Continued encroachment on water reservoirs and natural resources have contributed to the current climate change problems. NEMA says.
KAMPALA-UGANDA: The environmental watchdog National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has encouraged people living near the water reservoirs to Vacate before the environment enforces its natural laws.
This was revealed by the NEMA Executive Director Mr. Barirega Akankwasah while addressing the media at the Uganda Media Center as the several parts of the globe including countries in East Africa are suffering from the effects of rising lake water levels.
Barirega said that the continued encroachment on water reservoirs like wetlands and other natural resources like forests has contributed to the current climate charge problems thus urging people not to wait to be evicted.
“We call upon people to vacate the wetlands, River Banks, and lake Shores before the environment enforces the law, in addition to the government enforcing the Law, those are illegal settlements, they should evacuate only come to do fisheries on landing sites and then go to stay home after” said Barirega Akankwasah.
The Minister of Water and Environment, Hon. Sam Cheptoris said that at the moment the water levels at Lake Victoria have risen to 13.66 meters compared to 2020 when the heavy rains spark and water levels reached to 13.50 meters.
The Minister attributed the raising of water levels to Climate change, describing it as the highest level ever recorded in the country’s history.
Min. Hon. Sam Cheptoris further confirmed that the cabinet has approved 5.5 billion shillings to address the challenges of rising water levels in the country.
