President Museveni calls for a unified strategy to utilise wetlands in Busoga, emphasising the need to prevent degradation and maximise economic potential.
JINJA, UGANDA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for a decisive and harmonised strategy for the utilisation of wetlands in the Busoga sub-region, urging a shift away from practices that either degrade these vital ecosystems or fail to harness their full economic potential.
The President critiqued the current widespread practice of rice cultivation in wetlands, labelling it a form of "under-utilisation" that yields lower profitability compared to more sustainable and lucrative alternatives.
"We must be strategic stewards of our natural resources. Rice growing in wetlands is less profitable and constitutes an under-utilisation of these ecosystems," President Museveni stated. He presented fish farming as a superior alternative, highlighting its potential for sequential use. "Fish farming can be implemented in a way that allows for the subsequent use of the same land for other agricultural activities through irrigation, creating a cycle of productivity."
Weighing Economic and Environmental Imperatives
The President's guidance underscores a critical balancing act between driving economic prosperity and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. He emphasised that the preservation of wetlands is not merely an ecological concern but a fundamental pillar for climate resilience and food security.
In a related intervention, President Museveni also addressed the protracted land contention surrounding the Mayuge forest. He has issued direct guidance to resolve the dispute between the National Forest Authority (NFA) and local communities, signalling a top-down approach to finding a lasting solution that considers both conservation goals and community livelihoods.
This dual focus on wetlands and forest land demonstrates a comprehensive government strategy to manage Uganda's natural capital wisely, ensuring that environmental assets become a foundation for sustainable wealth creation rather than a casualty of it.
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