Police have stated that NEMA's ongoing eviction exercises are legitimate and will provide protection to the equipment and personnel involved throughout the country.

This was revealed by police spokesperson Fred Enanga, who also cautioned a group of politicians who purportedly intend to politicise the exercise.

According to Enanga, the law enforcement body has received reports of some politicians who want to express their dissatisfaction of the ongoing eviction of encroachers in Lubigi wetland by staging demonstrations in Kampala.

"We have intelligence reports that some Members of Parliament are planning to carry out protests and demonstrations in the manner in which NEMA is carrying out the restoration exercise but of course such unlawful protests are illegal. NEMA is doing a lawful exercise," he said.

Last week, police clashed with some opposition members of parliament who had gone to Lubigi purportedly to stop the ongoing eviction exercise.

"Whoever has issues with NEMA should get in touch with them and they will be guided through. On our side we shall continue to offer protection to the equipment and staff who are carrying out this exercise," he added.

This security pledge comes high on heels following NEMA's announcement of country wide operations in which residents of wetlands have been advised to evacuate to avoid inconveniences when from the enforcement teams.

In Lubigi, NEMA has so far destroyed a total of 214 households and 101 more households are due for removal to make a total of 315 mapped and served households.

In regards to compensations, the Executive Director of NEMA Barirega Akankwasah said that ordinarily the evicted encroachers are supposed to compensate government for the cost of restoration in line with Section 133 of the National Environment Act, 2019.

"Government cannot therefore compensate encroachers as this would not only invite more encroachments but also would be a tacit approval of illegality," he said.