The Kisoro District Wetland Restoration and Conservation Project team has accused political leaders of undermining efforts to protect wetlands in exchange for votes. This accusation followed a meeting at the Kirundo Sub-county headquarters with residents encroaching on the Gichuba wetland, who failed to attend.
Kisoro District Environmental Officer, Akankwasa Unice, criticized political leaders for paying lip service to environmental protection, particularly during the recent Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-elections. She emphasized that wetland restoration efforts are ongoing across the district and Uganda as part of a presidential initiative. So far, 1,200 hectares of encroached wetlands have been restored out of a targeted 1,990 hectares.
Kirundo Sub-county LC3 Chairperson, Geoffrey Nvuyekure, accused some senior political figures of encouraging residents to encroach on wetlands for better harvests during the by-election campaigns. He also expressed frustration with unfulfilled promises by the district restoration team, which, he argued, has led to continued environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, Louis Bishubeho, the LCV Councilor for Kirundo Sub-county, praised the government’s efforts to provide alternative livelihoods to encroachers, calling it a more effective strategy for wetland conservation. He urged Kisoro District leadership to clearly demarcate boundaries between government wetlands and public land to prevent further encroachment.
In response, the Kisoro Wetland Restoration and Conservation Project team announced that on Friday, encroachers evicted from the Mishishi wetland will receive alternative livelihood support, including cattle, goats, and sheep.
