Plans for wetland boundaries finalised

According to the authorities, any structures within the demarcated areas will be demolished

Plans to restore and manage wetlands in Kampala have been finalised by the government to determine the wetland boundary line and current threats to the wetlands in the country.

A team of wetland officers from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority and Buganda Kingdom have started a process to assess the level of degradation of low lying areas currently stressed due to the conversions that hinder the ability of wetlands to regulate floods.

They carried out a comprehensive inspection and assessment of the activities within the wetlands and in the wetland buffer zones of Kyetinda and Kansanga in Makindye Division.

Sensitisation
Mr Paul Mafabi, the commissioner Wetlands Management Department, said an inventory of the various structures and stakeholders is being conducted through an exercise to mobilise community members and guide the team on the administrative zones within the wetlands.

“Our purpose is to define boundaries for developers to know where to stop because there is a policy and the law governing wetland utilisation. But developers should also know that even if they are destroyed, wetlands still find their way,” he added.

According to Mr Mafabi, following the assessment of the wetlands, the boundary marking exercise will continue, followed by the wetland management planning process under which the management options for Kyetinda and Kansanga will be agreed upon among the stakeholders and communities.

ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com