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MUKONO DISTRICT SPEAKER HON. HAJJI ASUMAN MUHUMUZA LUBOWA CALLS FOR GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS AGAINST WETLAND ENCROACHMENT
Mukono District Local Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs through the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP), has held a validation meeting for the development of the Mukono District Five-Year Climate Change Action Plan and the Economic Valuation of the Ssezibwa Wetland System.
The meeting brought together district leaders, members of the District Executive Committee, district councilors, heads of departments, members of the Mukono Development Forum (MDF), representatives from the Chief Administrative Officer’s office, officials from the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, environmental experts, and consultants from Air Water Earth (AWE) Ltd.
The initiative is being undertaken pursuant to Section 30 of the National Environment Act Cap 181 and aims at strengthening environmental governance, promoting climate resilience, and supporting sustainable development through evidence-based planning and environmental conservation.
During the meeting, Mukono District Senior Entomology Officer and Secretary to the GKMA-UDP District Team, Mr. Daniel Kasasa, presented the progress made under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program in Mukono District.
Mr. Kasasa explained that the GKMA-UDP is a government initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs with support from the World Bank. The program commenced in 2023 and is expected to run until the 2027/2028 Financial Year.
He noted that the overall objective of the program is to transform Kampala and the surrounding metropolitan districts, including Mukono, through improved urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental management, and strengthened institutional capacity.
According to Mr. Kasasa, the program is implemented under four major pillars: Mobility and Accessibility Infrastructure Development, Job Creation, Urban Resilience and Climate Change Disaster Management, and Institutional Strengthening for Metropolitan Coordination and Management.
Speaking on behalf of the Mukono District Chairperson, Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome, the District Speaker, Hon. Hajji Asuman Muhumuza Lubowa, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of environmental conservation in promoting sustainable development.
Hon. Muhumuza expressed concern over the increasing number of individuals constructing buildings and other infrastructure in environmentally sensitive areas, particularly wetlands, only to suffer losses when such structures are demolished for violating environmental regulations.
He urged all stakeholders present to become ambassadors of environmental conservation within their respective communities and help educate residents about the dangers of encroaching on wetlands and other protected ecosystems.
“We continue to witness people losing their investments because they construct in wetlands and environmentally protected areas. Let us all become the voice of environmental protection by sensitizing our communities about the dangers of environmental degradation and the importance of complying with planning and environmental laws,” Hon. Muhumuza said.
He further stressed that protecting wetlands such as the Ssezibwa Wetland System is essential for preserving biodiversity, regulating water resources, mitigating the effects of climate change, and supporting livelihoods for future generations.
The validation exercise provided stakeholders with an opportunity to review findings from the climate change and wetland valuation studies, make recommendations, and contribute to the development of practical strategies that will guide environmental management and climate adaptation efforts in Mukono District over the next five years.
Participants also discussed measures aimed at enhancing environmental awareness, strengthening enforcement of environmental regulations, promoting sustainable land use practices, and protecting critical ecosystems from further degradation.
The validation of the Mukono District Five-Year Climate Change Action Plan and the Economic Valuation of the Ssezibwa Wetland System mark an important milestone in the district’s efforts to promote sustainable development, climate resilience, and environmental conservation. District leaders emphasized that protecting wetlands and other natural resources is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between government institutions, local leaders, communities, and development partners.
Stakeholders committed themselves to supporting the implementation of the action plan and strengthening public awareness on environmental protection. Through effective planning, enforcement of environmental laws, and community participation, Mukono District aims to safeguard its natural resources while creating a resilient and sustainable future for present and future generations.
, https://eastafricanwatch.net/mukono-district-validates-5-year-climate-change-action-plan-and-ssezibwa-wetland-economic-valuation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mukono-district-validates-5-year-climate-change-action-plan-and-ssezibwa-wetland-economic-valuation
