UGX 4B required by NEMA to gazette &demarcate wetlands.

In Summary
  • Launch of the dissemination of the National Environment act by NEMA.
  • NEMA's move is backed up by a presidential directive to have wetlands recovered and restored.
NEMA'S Executive director Dr Akankwasa Barirega speaking at the Launch of the dissemination of the National Environment act.
NEMA'S Executive director Dr Akankwasa Barirega speaking at the Launch of the dissemination of the National Environment act.
Image: NEMA

The Government through the National Environment management Authority has started the process of gazetting all wetlands in Uganda.

The process follows the mapping exercise of primary,secondary and tertiary wetlands. The Environment watchdog has stepped up campaigns  asking all members of the public operating and holding developments in wetlands to vacate and relocate the developments to safer areas.

Following the Launch of the dissemination of the National Environment Act by the National Environment Management Authority,

NEMA's Executive Director Dr. Akankwasa Barirega says they now need four billion shillings to pay to the Uganda printing and  publishing company for printing and publishing the act  for full scale demarcation to proceed.

Naomi Karenkaho-Corporate Communications Manager (NEMA).
Naomi Karenkaho-Corporate Communications Manager (NEMA).
Image: NEMA

The Launch of the dissemination of the National Environment Act by NEMA is to repeal, replace and reform the law relating to environmental management in Uganda.

Speaking to RDCs, LC5s, CAOs & environment officers from the districts of Masindi, Hoima, Nwoya, Bulisa & Pakwach,Mr Akankwasa says section 2 of the 2019 act requirs that wetlands be gazzeted there by sending early warnings for encroachers to voluntarily leave the wetlands.

Local leaders and other stake holders who attended the Launch of the dissemination of the National Environment act.
Local leaders and other stake holders who attended the Launch of the dissemination of the National Environment act.
Image: Moses Kidandi-Capital FM

NEMA's move is backed up by a presidential directive to have wetlands recovered and restored so as to maintain them as  catchment areas.However the environment watchdog is facing challenges where many individuals are possessing land titles in wetlands.

The Environment act being disseminated provides for the management of the environment for sustainable development to continue the National Environment Management Authority as a coordinating, monitoring, regulatory and supervisory body for environment related activities in Uganda.

NEMA has stepped up sensitization to encourage self regulation on land use and protection of wetlands as enshrined in the national environment act.The dissemination exercise Held at Kabalega Resort Masindi was conducted in partnership with  wildlife conservation society.