The Kisoro District Chief Administrative officer Hajji Badru Mayanja has put his foot down declaring war against any civil servant or politician who misleads the public about using wetlands for their personal gain.
Mayanja sounded the warning earlier this week while meeting various stakeholders at the Kisoro district council including Officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment.
As part of an on-going orientation program in 24 districts across the country, Communities in Eastern and South western Uganda are being sensitized on the importance of wetland restoration and sustainably managing them, factoring in climate change concerns.
According to Mayanja, some people in the region have misquoted President Yoweri Museveni, saying that due to the limited land caused by the hilly terrain and high population among families in Kigezi region, people are free to use Swamps and other wetlands for cultivation.
Mayanja cautioned Civil servants and other Politicians to desist from spreading falsehoods that it is okay to cultivate in wetlands.
He warned all civil servants especially Sub County chiefs that they stand high chances of losing their jobs if found guilty of misinforming communities.
The Kisoro district Vice chairperson Nambajimana Alex said Political leaders are willing to save the existing wetlands adding that the public is cooperating except a few rotten apples
Nambajimana thanked the people of Kisoro district for vacating the wetlands and seeking other sources of livelihood in order to save the environment.
Ministry of Water and Environment representative Businge Daniel said deliberate Government efforts since 2017 have seen over 24 million US dollars invested in the restoration and conservation of wetlands in Kigezi region.
Businge said some land owners have proven defiant to Government’s call however the laws of the land will apply to all Ugandans who refuse to listen to Government and continue to cultivate in wetlands.
Several land owners expressed mixed reactions about Government’s decision but agreed to conserve the wetlands that have been Kisoro district’s food source, especially sweet potatoes, maize and other delicacies.
Areas of Nyundo, Kirundo, Nyakinama and Nyakabande Sub counties are most affected with people largely dependent on wetlands.
With the current global crisis of climate change, the fight to save nature has been boasted with hopes that Kisoro district will be spared the disastrous effects of rising temperatures, floods, famine like is being experienced in other parts of the country and in the world.
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