MUBENDE — Police in Mubende District have arrested 12 people for allegedly encroaching on and cultivating wetlands during a two-day enforcement operation aimed at protecting fragile ecosystems from human activities.
The operation was led by Kassambya Constituency Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Andrew Solomon Musiindi in collaboration with the police and other government agencies.
The crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts by the government to implement President Museveni's directive ordering an end to cultivation and other human activities in wetlands across the country.
Officials conducted inspections across several wetlands in Kassambya Constituency, arresting individuals found carrying out farming activities in protected areas.
Speaking during the operation, Musiindi warned that authorities would continue taking action against anyone found violating environmental protection laws.
“Anyone found cultivating or carrying out activities in wetlands will be arrested and prosecuted. Wetlands are protected ecosystems, and we must preserve them for future generations,” Musiindi said.
Among those arrested was the chairperson of Namungo Village in Kassambya Sub-county, who residents accused of participating in the illegal cultivation of wetlands.
Residents alleged that the local leader had been involved in activities he was expected to prevent as part of his leadership responsibilities.
The chairperson, identified as Fred Kato, was arrested after officials said they found evidence linking him to cultivation within the protected wetland area.
“I have not intentionally violated the law, but I am ready to cooperate with authorities as investigations continue,” Kato said.
Musiindi said the operation is intended to restore degraded wetlands and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
“These operations will continue across the district. On the first day, we arrested four people, and today we have arrested eight more. We are determined to ensure all wetlands are protected,” he said.
Mubende District Natural Resources Officer Ronald Loteti said authorities have repeatedly sensitised communities about the importance of conserving wetlands and the legal consequences of encroachment.
“We have been educating communities about the importance of wetlands and warning them that those who continue to encroach on them risk arrest and prosecution,” Loteti said.
Some residents, however, appealed to government officials to provide alternative livelihood options, arguing that many families have historically depended on wetland cultivation for income and food security.
“We ask government to guide us on alternative sources of livelihood because many families have depended on these wetlands for survival,” some residents said.
Mubende District has a significant number of wetlands that play a critical role in water conservation, flood control and environmental sustainability. Authorities say enforcement operations will continue as part of broader efforts to restore degraded wetlands and protect natural resources.
