Cabinets approves shs5.5 billion for water-related disasters

KAMPALA – A sum total of up to 5.5 billion shillings has been earmarked by the cabinet to construct gabions in selected areas along Lake Victoria to protect infrastructure like roads from the effects of the rising water levels from this lake. With up to 13.66 meters, Lake Victoria is experiencing the highest water levels ever recorded, arousing government concern.

This revelation was made by the Minister for Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris, while speaking to journalists ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, 2024. According to the minister, this was one of the intervention resolutions passed by the cabinet meeting on Monday, where he presented the status report about the rising water in various bodies around the country as Lake Victoria’s water levels rise.

According to the minister, building gabions is the immediate intervention to the situation the cabinet recommended, adding that intermediate and long-term interventions were also passed and will be implemented gradually as funding comes in starting next financial year. However, the construction of gabions is set to start with immediate effect because more rains are expected.

Cheptoris says  the rising water levels in Victoria are due to the fact that the lake receives most of its waters from outside Uganda, from over 23 rivers originating from countries experiencing El Niño rains. “When the water levels increase, we are forced to release more water from Jinja to stabilize and balance the lake and downstream. At the moment, we are releasing 2600 cubic meters per second, and this is another way of ensuring that we don’t damage our dams,” he stated.

He also cautioned the communities around water bodies to be very careful and respect environmental laws, which call for a buffer zone of up to 100 meters from a lakeshore and 50 from a riverbank, as well as refraining from wetland encroachment. “I want to appeal to Ugandans to come to their senses and respect nature before it is too late,” he said.

Akankwasa Barirega, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) executive director, echoed the minister’s sentiments, saying that Ugandans should voluntarily abide by the law before nature catches up with them, and if it doesn’t, the government will enforce it. He added that NEMA enforcement operations on wetland encroachment all over the country are still ongoing, and the authority has up to 131 court cases arising from these operations.

“Every day, our men are in the field trying to evict those who have refused to go voluntarily because those who go voluntarily save on time and losses. We do not need to police every inch of wetland in this country. What we mostly desire is the mindset change for the people to protect the common good,” he added.

Barirega revealed that NEMA has so far sought the cancellation of up to 10,000 land title certificates awarded in wetlands and central forest reserves. 3,000 were presented last year, and 7,000 were submitted in 2012, and the process is ongoing, though the pace has to be enhanced.

Regarding the formation of the Environmental Protection Force in accordance with section 25 of the National Environment Act, Barirega mentioned that the process commenced in July last year, and so far, only 40 people of the required 2,000 have been recruited. He added that the process will continue provided wages are available, and currently, the operations are supported by other forces.

The World Environment Day, is to be cerebrated in Sironko district, and president Museveni, is expected to preside over the event.