The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has defended the ongoing demolitions in the Lubigi wetland, which have resulted in the displacement of thousands of residents. NEMA, under significant scrutiny, insists that these actions are vital for preserving the Lubigi wetland system, a crucial water catchment for Kampala and neighboring districts.
In a recent statement, NEMA emphasized the importance of halting illegal activities that degrade the environment and endanger citizens’ lives. The Authority had previously issued restoration orders to encroachers in 2021, granting them a 21-day period to vacate the wetland, remove dumped materials, restore the degraded area, and demolish illegal structures.
The primary objective of this exercise is to remove illegal structures, gardens, and settlements that threaten the wetland and the city’s water catchment. On Monday, tensions escalated at the Lubigi wetland when Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, was prevented by police from inspecting the demolition aftermath.
The evictions, targeting residents alleged to be occupying the wetlands illegally, have sparked public outcry and accusations of unfair treatment. Ssenyonyi condemned NEMA’s actions as discriminatory, noting the differential treatment between local families and businesses operating in other protected wetlands. He suggested that certain commercial interests might be shielded by government connections.
As Ssenyonyi attempted to tour the demolition site to assess damage and engage with affected families, police intervened, leading to a standoff that culminated in a five-minute exchange and the deployment of tear gas to disperse the crowd. Ssenyonyi was eventually escorted to safety by parliamentary security amidst chaotic scenes.
This incident underscores broader tensions regarding land use policies and human rights in Uganda. Ssenyonyi linked the evictions to broader allegations of rights abuses and political targeting, referencing the recent abduction of lawmaker Paul Akamba shortly after being granted bail, suggesting a pattern of repression against opposition figures.
Additionally, families displaced by the evictions in Ganda-Nasere Village, Wakiso District, have appealed to the Buganda Kingdom for compensation. They claim that Buganda Kingdom officials misled them into settling in the protected wetland area and had collected annual ground rent (busuulu) from them. Simon Nyanzi, a leader among the evictees, vowed to seek justice and compensation from the Buganda Land Board, the kingdom’s property management arm.
NEMA’s crackdown on wetland encroachment in the Kampala Metropolitan area continues, with officials urging encroachers to vacate as per Section 36 of the National Environment Act, which restricts such land use. The agency warned that failure to protect wetlands like Lubigi could lead to severe water shortages in several districts within the Central Cattle Corridor.
After addressing the residents, Ssenyonyi’s attempt to tour the wreckage was swiftly blocked by police, leading to a heated exchange and the deployment of tear gas to disperse protesting residents. Ssenyonyi questioned the apparent selective enforcement, highlighting the untouched status of other wetlands occupied by factories possibly tied to government interests.
