Environment body, NEMA has warned that operations targeting wetland encroachers will extend to other parts of Kampala and the country.
Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, NEMA Executive Director, Dr.Akanwasah Barirega said whereas they have been accused of not notifying the evictees in Lubigi, this is not true.
“This same process was duly followed for Lubigi operation and restoration orders were issued and people warned to leave from as far as Febuary to April 2016 for Nansana, 2018 Nabweru area, 2019 Nabisasiro, Aug 2022 – Nansana, Sentema, Busega and Nabisasiro, December 2023 Busega and April 2024 Lubigi . Earlier in 2012, major evictions were carried out in Lubigi which resulted into successful evictions of Bemba Musota (the witchdoctor) and the taxi park,” Barirega said.
“This is countrywide exercise and we call upon everyone in wetlands to vacate peacefully to avoid inconvenience that may come along with enforcement operations.”
The NEMA boss however said there will be no compensation to those whose houses and other properties have been or will be destroyed during the ongoing eviction exercise.
“ 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. Government cannot therefore compensate encroachers as this would not only invite more encroachments but also would be a tacit approval of illegality.”
Barirega however dismissed claims of selective enforcement against some and not others?
“This is a law enforcement exercise that looks out for any person that has breached or offended the law. Some infrastructure in wetlands were established with due process of government approval and removing them would result in liability to government.”
He cited Stabex fuel station in Lubigi who he said obtained approvals in 2017 before being set up, noting that there are some other establishments with past approvals including some factories.
“ These have been left until government takes a decision on such cases. The public should not see this as selective enforcement but rather prudence to avoid loss of public funds in avoidable compensations.”
