Museveni backs NEMA on wetlands evictions
President Museveni has backed the National Environment Management Authority's ongoing evictions against encroachers in wetlands around the country.
Addressing the country on Saturday, the president said it is only foolhardy for people to destroy wetlands by encroaching on them.
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“Those claiming they were born in the encroached wetland areas should be aware that we have records tracing the history of forests and wetlands. We know what exactly happened and when,” Museveni said.
“Blaming NEMA on why it allowed people settle in the wetlands is fine but doesn’t exonerate the encroachers. Are you a Uganda or from Europe? It is the duty of everyone to protect the environment.”
Environment body, NEMA has for the past one month intensified operations against encroachers in wetlands .
Starting with Lubigi where several property, including houses were razed down, NEMA operations against wetland encroachers have extended to other parts of the country.
However, sections of the public have blamed NEMA for these evictions.
Speaking on Saturday, President Museveni insisted that NEMA is doing the right thing, noting that those asking for compensation should not waste time, as no one can be compensated for encroaching on wetlands.
"All the people in the wetlands, please leave peacefully. We cannot compensate you for breaking the law and not using common sense."
The president underscored the benefits of wetlands to Uganda, noting that destroying them could turn the country into a dry land.
“Wetlands are source of 40% of our rain and if you remove them, the whole of Uganda will be like Karamoja or worse. Where will the water come from if you have dried the wetlands? The water is from these wetlands. Swamps are also natural filters of water that goes into lakes. The swamp grasses are God made filters but now we are busy destroying them. We cant allow this.”
"You destroy the nearest wetland, you deny yourself water for irrigation . What sort of country is this? How can we accept this."
