Encroachers ordered to vacate degraded wetland

MASINDI, May 27, 2025 –– Individuals who have encroached upon and degraded the Rwentahi Wetland in Masindi district to cultivate sugarcane have been ordered to vacate the area immediately.

The wetland, which spans the villages of Rwenjojo, Kikingura, and Kyakaheeru in Ntooma Parish, Bwijanga Subcounty, is under threat due to ongoing illegal activities. The directive was issued recently by Olivia Nabukenya, the Masindi District Environment Officer, following multiple complaints from concerned residents.

The Rwentahi Wetland is home to a valley dam constructed by the government in the 2020/2021 financial year under the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund [NUSAF] to support livestock farming. However, five years later, the Shs 600 million facility now faces imminent threat from sugarcane farmers who have ploughed the surrounding area, compromising the dam’s intended use.

James Mugisa, one of the concerned citizens who petitioned local authorities, expressed frustration over continued encroachment.

“Despite an earlier directive issued via the Officer in Charge of Ntooma Police Post to halt this activity, the destruction has persisted,” Mugisa stated in his 7 March 2025 petition addressed to the Masindi Resident District Commissioner [RDC], District Police Commander, and District Internal Security Officer, among others.

He warned that failure to take immediate and decisive action could escalate tensions and spark conflict between livestock farmers and those growing sugarcane in the wetland, particularly as access to the valley dam is being obstructed.

In response, Nabukenya ordered all encroachers to vacate and begin restoration efforts without delay.

“What I want is to see this wetland restored, no compromise. This is for your own benefit. If all the water dries up, it’s you [the encroachers] who will suffer. I want natural trees replanted here. No one is to step foot in this wetland unless they are planting indigenous trees. Eucalyptus and sugarcane must be uprooted,” Nabukenya declared during a community meeting held at the wetland in Rwenjojo village on Thursday.

Local leaders speak out

James Mudede, the LCIII Chairperson of Bwijanga Sub-county, reported that more than 100 hectares of the wetland have already been encroached upon.

“People started planting sugarcane here a long time ago. Some are even harvesting. The wetland has been taken over by influential individuals driven by selfish interests,” he stated.

Mudede also criticised the District Environment Office for failing to intervene in a timely manner, despite repeated reports.

“How are people acquiring land titles in a gazetted wetland? The district lands office needs to be investigated. As local leaders, we have limited authority, but why isn’t the environment office stepping in earlier?” he questioned.

Andrew Wandera, the LCI Chairperson of Kyakaheeru village, said even the fence erected around the valley dam had been vandalised.

“This dam used to serve livestock farmers, but since sugarcane farming started, they’ve been blocked from accessing it. Everyone knows this is a wetland, but people are encroaching with impunity,” Wandera said.

Residents defy eviction orders

Some residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the enforcement process, accusing the authorities of selective implementation.

Ramathan Aganyira, a sugarcane farmer operating in the wetland, alleged that the environment office is targeting ordinary locals while sparing influential individuals.

“Even civil servants in Masindi have planted sugarcane here, yet they’re not being told to vacate. Why are we being singled out?” he asked. “We will not leave unless everyone else, including the well-connected, are also evicted.”

Another resident, Sunday Mugisa Ronald, claimed that the Masindi RDC, Darius Nandinda, had previously instructed encroachers to continue working while investigations were carried out to determine the actual boundaries of the wetland.

However, Nandinda firmly denied these claims when contacted. “I have not allowed anyone to continue cultivating sugarcane in the wetland. It was I who instructed the police and environment officer to intervene. We are going to evict them,” Nandinda clarified.

Wetland destruction is a significant environmental problem in Uganda, with an estimated 25 percent loss in the past two decades. This loss is driven by factors like human encroachment for settlements and agricultural expansion. 

https://thecooperator.news/lango-cultural-leaders-want-wetlands-protected/

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