The government has announced a major crackdown on the illegal occupation and destruction of wetlands across Uganda, bringing an immediate end to the amnesty that had previously been extended to encroachers.
Water and Environment Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire made it clear that the era of leniency is over, warning that anyone found degrading protected ecosystems will face the full force of the law.
Speaking at the third National Environment Sustainability Awards (NESA) 2026 in Kampala, Otafiire delivered a passionate message defending the importance of wetlands.
He argued that nature was designed to serve different species in different environments and questioned why humans continue to invade fragile ecosystems meant to support wildlife and maintain environmental balance.
The outspoken minister stressed that there would be no mercy for individuals illegally occupying wetlands. He also revealed that the government’s operation will not stop with the encroachers themselves but will extend to public officials who facilitate environmental destruction through corruption, negligence, or the illegal issuance of land documents in protected areas.
Otafiire warned that the continued destruction of wetlands is putting Uganda’s future at risk. He explained that wetlands act as natural filters that remove pollutants before they reach rivers and lakes. Their disappearance, he said, allows dangerous substances to contaminate water sources, threatening public health and exposing communities to serious environmental hazards.
The minister’s concerns were reinforced by Bank of Uganda Governor Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, who highlighted the growing economic dangers posed by climate change. According to the governor, environmental disasters are no longer just ecological concerns but major threats to businesses, financial institutions, infrastructure, and national economic stability.
Dr. Atingi-Ego noted that climate-related shocks can destroy harvests, disrupt transport networks, increase business costs, and displace communities. He called for stronger investment in climate-smart agriculture, digital finance, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to help Uganda build resilience and turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
Adding his voice to the discussion, NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasa described environmental degradation as a direct threat to human survival. He emphasized that Uganda’s forests, wetlands, rivers, and biodiversity are critical national assets that support rainfall patterns, water storage, electricity generation, tourism, and agricultural productivity.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Akankwasa pointed to encouraging progress, including the growth of Uganda’s forest cover from about 9 percent in 2015 to 13 percent today. However, the dominant message from the event remained Otafiire’s warning that the grace period has ended. For wetland encroachers and the officials protecting them, the government’s new position is unmistakable: leave the wetlands now or prepare to face the consequences.
