Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has condemned Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons who authorize and sign land agreements for plots located in protected wetlands, warning that such actions fuel illegal encroachment and environmental degradation.
Her remarks come as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) resumes eviction operations in the Lubigi Wetland at Kawala in Lubaga Division, Kampala, targeting illegal settlements established within the protected ecosystem.
The ongoing evictions have affected hundreds of households and small businesses, leaving many residents uncertain about their future.
Speaking during a visit to the area, Nabbanja said her mission was primarily humanitarian, aimed at assessing and documenting the impact of the evictions on affected residents. The Prime Minister visited more than 80 households, including both landlords and tenants, to establish the extent of the displacement and determine possible government interventions.
She stressed that wetlands are legally protected areas and cautioned local leaders against facilitating illegal land transactions in such zones.
Nabbanja noted that the government is currently evaluating the number of people affected by the exercise as authorities continue efforts to restore the degraded wetland ecosystem.
NEMA resumed operations in the Lubigi Wetland this month as part of a broader environmental restoration campaign aimed at reclaiming encroached wetlands and safeguarding critical water catchment areas.
However, some affected residents expressed dissatisfaction with the eviction process, arguing that they were not given sufficient notice before the enforcement exercise began.
Several residents appealed to the government to provide more time and consider their welfare before carrying out future evictions.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes amid growing debate over how to balance environmental conservation efforts with the welfare and livelihoods of communities living in protected areas.
Authorities maintain that restoring wetlands remains essential to mitigating flooding, protecting biodiversity, and preserving vital environmental resources for future generations.
By Charles Katabalwa
2nd June 2026
End