By George Businge

Residents in Nyamigisa Village, Butoole Parish, Kyangwali Sub County in Kikuube district have raised a red flag over the continued destruction of wetlands in the area.

The residents say Nyamigisa wetland which is a crucial source of water in the area is vanishing as several people have invaded and occupied it for rice growing.

Nyamigisa wetland, measuring approximately 100 acres, residents say has encroached on a high-ranking retired Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) officer who secured its ownership.

He has since started renting it to people who are growing rice and tomatoes at three hundred thousand shillings per acre every season.

Bosco Kato and other residents are concerned that the continued destruction is going to worsen the water situation and hence the need to protect it.

Kato explains that people who are growing rice and tomatoes are using herbicide sprays which are putting their lives at risk.

Robert Balimunsi, one of the area leaders, says that he is concerned about the education of the children who spends all the time chasing birds from rice.

The locals reported the matter to the Kikuube Resident District Commissioner, Amlan, who assessed the situation and issued a one-week ultimatum for the people who are growing rice and tomatoes in the wetland to vacate peacefully.

Tumusiime says that it is very unfortunate that Ugandans have remained adamant and continue to destroy wetlands.

Sam Tumukunde, one of the people occupying the wetland, told Earthfinds that they are doing this to earn a living because they are poor and have nowhere else.

According to the environment officer of Kikuube district, there are only three bigger gazetted wetlands in the district that include Wambabya, Nguse and Kafu.

The rest are small tributaries which people are taking advantage of to destroy something that requires concerted efforts to preserve the water sources from further destruction.

Total Uganda and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) raised Shs30m towards the construction of a classroom block at Namagera Church of Uganda Primary School in Nakaseke, Wakiso District.

The school was constructed in 1980 and currently has a capacity of 290 pupils. A visit by Total Uganda’s staff to the school revealed that the poor infrastructure (classrooms), limited sanitary facilities and lack of accommodation for teachers were among the issues affecting the school’s academic performance.

Total Uganda’s Managing Director, Obi IMEMBA handed over the cheque to General David Muhoozi, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), at a ceremony held at the UPDF headquarters in Mbuya.

During the cheque handover, Mr. IMEMBA reiterated Total Uganda’s commitment to the communities it operates in and commended the UPDF for its Tarehe Sita activities.

“Education is an investment that is why we also need to invest in proper infrastructure to provide a conducive learning environment for pupils. Total Uganda believes in quality education being one the most important growth drivers for the social–economic development of Uganda. Investing in education should be a top priority for everyone in the community,” IMEMBA remarked.

The Chief of Defense Forces, General David Muhoozi expressed his gratitude towards Total Uganda’s contribution and pledged to continue working with them to help various communities.

“As part of our 39^th Tarehe Sita celebrations, which we held in Nakaseke, we identified Namagere Church of Uganda Primary School as one that needed help. Through our very good relationship we enjoy with Total Uganda, we reached out to them to offer any support possible. We are thankful that they were willing and have gone ahead to fulfil their promise. The classroom block will be built by the UPDF Engineering brigade,” General Muhoozi said.

The headmaster of Namagere Church of Uganda Primary School expressed his gratitude at Total Uganda and the UPDF’s generosity towards the school.

“We are indeed indebted to Total Uganda and the UPDF for the additional classroom block. The obligation is on us to repay your efforts by excelling. We are going to work hard to be among the top schools in this community,” he said.

Total Uganda is committed to ensuring access to quality education for all children, in particular the underprivileged ones from disadvantaged and marginalized communities, so as to realize immense significance for overall development of the country.