Mpigi district local government, in partnership with the water and environment ministry and nongovernment organisations, has laid out plans to save Ssemagimbi wetland, which is currently under threat of being degraded.

The project dubbed: Support to the sustainable flower farms and neighbouring communities in the greater Kampala metropolitan area, will target, among others, the commercial flower farmers that use the Ssemagimbi Wetland to ensure that their activities don't degrade it.

The project is being implemented by Nature Uganda,  with funding from GIZ, which is the main German development agency in the field of international co-operation.

Nature Uganda project officer Micheal Kibuule said, according to the survey they have carried out, over 95 bird species live in Ssemagimbi Wetland and if it is left to be degraded, the birds may migrate.

"These birds can act as tourist attractions and bring in foreign exchange. Therefore, there is an urgent need for intervention in the protection of this catchment area," Kibuule said during a stakeholder meeting on how to save the wetland on Thursday.

From right, deputy RDC, Maria Lubega, Emmanuel Ssempala, deputy CAO, and Rev Francis Kafeero, attending the workshop organised by Nature Uganda

Nature Uganda executive director Achilles Byaruhanga said there will be the formation of a Ssemagimbi wetland management plan, which will be crucial in its restoration.

"The development of the management plan will help us in the mobilisation and sensitisation of the communities which operate in the wetland about this project we are undertaking and it will also create jobs," Byaruhanga said.

Byaruhanga adds that the development of the wetland management plan will also help in improving compliance to national regulations and investments as well as addressing waste management issues around.   

Tonny Mwiege, said as the district, they are committed to saving wetlands from degradation, they are constrained by the lack of enough funds and thanked Nature Uganda for coming up with this project.

"As the department, the budget we receive is meagre and cannot support our programmes to fight wetland degradation in the district, we, therefore, thank you for considering Mpigi district under this project," Mweige said.

Deo Kabaalu, from the water ministry, appealed to the community to report all factories that are degrading the wetlands.

He asked the leaders to consider bringing on board religious and local leaders and any other stakeholders in the restoration of the Ssemagimbi wetland if it is to realise success.

Mpigi deputy Resident District Commissioner Maria Lubega appealed to all leaders at all levels to be ambassadors of climatic protection by reporting all actions which destroy the environment.