Authorities in Kabale District, in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, have launched an ambitious restoration project aimed at reviving a 300-hectare wetland and 400 hectares of the Nyombe catchment area in Kahungye Sub-County. The effort is part of a broader initiative to combat soil erosion, promote sustainable farming practices, and address the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.
During the launch, Kabale District Resident Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring wetlands that had been previously occupied by agricultural and livestock activities. “This initiative is critical to mitigating the effects of climate change, which have resulted in floods and degradation of our ecosystems,” Nyakahuma said. He also mentioned plans to introduce an ordinance requiring the construction of terraces in hilly areas to further prevent soil erosion and restore the fertility of these lands.
The project comes as a collaborative effort, with the community playing a central role. Kabale District Natural Resource Officer Henry Tumwesigye Kamutoro explained that the residents have been sensitized on the ecological significance of the wetlands. “The community members have voluntarily agreed to vacate the wetland areas and shift their focus to utilizing the catchment hills for sustainable farming,” he noted. Kamutoro added that the restoration plan involves planting bamboo trees to help retain water and refill water trenches that had been dug to drain the wetlands, thus restoring the area’s natural ecosystem.
Otuka Gilbart, representing the Ministry of Water and Environment, provided further details about the progress of the project. “So far, we’ve demarcated 80 kilometers of the project area and are now transitioning into the restoration phase. The land, which has suffered from infertility due to erosion, is expected to regain its fertility with the elimination of soil runoff,” he said. Three committees have been set up to manage Nyombe Hill and to enforce measures preventing further soil erosion into the wetlands.
Kabale Chief Administrative Officer, Asiimwe John, assured the affected community members that compensation for those displaced by the project is underway. He also urged residents to embrace agroforestry and plant trees, not only as a means of livelihood but also as a measure to protect the environment.
Miria Tugume, Kabale District Vice Chairperson, pledged improvements in the area’s infrastructure. “In this year’s financial plan, the road from Lubaya Church of Uganda to Kagoma will be repaired to ensure farmers can transport their harvests more easily to market centers,” she announced.
However, not all residents are convinced. Hellen Kyomuhendo, a resident of Murambi who had been farming in the wetlands, voiced her concerns. “I was relying on my crops to support my family and pay school fees. Now, I’m not sure if the hilly land will be as productive as the wetland was,” she said, expressing her uncertainty about her future livelihood.
The restoration project, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Green Climate Fund, is set to benefit the villages of Nyombe, Kyimusya, and Bukonto. As the initiative moves forward, both the government and the community remain hopeful that the project will not only restore the environment but also create a more sustainable future for the district.
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