President Museveni warns to issue an executive order to protect wetlands

By Elizabeth Ankunda

09^th Oct 2023

President  Yoweri Museveni is to write an Executive order to demolish all structures erected with the wetlands and eviction all people still insisting to stay in the same protected areas .

He made the call while presiding over the Independence Day celebrations at kitgum farm institute in kitgum District today.

The wetlands in Mountains of the Rwenzori, the Elgon, the Kigyezi Mountains, the Agoro hills and the hills of Ssiingo, Kookyi, Buhweju-Bunyaruguru, Rwampara-Ruhaama, are among those areas were people and investors must vacate peacefully if not force will be applied.

Museveni says that Uganda needs to protect the environmental assets because they provide people with the three most primary life-savers; air, water and food.

According to Museveni,These environmental assets are responsible for the plentiful rainfall and water saying that as long as the rainfall is maintained and water supply, the country will be assured of food, irrigation and water for human use industrial and for other benefits.

He says those in the Bukedi-Busoga and Kigezi areas, will be assisted to shift from wetland rice-growing to either growing that rice by irrigation on the non-wetland land and do farming at the edges of the Wetlands, to allow the rest of the wetlands to rejuvenate.

At the same function Museveni has revealed that he got a report about cattle rustlers in Karamoja sub region which shows that the problem is being supported by some local leaders.

He incited some of leaders like the councilor of Agago who collaborated with soldiers and stole seven cattle which were restored by the UPDF and charged them plus the Lc5 chairman of Amudati who was used by his relatives to clear stolen cattle.

Now the president has promised to put more effort in fighting this problem and whoever is found will be put to book

The celebrations run under the theme; “Sustaining a united and progressive nation: taking charge of our future as a free nation”.

Museveni commissioned a tricycle motorbike called Bingwa from Kiira motors and Kitgum main market a newly build market to support local trade and investment.

Over 40 members received medals for their distinguished service in the country among them are serving and former ministers, police and army officers and civilians.

END