By Edward Byamukama
Kagadi district forest and environmental conservation task force in conjunction with the office of the Resident District Officer (RDC) has embarked on a campaign to evict encroachers from Rwabituju Wetland that is under threat of depletion.
Rwabituju wetland is surrounded by the four villages of Nyankubebe A & B, Katikara, Kisaara B all in Nyamasa Parish, Bwikara Sub county.
According to the survey, the community members have encroached on the wetland and cultivated crops like onions, sugarcanes, beans and cabbages. Approximately 25 acres of Rwabituju wetland have been depleted.
The Kagadi RDC Lillian Ruteraho says her team will collaborate with the local council one chairpersons for the villages neighboring the swamp to get the names of the encroachers so that they are apprehended and charged.
Lillian Ruteraho on the Swamp rr
Relatedly, Benjamin Tumusiime, the Kagadi deputy Resident District commissioner reveals that 70% of the wetlands in the district have been depleted, also calling for the support of the leaders at all levels to restore the depleted wetlands.
Meanwhile, the Kagadi district senior environment officer Robert Byoona says the cases of encroachment on Rwabituju wetland and other swamps in the district have increased especially after covid-19 induced lock down.
He guides that any person wishing to carry out any activity in the wetland should write to NEMA for environmental impact assessment and clearance.
