The Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda has called upon citizens to join forces in combating the degradation of natural resources, particularly wetlands. This rallying cry comes as the country’s wetlands face mounting pressure. Commissioner for Wetlands David Okurut while addressing journalists in Uganda shared that despite these challenges, the government has made significant strides in restoring degraded wetlands, with an impressive 5,000 hectares restored in the last year alone. This progress is a step in the right direction, especially considering the crucial role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity and regulating water flows.
Uganda’s wetlands are facing numerous threats, including encroachment, over-exploitation, and degradation, largely driven by human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development. To address these issues, the government and conservation efforts are working together to promote sustainable wetland management practices and restore degraded areas.
The country has also launched initiatives like the Green Climate Fund Wetlands Restoration Project, which aims to restore 64,370 hectares of wetlands and 11,630 hectares of catchments, benefiting up to 800,000 people in 20 districts. IN September 2023 ,the Government of Uganda officially gazetted all wetlands in the country, recognizing their critical role in protecting communities from climate change and providing essential benefits for millions. The Uganda Gazette on wetlands, officially titled “The National Environment (Declaration of Wetlands) Notice, 2023”, is a legal document issued by the Government of Uganda. This notice was officially launched on World Wetlands Day 2024 and serves as a crucial step toward wetland protection in the country through embodying the spirit of the SDGs, particularly SDG SDG 6 which is Clean Water and Sanitation. Empowering Ugandan communities to conserve wetlands goes beyond protecting their livelihoods and well-being,it contributes to global efforts to halt biodiversity loss, ensure sustainable water management, and combat climate change. By prioritizing wetland conservation, Uganda also exemplifies SDG 13 Climate Action, demonstrating that environmental protection and economic prosperity can indeed go together.