Youth should leave villages to preserve the environment, minister says
Mr Rukutana ( R) front row with Christians at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda in Kajara county. Photo by Perez Rumanzi
NTUNGAMO- Uganda’s environment will not be adequately protected if the youth in rural areas who are exerting pressure on land and other resources for production, do not migrate to towns, the deputy Attorney General, Mr Mwesigwa Rukutana has said.
He says increased drought in the country is a result of many young people setting up gardens on every land available and wetlands.
“We want our wetlands restored. In developed countries, you will never find many young men [youths] in villages. You find them in towns with jobs in industries, with jobs they have created themselves and others employed in government, which leaves few to stay in villages,” Mr Rukutana said.
He was speaking during a church service at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda Parish Nkongoro in Kajara county Ntungamo District on Sunday.
“What has caused drought is people becoming many in villages, lacking food to eat and going to wetlands to grow crops there, that has brought drought,” he said.
He said people need to understand that the land they are holding does not belong to them but they are just keeping it for future generations.
Mr Rukutana donated Shs4 million towards the purchase of a car for the parish priest.
