Nasenyi swamps shrink as weather patterns shift

29 December 2025, 7:56 pm

By Gerald Welikhe

Communities living near swamps in several parts of eastern Uganda have long relied on these wetlands for income-generating activities. Traditionally, the waterlogged areas have supported crops such as rice and sweet potatoes, providing both food and a source of household income.

Nasenyi village in Mugiti Sub-county, Budaka District, is one such community where wetland cultivation has been practiced for decades. However, the continued encroachment on the Nasenyi swamps is now raising concerns, as residents say the environmental cost is beginning to outweigh the benefits.

Local leaders and residents report noticeable changes in weather patterns, including delayed rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and increased flooding — changes they attribute partly to the shrinking wetlands.

“We are now living in desperate times,” says Mrs. Naigaga Sumaya, the Woman Representative of Nasenyi. “Many people have no formal means of earning a living, so they are forced to rely on the swamps for survival.”

She explains that high poverty levels, rapid population growth, high fertility rates, and school dropout rates have pushed many young people and households into rice farming as their only viable livelihood. However, she acknowledges that the practice has had significant environmental consequences.

“The weather patterns have shifted,” Mrs. Naigaga notes. “Rains no longer come when they used to. The situation has become serious because we now experience floods that destroy not only gardens but also homes.”

According to data from the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), eastern Uganda has experienced increasing rainfall variability over the past two decades, with longer dry seasons and more intense rainfall events when rains do occur. National climate reports indicate that average temperatures in Uganda have risen by about 1.3°C since the 1960s, while rainfall has become more erratic — a trend expected to worsen as climate change intensifies.

Wetlands play a critical role in regulating water flow by absorbing excess rainwater and releasing it slowly during dry periods. Environmental experts warn that the destruction of wetlands reduces this buffering capacity, increasing the risk of both floods and droughts.

For farmers like Kayemba Fahad, the dilemma is clear. While authorities have repeatedly warned residents to stop cultivating the swamps, he says many have no alternative sources of income.

“We are told to leave the swamps, but this is the only livelihood we have,” Kayemba says. “There are very limited employment opportunities here.”

Kayemba also raises concerns about what he describes as selective enforcement of wetland protection policies. He alleges that large-scale developments, particularly the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park, have caused more extensive damage to the wetlands than smallholder rice farmers.

“They have constructed dams and diverted water. Factories have been built, and waste is disposed of into the swamps,” he claims. “But authorities tend to overlook that and instead focus on oppressing small farmers like us.”

He adds that water blockages linked to industrial infrastructure have disrupted natural water flow, devastating crop yields and interfering with planting seasons. Residents say the dry season now lasts longer than it used to, while rainfall has become unpredictable and insufficient for farming.

Environmental studies show that Uganda has lost more than 30 percent of its wetlands since the 1990s, largely due to agricultural expansion, industrial development, and settlement. In districts like Budaka, where agriculture employs over 80 percent of the population, the pressure on remaining wetlands continues to grow.

As climate shocks intensify, Nasenyi’s situation highlights a broader national challenge: balancing environmental protection with the immediate survival needs of vulnerable communities. Without alternative livelihoods, sustainable farming practices, and consistent enforcement of environmental laws across all sectors, residents fear that both their environment and their future will continue to deteriorate.