Leaders raise alarm over rapid wetland encroachment along River Agago

29 November 2025, 4:56 PM

By Freeman Canogura

Local leaders in Agago District have expressed concern over the rapid encroachment on wetlands along the Agago River, warning that uncontrolled cultivation and settlement are placing the ecosystem at serious risk.

According to district officials, large sections of the riverbank in areas such as Adilang, Ajali, and Patongo have been cleared for rice cultivation, brick-making, and small-scale construction, leaving the wetland heavily degraded. The leaders say this destruction is accelerating water pollution, reducing fish breeding sites, and increasing the district’s vulnerability to floods.

Susan Akot Moro, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, said many residents have ignored previous warnings and continue to expand gardens into protected zones. She noted that the district is preparing tougher enforcement measures, including arrests for repeat offenders, as voluntary compliance has failed.

In Patongo Sub County, farmer Grace Ayugi told our reporter that some residents are encroaching due to shrinking farmland and dry conditions elsewhere. She said people know it is wrong but are desperate for fertile soil near water.

Community elder Tom Okot from Lapono expressed concern that the younger generation is destroying natural buffers that have protected the community for decades. He explained that during heavy rains, wetlands slow flooding, but their destruction puts homes at greater risk.

Simon Odoch, Agricultural Extension Officer, said wetland degradation is already affecting water flow during the dry season. He added that although regulations require wetland users to leave a 100-metre buffer between their gardens and the wetland, this is widely ignored.

The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has banned large-scale farming and other human activities in wetlands unless a permit is obtained, demonstrating that the activity is sustainable and environmentally harmless.

Odoch said wetland users rarely seek guidance on sustainable land use and often leave tracks that disrupt wildlife and human access. He appealed to officials in the RDC’s office to take the lead in enforcing the law, noting that elected leaders often hesitate for fear of losing votes.