By Flavia Ajok
Residents of Rubona Cell in Buliima Town Council, Masindi district have been warned against encroaching, cultivating in and degrading wetlands.
This was sounded by Olivia Nabukenya, the district environment officer during a sensitization meeting and launch of restoration of Musomo Wetland held at Rubona Trading Center on Thursday.
Nabukenya advised residents mostly those cultivating in wetlands to vacate them and carry out activities which are environmentally friendly like beekeeping, fish farming among others.
She noted that they are not intending to drive them away from the wetlands but to restore them for future generations.
Nabukenya said they plan to encourage the executive of Buliima Town Council to enact a by-law prohibiting degradation of wetlands.
She appealed to those cultivating in wetlands to vacate noting that they would face arrest and prosecuted in courts of law.
Ecika Yafesi, an officer working with Environmental Protection Police Unit Albertine Region told the residents that in case they find any cultivating in wetlands and forest reserves will not be spared.
Residents who attended the meeting welcomed the initiative pledging to vacate the wetlands and restore them.
Isaac Kasanga, the LC1 Chairperson for Rubona Village said that residents have tried to conserve the wetlands but they are being encroached and degraded intruders.
