Farmers Evicted from Nyakibale Catholic Parish Wetland Over Encroachment

Rukungiri: Rukungiri Municipal authorities have evicted tenant farmers who had encroached on the Nyakibale wetland after renting plots from Nyakibale Catholic Parish.

The eviction exercise was conducted on August 4, and was led by Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom. It involved officials from the Municipal Environment Office, Community Development Office, Municipal Law Enforcement, and other stakeholders. The operation was aimed at restoring wetlands that have been encroached on within Rukungiri Municipality.

Speaking to our news reporter during the exercise, Deputy RDC Ongom said all cultivation activities in the wetland have been stopped. Ongom warned that no one should encroach on the wetland again because it is an important water catchment that supplies and preserves water for the municipality, especially during the dry season.

Ongom said Nyakibale Catholic Parish had rented out the wetland to local farmers and collected money from them. He described the move as wrong, saying institutions such as churches and schools should instead protect wetlands. Ongom advised institutions to always seek guidance from the relevant authorities before leasing out wetlands.

CUE IN…..ONGOM ON WETLAND…RR

The LC1 Chairperson of Rwempisi Cell in Rwentondo Ward, Eastern Division, Johnbosco Tumwebe, together with resident Evangelista Beinenama, said the church charged each farmer UGX 10,000 for every measure stick used to measure the size of the rented plot. They said they accepted the church’s decision because they believed it had obtained permission from the relevant authorities.

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The Senior Environment Officer, Laban Kushaba Katende, said the municipality has launched a three-month operation to restore all encroached wetlands and water catchment areas in accordance with the law. He warned that anyone found violating environmental laws risks arrest, a fine of up to UGX 600 million, imprisonment of up to 12 years, or both, as determined by the courts.

CUE IN…..LABAN…RR//ENG

By press time, efforts to obtain a comment from Nyakibale Catholic Parish were unsuccessful.