Samuel A
Hajji Masokoyi Wasswa, the Chief Administrative Officer of Rukungiri district, has urged communities in the region to adhere to wetland conservation laws and vacate these areas voluntarily. He emphasized the detrimental impact of settlement and cultivation on wetlands, contributing to climate change. Masokoyi emphasized that the district is acting in accordance with the presidential directive to evict individuals from wetlands, aiming to restore these vital ecosystems.
Masokoyi cautioned against being influenced by lawyers encouraging legal challenges and advised residents to comply with the lawful eviction process. He encouraged those facing challenges to approach his office for a lasting solution, highlighting that people were given time to harvest crops before eviction.
In response to complaints from Ruhinda, Steven Nsubuga Bewayo, the Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner, dismissed them as politically motivated. He pointed out that other sub-counties did not raise concerns during the wetland eviction program’s implementation. Bewayo asserted that those dissatisfied should seek legal recourse, as the district authorities are simply following the presidential directive to evict individuals from wetlands for climate restoration.
The RDC clarified that implementing the directive is essential, as living within 30 meters of wetlands violates the law. He warned against threats towards the wetland eviction team, asserting that any legal action should be directed at the CAO and IGG, not the law enforcers.
