Kole leaders want ban on wetland cultivation lifted

14 March 2024, 7:38 am

By Ongora Denish (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug)

Kole

Kole district leaders are contemplating requesting president Museveni to lift a ban on wetland cultivation to allow locals in the district utilize the wetlands to grow food.

In 2021, president Museveni banned growing of rice in wetlands across the country.

However, Kole district chairman Andrew Moses Awany said the ban on wetland cultivation is being implemented discriminatively, citing districts of Lyantonde and Kabale where he says wetlands are being encroached with impunity for cultivation and animal grazing.

Addressing leaders of cooperative societies in Kole on Monday, Awany said he will take some councilors, civil servants and LC3 chairpersons from the district to witness cases of wetland encroachment in some areas of eastern and western Uganda.

Awany said he will also write to the president to allow locals cultivate wetlands, since a larger part of Kole district is surrounded by wetlands.

Kole district woman MP Judith Alyek said she will work with other leaders of the district to ensure locals are allowed to cultivate wetlands.

Kole district measures 2,847 Square Kilometers but 9% of the district comprises of wetlands, 15% forest, and 75% farmland.

According to ministry of water and environment, wetland coverage in Uganda has reduced to 11% from 13% due to pressure imposed by human activities.

Responding to this, Kole Resident District Commissioner, Josephine Omara Olili said the ban against wetland cultivation was issued by President Museveni and warned that it should be maintained.