structures and halt any other human activity. However, it sparked off disagreements between the ministry and the residents.
According to Rwenzori Region police spokesperson, Lydia Tumushabe, the case of wetland degradation was reported to the police last week by Daniel Businge, the National Environment Management Authority Nema Wetlands coordinator in Western Uganda. Tumushabe says that Muganzi and Muhumuza are accused of encroaching on Mugunu wetland in West Division, while Ruyonga is accused of constructing a house in Karamaga Wetland in East Division.
Entebbe Police Environment officer Geoffrey Odong says more than 17 structures that were constructed in buffer zones without NEMA permits have been affected by the increasing water levels of Lake Victoria.
Parliament has passed the National Enviroment Bill 2017, banning single use carrier bags below 30 microns and a penalty of 100,000 5 currency points for littering by individuals.
Also, it has been established NEMA early last year halted all activities that were taking place in the area. However, none of the people ordered to stop human activities on the land have since refused.
Namulindwa says government lost the battle against wetland degradation, saying what remains is to help the encroachers to utilize them sustainably without causing more harm. She also asks government to plan for the rising population, which is piling pressure on the available land for cultivation.
The Katabi Town Council Chairperson, Ronald Gavins Kalema, says all developments that are in a 200-meter buffer zone must have environmental impact assessments from the National Environment Management Authority NEMA, which most developers dont have.
According to the district environment officer Anthony Kalyegira, the massive encroachment on the wetlands is as a result of high population pressure and inadequate funds for enforcement.
Isaac Kawonawo, the Kyenjojo Deputy Resident District Commissioner, says the operation is in line with a presidential directive to NEMA to restore all wetlands across the country.
Among the guidelines, the farmers must obtain licenses before growing rice on any island within the District and, all rice growers must have secured land not within forest reserves and the buffer zones.
Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority-NEMA observes that massive investments in real estate, power dams at Karuma and Isimba as well as ongoing and pending road works, among others, have led to roaring trade in sand and increased interest in sand mining than before.
For six years, Olwoch had failed to utilize the land in question. Products from his farmland had also been rejected by the community under the belief that they could be toxic. In 2014 Olwoch planted 1 acre of Cassava which all went to waste when residents rejected it saying it was contaminated with harmful waste.
The company is allegedly crashing stones and releasing emissions into the air, an activity that is putting the health of the Mukono residents in danger.
Under the arrangement that will start in April this year, the supermarkets, hotels and restaurants will establish collection centers for plastics from which NEMA will collect all dropped materials for recycling.
“This is an important milestone not only for Total E&P Uganda, but also for its joint venture partners CNOOC and Tullow because the FDP approval will lead to the next stage in the oil and gas cycle, the development stage and ultimately to production,†read the statement.
The success of the Collaborative Forestry Management by communities living near Itwara Central Forest Reserve is being attributed to the community\'s knowledge about the programme. There has been reduction in tree cutting for timber and encroachment of the forest reserve.
