President Museveni Declares 2024 As the Year of Wetlands for Life
President Museveni declares 2024 as the “Year of Wetlands for Life,” emphasizing individual and collective efforts to protect Uganda’s wetlands. The President outlined government interventions and urges leaders and citizens to actively participate in wetland preservation.
President Yoweri Museveni has emphasized the importance of individual contributions in safeguarding wetlands across Uganda. While acknowledging the Ministry of Water and Environment’s commendable efforts, President Museveni stressed that the responsibility to protect and conserve wetlands lies with every Ugandan, from grassroots to leadership levels. This call was made during the national World Wetland Day celebrations in Gulu City on February 2, 2024, with the message delivered by the General Duties Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba.
President Museveni’s address centred on the theme “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,” highlighting the vital role wetlands play in the ecosystem, providing water, managing waste, and offering land for cultivation. Despite recognizing the need for agricultural use of surrounding arable land, the President cautioned against detrimental practices such as filling, draining, encroachment, and unregulated activities that compromise wetland health.
The President disclosed various government initiatives, including the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifestos, Parish Development Model (PDM), National Development Plan (NDPL) III, National Environment Act 2019, and Presidential directives, as interventions to preserve wetlands. He urged all leaders, including local councillors, to actively engage in wetland protection and encouraged personal commitment from all Ugandans.
Justine Kasule Lumumba echoed the President’s sentiments, urging those purchasing large land portions to refrain from fencing off wetlands for personal use, particularly for providing water to animals.
The event also marked the launch of the “Uganda Gazette on Wetlands” by the Ministry of Water, aimed at expediting follow-up and monitoring of all wetlands in the country. Stephen David Mugabi, Commissioner on Environment Affairs, emphasized its role in informing the public about wetland status and relevant information.
In a local perspective, Gulu City Environment Officer Joyce Aryemo Latigo highlighted the need for wetland conservation in the face of increasing population influx, causing encroachment for settlement, farming, and recreational activities. Environmental activist George Obwola Ebola seized the occasion as an opportunity to advocate for the restoration of the natural state of wetlands.
