By Johnson Kanyesige
Eight people have been arrested over alleged encroachment on River Kafu catchment area in Katereiga village, Butema parish Buhanika sub county Hoima district. The suspects are currently being detained at Kitoba police station.
The suspects who were brought from Masaka district are all workers of one Fred Mutebi who rented a piece of land at the river bank from Edward Rujogera who is said to be a resident of the same area.
Their arrest was ordered by the deputy Resident District Commissioner Hoima, Micheal Kyakashari during an impromptu visit at River Kafu and River Mwendangobe in a bid to implement the presidential directive of evicting people who are in swamps and rivers across the country.
During the visit, it was discovered that the occupants have planted a number of crops ranging from tomatoes, egg plants, red pepper, rice, maize among others. Kyakashari reveals this is in total regard of the principles of protecting wetlands.
Kyakashari notes that some of the land owners claim they secured land titles and wonders how officials from the ministry of lands processed titles to such people well knowing they are water catchment areas and wetlands.
He reveals the camps found near the river being used by the workers do not have latrines and suspects that they defecate from nearby bushes which end up contaminating the water from the river yet its used for domestic use by other people.
The deputy RDC blames the destruction of swamps and wetlands on the local council and community leaders who have allowed human activities in these areas under their watch and covering the suspects.
He notes that the LC chairpersons will also be prosecuted for disobeying the guidelines of protecting wetlands.
Harriet Birungi the Environment officer Hoima district reveals that they have held sensitization campaigns with the locals over a number of times on wetland land conservation but all in vain. She notes that they are now using force to ensure the guidelines are respected.
She notes that chemicals were being used by the farmers adjacent to the wetlands. She says these chemicals end up contaminating the waters being used by other residents.
