NEMA and Kampala Leaders Agree on Lubigi Wetland Restoration Efforts
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) held a meeting with Kampala’s political leaders, led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, to discuss the ongoing restoration of the Lubigi Wetland System. The discussion resulted in several resolutions: local leaders will mobilize communities to vacate the wetlands peacefully, NEMA will verify compensation claims related to the Jinja Expressway and Lubigi Channel works, and collaboration with local governments and the Ministry of Water and Environment will be strengthened.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) on 24th June 2024 hosted the political leaders of Kampala led by Lord Mayor His Worship Erias Lukwago in a two-hour discussion about the ongoing restoration exercise of the Lubigi Wetland System.
The restoration exercise is being undertaken by Government with several institutions taking part, including the Ministry of Water and Environment, National Environment
Management Authority (NEMA) and Kampala Capital City Authority, supported by other agencies.
The Lord Mayor was in company of the Deputy Lord Mayor Her Worship Doreen Nyanjura, the Nakawa Division Mayor, and councilors from the divisions of the city. The District Police Commander CPS also attended the meeting.
NEMA and the political leaders cordially discussed several issues relating to the operations, and reached the following resolutions.
Resolutions
The meeting agreed that the current restoration exercise should go on, but
that: Local council leaders should mobilize their communities that have encroached on the wetlands to vacate peacefully
NEMA should formally write to KCCA and Uganda National Roads Authority to ascertain claims of people who allegedly are waiting for compensation from UNRA and KCCA over Jinja Expressway and Lubigi Channel works respectively
NEMA to work closely with local governments and the Ministry of Water and Environment in the ongoing restoration exercise
A Natural Resources and Environment Committee for KCCA be constituted by 15th July this year to help coordinate environment activities with NEMA
Anybody who has been served with a restoration order, and contests the order an appeal review system should be expedited to timely hear and resolve the petitions
NEMA calls upon all the people to remain calm and law-abiding during this exercise. Peaceful consultative meetings will be held between government and the affected persons to ensure that the exercise remains peaceful.
