NEWS- The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) say they are not to compensate the encroachers of the Lubigi Wetland whose houses were demolished by the NEMA law enforcement officers.
Addressing a press conference at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala, NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasa says according to the Environment Act, the encroachers of the wetland have the obligation to pay the government for violating the law. Dr. Akankwasa has on the same note dismissed claims from the public that there was no prior notice from NEMA to the victims before vacating them.
According to NEMA, a total of 214 families have been vacated from the Lubigi wetland and 111 on prior notice of 21 days for their houses to be demolished making a total of 315 families to be vacated out of Lubigi wetland. Meanwhile the Uganda Police Force has warned politicians who allegedly continue inciting the evicted encroachers of the Lubigi wetlands for demonstrations.
The eviction exercise by NEMA which commenced late last month, has left thousands of people homeless. Several government officials, the opposition and a section of the public have condemned the eviction, saying some people have lived in wetlands for years and had valid land agreements.
During the eviction operations, NEMA and Environmental Police have met strong resistance from the disputed people. Now addressing the Journalists at Police Headquarters.
“We have received intelligence information that some politicians are fueling these people to hold demonstrations. We have now fully equipped our enforcing teams working with NEMA to effectively thrust out any organized protests.” Enanga said.
Last week the President backed NEMA’s wetland evictions and the wetland encroachers to voluntarily vacate the wetlands rather than playing blame games and throwing accusations at the Environmental watchdogs. According to NEMA, wetlands contribute 40% of the Ugandan rain formation, and Uganda could become a desert if they are not being protected.
