UGANDA, Wakiso | Real Muloodi News | The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has initiated a series of evictions in the Lubigi Wetland in Kampala, causing significant controversy and pushback from local authorities and residents.
The evictions are part of a broader effort by NEMA to restore wetlands across the country. Still, the actions have been met with allegations of unlawfulness and failure to adhere to proper procedures as outlined in the NEMA Act of 2019.
Controversy Over NEMA Evictions
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials, led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, have accused NEMA of unlawful evictions in Lubigi Wetland.
During a meeting with residents at Outspan Nursery and Primary School in Kawempe Division, Lukwago highlighted that the evictions violate Section 26 of the NEMA Act, which mandates the creation of a District Environment Management Committee to oversee natural resources.
He stated, “This section talks about environmental management by urban and district councils; subject to this act and any other applicable law, urban and district councils shall be responsible for the management of environment and natural resources under their jurisdiction.”
Lukwago argued that no such committee had been established, and criticized NEMA for demolishing structures without committee input.
He noted that despite repeated requests, NEMA had been reluctant to convene the committee.
“We have been on their neck to sit down and make this committee in vain,” he said, adding that even when a meeting was scheduled, the NEMA Executive Director, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, did not attend, delegating a junior officer instead.
Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura urged residents to resist what she termed as NEMA’s intimidation, asserting that demolitions should not proceed without legal compliance.
Kawempe Division Mayor Emmanuel Serunjogi warned of protests if low-income residents were evicted, equating it to sentencing them to homelessness.
He stated, “We are telling NEMA that don’t dare come to Kawempe because the laws are clear.”
David Luzindana, chairperson of Katoogo Zone, reported that five houses had been marked for eviction, with many more threatened.
“One of the residents whose house was marked possesses a land title. If the government continues with evictions, in Katoogo alone 37,000 will be homeless,” he said.
Businessman Donates Land to Evictees
In response to the ongoing evictions, Kampala businessman Hassan Bulwadda donated five acres of land to the victims of NEMA demolitions.
The land, located in Nana-Bulwadda Village, Wattuba Parish in Kinkandwa Sub-county, Mityana District, comes with conditions.
Bulwadda emphasized that the land should remain residential, prohibiting the establishment of worship centres and schools.
“Just like Lubigi, no person should be buried on that estate,” he stated, adding that beneficiaries would receive free construction materials and full ownership of the land through a written agreement.
The visiting team, led by Nansana Resident Division Commissioner (RDC) Shaffic Ali Nsubuga, included Nansana West II A chairperson Dickson Mayiga, who expressed relief over the offer.
“I urge the beneficiaries to put into appropriate use the land that they have acquired and comply with the guidance given by the donor,” Mayiga said.
Discrepancies in Meeting Resolutions
A recent meeting between KCCA and NEMA to resolve the impasse over the Lubigi Wetland evictions resulted in conflicting reports about the resolutions.
NEMA issued a statement insisting that the evictions were lawful and would continue.
“The meeting agreed that the current restoration exercise should go on, but that the local council leaders should mobilize their communities that have encroached on the wetlands to vacate peacefully,” the statement read.
However, Lukwago refuted this, stating that the meeting resolved to halt operations in Kampala pending the constitution of the District Natural Resources and Environment Committee as provided for in Section 27 of the NEMA Act.
He also mentioned that NEMA should expedite the process of instituting an appeals review mechanism for residents challenging restoration orders.
Additional resolutions included collaboration with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and KCCA to identify project-affected persons awaiting compensation for the Jinja Expressway and Lubigi Channel works.
Dr. Akankwasah reiterated NEMA’s stance on the importance of compliance with restoration orders.
“If you think the restoration order has been issued to you in error, the restoration order gives you the chance to appeal to court for review or appeal to NEMA to review the order,” he said.
He warned that defiance could lead to prosecution, imprisonment, or fines.
Background and Future Plans
The evictions are part of NEMA’s broader initiative to restore degraded wetlands across Uganda. According to Dr Akankwasah, satellite images show that Lubigi Wetland measures 1,721 hectares, with only about 480 hectares remaining intact.
The crackdown aims to reclaim the encroached areas and prevent further environmental degradation.
NEMA has announced plans to extend the evictions to other areas, including Ganda-Nasere, Nansana West II A, Nansana South, Bwaise, Kawaala, Kireka, Nakawa, Kinawataka, and Munyonyo.
As the conflict between NEMA and local authorities continues, the focus remains on finding a balance between environmental conservation and the rights of residents.
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