Newly appointed Minister for Water and Environment, Retired Major General Kahinda Otafiire, has pledged full support for ongoing efforts to remove illegal structures from Uganda’s wetlands.
Speaking during his first address at the ministry headquarters in Luzira, Otafiire urged officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to continue restoring wetlands without fear, stressing that these ecosystems play a critical role in filtering water and protecting the environment.
He attributed rising water treatment costs to the destruction and pollution of wetlands, noting that authorities have increasingly had to rely on water from Katosi due to contamination of traditional water sources.
Otafiire further argued that individuals who deliberately build in wetlands should accept the consequences of demolition, as part of efforts to enforce environmental regulations.
The minister also called for intensified restoration of Uganda’s forests, emphasizing their importance in climate regulation and long-term environmental sustainability.
By Our Reporter
12th June 2026
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