Robert Muhereza
31 August 2007
Kabale — DESPITE the many years of poor cultivation methods that have caused environmental degradation in Kigezi, there is hope that the area, once referred to as the Switzerland of Africa, will regain its glory.
But this can only come to pass if the plans the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has for the sub-region come to pass.
The Nema Executive Director, Dr Henry Aryamanya Mugisha recently ordered the residents of Muko and Kashambya sub-counties in Kabale District not to cultivate 30 metres from wetlands.
This, he argued, was to allow the water channels in the Nyamuriro swamp and Kashambya wetlands regain their original status.
"We shall not compromise the law just because the people claim they earn their livelihood by destroying the environment. We shall force them out; after all they are not frogs or crocodiles," Dr Mugisha said.
"We only encourage eco-friendly activities in wetlands such as bee keeping and fish farming among others."
He said Nema was planning to establish tree nursery beds in the district to supply tree seedlings free of charge to the local people for planting on the bare hilltops.
Dr Mugisha saidUrbanisation should not be used as a tool to destroy the environment and asked physical planners to be more vigilant.
"Once all these are done, we shall have the original Kigezi with its unique environmental set up, thus a better Uganda. There is hope that these reclaimed wetlands shall soon be restored," he said.
According to the District Environment Officer, Mr Paul Sabiiti, all the big wetlands in Kabale have been destroyed because of destructive agricultural activities. The wetlands include, South Kiruruma covering 16sqkms astride Katuna Road, the 9sqkms Kigyeyo and the 7.2sqkm Nyamuriro in Muko Sub-county.
Dr Mugisha said the only intact wetlands are Rushebeya (4sqkm) in Rwamucucu sub-county and Mugandu (13sqkm) in Rubaya sub-county.
"But I think we are on the right track to have the destroyed wetlands restored. We encourage wise use of wetlands. Residents should join hands with Nema to ensure that we have a good environment," Mr Sabiiti said.
The Rubaya Sub-county Farmers' Forum Chairman, Mr Robert Turyomurugyendo, said soil exhaustion on the hilltops forced the farmers into the wetlands.
He said by-laws have been enacted to deter the encroachers but enforcement has been weak because some local leaders have contrary interests.
"We have resorted to using organic manure on the exhausted soils on hills to restore the wetlands in the area," he said.
However, the residents who have been ordered off the wetlands say unless the government compensates them, they face famine. They say it is from the wetlands that they get food crops such as Irish potatoes for both domestic and commercial purposes.
The LC5 councillor for Kashambya sub-county Ms Mable Kiruhura says over 20,000 farmers earn a living from cultivating Irish potatoes in the wetland.
"Once they are kicked out without compensation, expect poverty and famine in my sub-county. Alternative measures of using the wetlands besides cultivation are good but they cannot meet the daily demands of a local resident," she argued.
Ms Kiruhura said all the Kashambya sub-county councillors boycotted the meeting with Dr Mugisha because they are afraid of associating with what she called anti-people resolutions.
"There is need for a better strategy. I suggest that Nema facilitates the growing of quality tree species on the bare hills and then leave us to use the wetlands," she said.
However, the chairperson of Kigezi Cooperation, Mr Gabriel Kangwagye, said leaders from the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu and Rukungiri signed an agreement in 2003 to ensure that the reclaimed wetlands in the region are restored.
"It's high time the leaders implemented what was endorsed. I support Nema but ask them to sympathise with the farmers. I will meet our MPs over this issue," he said.
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there is a problem in kabale.however much we want to keep a healthy enviroment by conserving ecosystems like wetlands and forests,the people have continously been claiming not to have land especially for cultivation.what if the government encouraged the cultivation of steep slopes with the help of better methods of farming for example use of organic manures,use of fertlizers and soil erosion control? why cant the government also promote eco tourism? "investigations reveal that over population in uganda is exerting pressure on natural resources"
there is a problem in kabale.however much we want to keep a healthy enviroment by conserving ecosystems like wetlands and forests,the people have continously been claiming not to have land especially for cultivation.what if the government encouraged the cultivation of steep slopes with the help of better methods of farming for example use of organic manures,use of fertlizers and soil erosion control? why cant the government also promote eco tourism? "investigations reveal that over population in uganda is exerting pressure on natural resources"