Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-04-01 16:00:00
Leaders in the Busoga sub-region have taken a stand against a directive issued by President Museveni to evict encroachers of wetlands and lakes in the area. The President had warned about the detrimental effects of wetland degradation on the environment during the Tarehe Sita celebrations in Bugweri District in February 2024.
At the launch of Isenda Hill and Bisira Hill as new tourist sites in Busoga, First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, emphasized the importance of water bodies to the Basoga people. She stated that it is difficult to separate the Basoga people from the lakes and wetlands that are integral to their way of life. Kadaga also serves as the Minister for East African Community Affairs and expressed concerns about the future of Basoga following the directive to expel people from the water bodies.
Ms Kadaga suggested that instead of forcefully evicting residents, the government should educate them on how to coexist with the wetlands. She highlighted the challenges faced by Basoga, including the ban on silverfish fishing and low sugarcane prices, which have resulted in losses for farmers.
The Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom and Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, Mr Joseph Muvawala, echoed Kadaga’s sentiments by emphasizing the reliance of Basoga on the lake for survival. He called for action against officials involved in illegal activities related to the lakes, such as smuggling fishing nets into the country.
Jinja North Constituency Member of Parliament, Mr David Aga Isabirye, pointed out that many people in Kaliro and Namatumba districts rely on wetlands for their livelihood, particularly for rice cultivation. He raised concerns about the impact of evictions on these communities’ source of income.
FDC Vice Chairperson for the Eastern Region, Ms Proscovia Salaam Musumba, emphasized the importance of wetlands to the survival of the Basoga people. She stated that Busoga is predominantly marshland situated between various water bodies like the River Nile, Lake Kyoga, and Lake Victoria. Musumba highlighted the significance of marshlands to the identity and sustenance of the Basoga community.
In conclusion, the leaders in the Busoga sub-region are united in their opposition to the directive to evict encroachers of wetlands and lakes. They argue that wetlands are essential to the livelihoods and cultural identity of the Basoga people and call for a more sustainable approach to conservation that takes into account the needs of local communities.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
