The Rukungiri LCV chairperson Kyomukama Geoffrey has appealed to people living near the wetlands to protect them so that they can get protection from the wetlands in turn.
He was on Tuesday speaking at a one-day training workshop organized by Ministry of Water and Environment funded by World Bank at Lorrycon Hotel in Western Division, Rukungiri municipality
The worshop was organized to present the draft Micro Catchment Management plans for Wetlands around Enengo – Matanda, Wetlands planned to be developed into water sources and Irrigation schemes to enable farmers grow crops all the time.
Kyomukama Geoffrey noted that the government has embarked on wetland restoration because climate has changed which has caused severe famine and
He attributed the current floods that have destroyed properties like bridges to the destruction of water catchment areas and riverbanks by farmers and appealed to people living near wetlands to protect them
The Ministry of Water and Environment funded by the World Bank has embarked at restoration of wetlands in districts of Kanungu, Rukungiri and Mitooma gazzetted under Albert Water Management Zone which has offices in Fort Portal.
In Rukungiri district, this programme will operate in the rift valley sub counties of Nyakishenyi, Nyakagyeme, Ruhinda, Bugangari and Bwambara.
The Ministry of Water and Environment Directorate of Water Resources Management Edward Martin Rwarinda revealed that the government observed challenges amongst the farmers who rely on seasonal rains and supported irrigation to enable farmers practice full time farming
The workshop was attended by LCV and LC3 chairpersons, Sub County chiefs, Community Development officers, Extension Officers, Religious leaders and non-governmental organizations of Rukungiri and Kanungu districts.
