UGANDA, Mbarara | Real Muloodi News | Tensions have escalated between residents of Rubindi-Ruhumba Town Council in Mbarara District and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) following the eviction of locals from the Rubindi wetland area.
Last week, a joint operation involving officials from Nema, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and Mbarara District led to the demolition of houses and the destruction of gardens within the Rubindi wetland and its buffer zone.
Mr. William Mutagwenda, an affected businessman, expressed his dismay over the sudden eviction, leaving him homeless.
He stated, “I’m surprised that my house was demolished without giving me any warning and now I have nowhere to go. I pray that well-wishers help me with some money to pay for rent.”
Mutagwenda emphasized that he had resided in the area for over a decade and appealed to the government for financial assistance to support his children’s education.
Ms. Christine Aturinda, head teacher of Spring Junior School, lamented the lack of prior notice regarding the eviction.
She stated, “We don’t know where they came from because we were not warned about this activity and we were not aware of this.”
Aturinda recounted an incident where enforcers confiscated a phone from the school gatekeeper and subjected him to physical assault, adding that school property, including the fence and paddock for the school farm, were destroyed during the operation.
Mr John Bagambe, Mbarara District Natural Resources Officer, defended the eviction, asserting that warnings had been issued to vacate the wetland over the past six months.
He explained, “We have been conducting meetings regarding wetland restoration with the locals. We moved around and determined the activities and property on the wetland like houses, trees, coffee, and banana gardens, so we are evicting people who did not respond positively.”
Bagambe clarified that the eviction was aimed at restoring the wetland’s natural functions.
Ms. Brendah Namara, Mbarara District Environment Officer, highlighted the significance of Rubindi Wetland in the district and reiterated efforts to educate residents about wetland conservation.
She stated, “We have been warning encroachers at the district level but this time around we have partnered with the Ministry of Water and Environment to restore this wetland and we are demolishing houses that were constructed in wetlands.”
Namara emphasised ongoing efforts to raise awareness among residents about the importance of wetlands and the necessity of conservation measures.
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