Stumbling Blocks in Wetland Conservation in Uganda: Evaluating Wakiso District's Role in the Setback of World Wetlands Day 2024 Celebrations

The bay at Mabamba, which would have been the venue for World Wetlands Day celebrations in Uganda, poised to host over 700 community members.

World Wetlands Day 2024 clebration in Uganda should have been a day of joyful celebration in the vibrant Mabamba wetland ecosystem. However, for Green Lens International, it turned into a stark reminder of the challenges that continue to impede our vital conservation efforts.

Our planned activities, designed to engage the local community and school children in wetland conservation, were met with unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and disheartening encounters with corruption within the Wakiso District Local Government. Permits and approvals were inexplicably delayed, the decision-making process became an exercise in frustration, and our enthusiasm, along with that of the community and our partners, was dampened.

But the true blow came from individuals within the very system entrusted with protecting our natural resources. We were intimidated, threatened with disruptions using security personnel, and faced tactics that reeked of corruption. This is not just an attack on Green Lens International; it's an attack on the very principles of environmental justice and sustainable development.

The wetland serves as a source of livelihood for the communities, offering opportunities such as eco-tourism and fishing among others.

This incident lays bare the complex and often fraught relationship between conservation and political power. The misguided perception that environmental initiatives can be politicized creates a concerning disconnect between leadership and the urgent need for ecological stewardship. We urge our leaders to prioritize environmental justice, to remove politics from natural resource management, and to recognize the critical role wetlands play in the well-being of our communities and our nation.

Our frustration extends beyond the realm of bureaucracy and corruption. The insistence on outdated methods, such as paper-based communication, not only slows down progress but also contributes to the very environmental degradation we strive to prevent. We call for embracing technological advancements to streamline processes and minimize our environmental footprint.

Mabamba Bay Wetland System is home to the globally threatened shoebill and over 300 other bird species, justifying the need for stronger wetland conservation efforts. Photo by Nelly Salvatore

World Wetlands Day may have been marred by these disheartening experiences, but they have only strengthened our resolve. We remain steadfast in our dedication to wetland conservation, and we urge everyone to join us in demanding better practices and a commitment to environmental justice from our leaders. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for Uganda's natural resources and the communities that depend on them.

Let us celebrate World Wetlands Day not just by recognizing the importance of these ecosystems, but by taking action to ensure their protection. Let us raise our voices, demand transparency and accountability, and work together to build a future where conservation takes center stage and the environment is valued for the vital role it plays in our lives.

Join us. Be the change. Together, let's ensure a brighter future for Uganda's wetlands.