President Museveni has asked leaders in the Great Lakes Region to protect the wetlands and forests in order to prevent desertification.The President said this while opening the African Water Congress at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, this week.

When a trading centre in Bududa was swept away by mudslides recently, we blamed it on the harsh climate changes, forgetting that human activity on the land had contributed to the earth's reaction.

We have failed to realise that co-existing with nature is the only way to guarantee security of our lives and property as evidenced in Bududa.

To achieve ecological balance and environmental protection will take the triumph of political commitment over demagoguery, as well as a good and logical balance between industrialisation and preservation of wetlands and forests.

Because of his stance on Namanve and Mabira forests vis a vis economic development, the President is often accused of promoting industrialisation at the expense of the environment.

However, his remarks at Munyonyo suggest that he is not oblivious to the dangers of replacing wetlands and forests with human settlements and industries. Now the President needs to back his words with some action.

His government needs to develop clear policies that will make industrialists learn to coexist with the environment.

For instance, the government is not yet decided on when to end the use of polythene bags (buveera) in Uganda. The Minister of Water and Environment, Maria Mutagamba, has been fuzzy on the exact date when the ban announced in last year's budget speech will be enforced.

The minister and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) don't seem to agree on the way forward. Among other policies, the government should consider rewarding innovative industrialists who use and produce bio-degradable materials. Likewise, there should be heavy fines for those who deliberately break environmental laws.

NEMA needs to be empowered to enforce existing laws that seek to promote good environmental practices without fear or favour. Time is now to take action and secure the world for ourselves and our children and grandchildren.