The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has resumed operations to remove encroachers from Lubigi Wetland in Kawaala, Rubaga Division, as part of ongoing efforts to restore one of Kampala’s largest and most important wetland systems.
The enforcement exercise, which resumed this week in Kawaala, has affected residents and business operators occupying sections of the wetland, with some expressing concern over the loss of property and livelihoods.
Among those affected is resident Sulaiman Ssenyonga, who said workshops established under the government-backed Emyooga programme face destruction during the operation.
“We had furniture workshops funded under Emyooga, but everything is going to be destroyed,” Ssenyonga said during the exercise.
The evictions form part of broader government efforts to protect wetlands from encroachment and restore degraded ecosystems that are considered critical for flood control, biodiversity, and water management.
Lubigi Wetland, located on the northwestern edge of Kampala, plays a major role in draining stormwater from the city and filtering wastewater before it flows into surrounding water systems. Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that continued encroachment has increased flood risks and environmental degradation in Kampala.
Authorities have in recent years intensified enforcement operations in wetlands across Uganda following concerns over rapid urban expansion and illegal settlements.
Residents and business operators in affected areas say the operation has disrupted economic activities and threatens livelihoods built over several years.
Some structures targeted during previous enforcement exercises included workshops, homes, commercial premises, and small-scale enterprises established within protected wetland zones.
The latest operation has revived concerns among residents about relocation, compensation, and the economic consequences of environmental enforcement campaigns.
The ongoing exercise is centered in Kawaala, within Rubaga Division in Kampala, where sections of Lubigi Wetland have experienced increasing human settlement and commercial activity over the years.
Lubigi stretches across multiple areas around Kampala and Wakiso districts and has frequently been at the center of environmental protection campaigns.
NEMA has previously maintained that wetland restoration remains a priority due to the environmental and public safety risks associated with encroachment.
As enforcement continues, affected residents are expected to seek clarification on the future of businesses and structures established in the area, while authorities push ahead with restoration efforts.
NEMA’s enforcement team has resumed operations to evict encroachers from Lubigi Wetland in Kawaala, Rubaga Division, Kampala. “We had furniture workshops funded under Emyooga, but everything is going to be destroyed,” says affected resident Sulaiman Ssenyonga. 📹Noeline Nabukenya… pic.twitter.com/m9takLTJVk
