Lubigi Evicted Encroachers Should Compensate Government - NEMA ED. Barirega

The Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority [NEMA] Dr. Barirega Akankwasah has revealed that the government of Uganda has no intention to compensate evicted wetland encroachers, especially those in Lubigi but instead, the government through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution is considering whether these people should prosecuted and compensated by the government.

Addressing media in Kampala, Monday 24th June 2024, NEMA ED Dr Barirega noted 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.

The government cannot therefore compensate encroachers as this would not only invite more encroachments but also would be a tacit approval of illegality.Dr. Barirega noted.

''In Uganda, wetland cover reduced from 15.6% in 1994 to only 8.9% in 2019 and we are beginning to see a slight recovery with the latest assessment indicating that the intact wetland cover has slightly improved to 9.3% and the World has lost 71% of its wetland cover since 1900 & 87% since 1700. All continents of the World have lost their wetland cover significantly with Europe at 56.3% and North America at 56% leading the carnage, followed by Asia 45.1%, Oceania 44.3% & Africa at 43%''.He said.

He refuted claims by some of the residents evicted from Lubigi wetland that they were evicted without being notified on the operations by NEMA. 

''A Restoration Order gives an encroacher 21 Days within which to restore and leave or appeal to the Court. If after 21 days the encroacher stays on the wetland, the Government can remove the person by force and restore the place at the cost of the degrader''.He stressed.

Currently, 214 households have been removed, 101 more households are due for removal to make a total of 315 mapped and served households in Lubigi wetland.

Commenting on the Fuel station spared in Lubigi evection, The ED noted that the station secured lawfull documents that allowed it to construct and evicting them would cause government to be dragged to acourts of Law and cause wastage of taxpayers money in compesations.

With the exception of critical public infrastructure like Roads, Pipelines, Railways, Telecommunication infrastructure among others provided they are effectively guided by the Environment and Social Impact Assessment Processes. Efforts to halt further loss of wetlands and also recovery of degraded ones have been ongoing in the country with the most recent being the ongoing restoration of Lubigi Ecosystems and other operations across the country.He said.

''These operations have been conducted in Lwera Wetlands, Lurindo wetland in Rukungiri, Akadot wetlands in Kumi, Kanyabukanja wetland in Buhweju, Kole wetlands in Kole, Rwizi Wetlands in Mbarara, Kitagata wetlands in Bushenyi,Kanyabukanja wetland in Buhweju, Pece wetland in Gulu, Nakaiba in Masaka, Kyabwato and Rwengwe wetlands in Ntungamo and the ongoing Lubigi wetlands''. Dr Barirega disclosed. 

He has however urged all nationals not to wait for NEMA to protect the wetlands saying that the law allows any Ugandan to protect the wetland areas.

Dr Barirega noted that NEMA is understaffed currently with only 200 employees but requires 2570 staff to effectively execute its mandate.