Mityana RDC Urges Wetland Users to Follow Environmental Guidelines

What the report says

Mityana district officials have told residents who use wetlands to check with the natural resources office before carrying out any activity there, saying they should comply with conservation rules or face possible prosecution. The message was delivered during a community sensitisation meeting in Maayi Sub-county, where district leaders and environmental officers explained the laws governing protected areas and answered concerns from local people.

According to Nile Post, Mityana Resident District Commissioner Joseph Drake Mukiibi said the government is not trying to remove people from their land, but to safeguard wetlands for long-term environmental and community benefit. He encouraged residents to work with officials to identify permitted uses, and suggested alternatives such as elephant grass and bamboo in suitable areas. District officials also advised against planting eucalyptus in wetlands, arguing that it can worsen environmental damage.

Other speakers included the district secretary for production and natural resources, Jackline Nampijja, and Environmental Police Commander SSP Taban, both of whom stressed compliance with National Environment Management Authority guidance and national environmental laws. Taban warned that ignorance of the law would not protect offenders and said unlawful wetland use could also affect access to markets with deforestation-related requirements.

The district natural resources officer, Yasin Bbira, said wetlands are important for ecological balance and asked residents near wetlands to confirm legal boundaries with authorities. He also said people in areas within 200 metres of wetlands should leave those zones, while some residents asked for time to harvest crops before relocating. The meeting reflected an ongoing effort to balance conservation enforcement with local livelihoods.