Uganda will on Friday, February 2, 2024, join the global community in observing World Wetlands Day, commemorating the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971.
The theme for the 2024 celebration is “Wetlands and Human Well-being,” emphasizing the crucial role of human stewardship in preserving the world’s wetlands.
According to Hon. Samuel Cheptoris, the Minister for Water and Environment, wetlands and human life are intricately linked. He noted the essential ecosystem services provided by wetlands, such as fish, water supply, purification, climate and flood regulation, recreational opportunities, and tourism.
Hon. Cheptoris stressed that the well-being of communities, especially those residing near wetlands, depends heavily on these services and is directly impacted by wetland degradation. He emphasized the correlation between healthy wetlands and overall well-being.
The relevance of this year’s theme, according to the minister, aligns with Uganda’s third National Development Plan, focusing on “sustainable industrialization for inclusive growth, employment, and wealth creation.” Hon. Cheptoris underscored the need for investments in natural capital, including wetland resources, to achieve Uganda’s goal of becoming an upper middle-income country.
Despite government efforts to conserve wetlands, Hon. Cheptoris expressed concern about ongoing damage caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, leading to wetland loss through drainage and infilling.
He revealed that between 1994 and 2015, Uganda lost 6,146.6 sq.km of wetlands, constituting 2.5% of the total coverage. The government has taken measures to address this, including cancelling wetland titles, restoring degraded wetlands, strengthening compliance monitoring, and providing alternative livelihoods for wetland users.
He urged Ugandans to make conscious choices to prevent wetland pollution, participate in national conservation efforts, and engage in local wetland restoration initiatives. He emphasized the importance of restoring lost and degraded wetlands to revive their rich biodiversity and life-sustaining ecosystems.
Akankwasah Barirega (PhD), the Executive Director for the National Environment Authority (NEMA), explained the multiple benefits of wetlands, including providing food, water, air, and medicine.
He warned of potential floods if wetlands are not conserved and revealed NEMA’s operations to evict encroachers and cancel land titles in various regions. Over 610 land titles have already been cancelled, and 300 more are in the process of being revoked.
Barirega invited all Ugandans to Kaunda grounds in Gulu City, where this year’s World Wetlands Day celebrations will take place on Friday, January 2, 2024.
