KAMPALA – The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced plans to conduct a nationwide operation to restore all protected wetlands, urging those engaged in illegal activities to stop without delay.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement was made by Uganda’s environmental watchdog NEMA’s Executive Director, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, who stated that the goal is to restore key ecosystems and reduce flooding in cities around the country.
The NEMA boss, Dr. Barirega, warned that before the operation, anyone living or working in all Environmental Protection Units must leave peacefully and immediately to avoid harsh treatment.
The announcement follows a successful enforcement operation held over the weekend in Hoima City that saw NEMA seize and impound 21 vehicles found being washed illegally inside protected wetlands in Hoima City.
The operation was conducted by the Environment Protection Force in the Albertine Region, which led to the seizure of 10 cars and 11 motorcycles found being washed on the shores of protected swamps.
According to Uganda’s environmental watchdog, the impounded items were handed over to Hoima Central Police Station, where the Environment Protection Police Unit has opened a case file to prosecute the offenders.
The enforcement operation was held in response to an urgent call from Hoima City Council, which had raised alarm over escalating wetland degradation.
City authorities had warned that unregulated car washing activities were not only destroying the environment but also compromising water quality and drainage systems within the rapidly growing oil city.
Environmental experts have long warned that when washing vehicles in wetlands, operators introduce toxic runoff, including detergents, oil, grease, and heavy metals, directly into the ecosystem.
This poisons aquatic life, clogs natural water channels, and undermines the wetlands’ ability to act as natural sponges during heavy rains.
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