Kampala’s Wetlands Under Siege as Development Pressure Grows
Kampala, Uganda. Kampala’s vital wetlands are vanishing at an alarming rate, raising serious environmental and health concerns for residents. Once considered natural buffers against floods and key ecosystems for biodiversity, the city’s wetlands are now under siege from real estate developers, industrial parks, and informal settlements.
According to a new report by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kampala has lost over 60% of its wetlands in the past 15 years, with Lubigi, Kinawataka, and Kansanga wetlands most affected.
“These wetlands are the lungs of the city,” said Dr. Beatrice Kabanda, an environmental scientist at Makerere University. “When we lose them, we increase the risk of flooding, water pollution, and heat waves.”
Locals in Bwaise and Kyambogo say they are already feeling the effects. “Every time it rains, our homes flood,” said Aisha Nakato, a mother of three. “The water has nowhere to go.”
NEMA has issued multiple eviction orders to encroachers, but enforcement remains inconsistent. Corruption, political interference, and lack of alternative housing are blamed for the continued degradation.
Environmental activists are calling for immediate action, including:
Restoration of degraded wetland areas
Clear demarcation and enforcement of protected zones
Investment in green urban planning
As Kampala continues to expand, experts warn that saving its remaining wetlands is not just an ecological necessity, but a survival issue for future generations.
