In a passionate plea to the government, Hon. Wilfred Arinda, the LC 5 Male Youth Councillor for Rubanda District, has warned that the planned evictions from wetlands in Kigezi region could lead to catastrophic consequences, including loss of livelihoods, increased poverty, and escalating crime rates.
Addressing a high-level engagement meeting on implementing the Presidential Directive on Wetland Management at Cephas Inn Hotel in Kabale Municipality on Friday afternoon, Hon. Arinda highlighted the concerns of Kigezi’s farming communities, who rely heavily on Irish potato and dairy farming. He emphasized the need for sustainable solutions, stressing that the government must provide education and training on proper farming methods to make hilly areas arable and fertile again.
Hon. Arinda also called for alternative livelihood support and resources to be made available to affected communities, including access to markets, credit facilities, and extension services. He proposed a five-year plan to transition people from wetlands to more sustainable farming practices, ensuring a gradual and well-supported process.
Furthermore, Hon. Arinda suggested the establishment of a water pumping system to harness water from Lake Bunyonyi, distributing it to hilly areas in Kigezi to enhance farming productivity and boost food security. He also urged the government to intensify efforts to promote soil conservation, reforestation, and agroforestry practices in the region.
“The government must not push us to poverty and desperation,” Hon. Arinda urged. “We need support to make our hilly areas arable and fertile again, and to promote soil conservation and reforestation practices. We are willing to work with the government to find sustainable solutions, but we cannot be left behind.”
The government’s efforts to balance environmental sustainability with economic development have been commended, but Hon. Arinda stressed that the concerns of Kigezi’s farming communities must be addressed to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
Other leaders who include Hon Mbabazi Pierre Nyetegyereize the Rubanda District speaker while adding on Arinda’s ideas revealed that government was mishandling the idea of wetlands in Kigezi, because a few individuals were misleading government.
The President of Uganda, Gen Yoweri Museveni in his message recently revealed that the people of Busoga,Bukedea and Kigezi should leave wetlands, but a few compensated.
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