Mixed reactions as ministry destroys over 30 hectares of rice in Kwania
KWANIA, September 9, 2025 – A recent operation by the Ministry of Water and Environment to clear rice plantations from wetlands in Kwania district has triggered mixed reactions from residents, local leaders, and environmentalists.
On Friday, a team from the ministry’s headquarters, led by Regional Environment Officers and supported by the Environmental Police, destroyed over 30 hectares of rice plantations across the sub-counties of Abongomola, Akali, and Aduku. The enforcement operation follows the recent launch of the National Wetland Restoration Programme and the issuance of Executive Order No. 3 by President Yoweri Museveni.
Wilberforce Wanyama, Senior Wetland Officer for Monitoring and Enforcement at the ministry, said the exercise is aimed at restoring severely degraded wetlands in the district.
“We are here in Kwania District to restore a section of wetland that has been heavily degraded through rice growing and sunflower cultivation. This team is tasked with ensuring full restoration. We’ve already been in Kampala and Mpigi, and we plan to proceed to Mbale and other regions,” Wanyama said.
Kwania District’s Senior Environment Officer, Jimmy Okweny, described the level of encroachment as “massive” and called for continued enforcement.
“This is just the beginning. We shall continue until wetland coverage is fully restored. I urge those intending to carry out regulated activities like brick-making or fish farming in wetlands to first seek approval from NEMA,” Okweny said.
He added that previous attempts to negotiate with encroachers had failed.
“We gave an ultimatum of three months for people to vacate the wetlands, but many ignored the directive,” he said.
Residents demand compensation
Some affected residents have condemned the ministry’s action, demanding compensation for the destruction of their crops.
Mike Ngura Okello, a resident of Abongomola Trading Centre, claims his three-acre rice farm was destroyed without prior warning or clear demarcation of wetland boundaries.
“They didn’t notify us, nor did they mark the wetland boundaries, yet they went ahead and destroyed our rice. This amounts to malicious damage, and unless we’re compensated, we’ll take legal action,” he said.
Molly Ogwang, another resident, said her five-acre farm of rice and sugarcane, previously generating over Shs 12 million in income, was also cleared. She is similarly demanding compensation.
Politicians blamed for wetland encroachment
Despite the ministry’s aggressive intervention, wetland degradation continues, with residents using the land for farming and settlement. Environmentalists have accused some local politicians of encouraging this trend for political gain.
Caesar Obada, Assistant Resident District Commissioner [RDC] of Kwania, blamed certain political leaders for enabling illegal farming in wetlands.
“I am concerned that some politicians are encouraging locals to cultivate wetlands. It is our duty to implement presidential directives. We will not allow political pressure or malicious intentions to hinder enforcement,” he said.
Obada urged residents to use Parish Development Model [PDM] funds to engage in legal activities such as fish farming instead of cultivating rice in wetlands.
“If rice farming is being used as a campaign tool, the law will take its course,” he warned.
District LCV Chairperson responds
However, Kwania District LCV Chairperson Geoffrey Alex Ogwal Adyebo refuted claims that politicians are encouraging wetland encroachment.
“That’s not true. We are asking our people to vacate wetlands, but using mowers to slash their crops without a grace period is not fair. They need time to leave voluntarily,” he said.
Extent of wetland degradation
A recent report from the ministry revealed that of the estimated 30,120 hectares of wetlands in Kwania district, only 20,660 hectares remain intact. Approximately 9,460 hectares have been degraded due to encroachment.
https://thecooperator.news/mak-conducts-research-to-move-rice-farmers-from-wetlands/
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