President Yoweri Museveni has instructed Chinese investors to immediately cease the practice of growing rice in wetlands.
The President has also demanded the cancellation of land titles issued to Chinese companies in Lwera and other areas to grow rice in wetlands.
Museveni was officiating the FAO-China tenth anniversary at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, on Tuesday morning.
Mr. Director General [Yi Yang] these people grow rice in from the Nile tributaries. What they call swamps, are actually Nile tributaries,” he said emphasizing that “No more swamp rice.”
The president said wetlands are part of public land which should not be owned by individuals for their selfish interests. He accused the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of negligence and failure to guide investors.
Museveni indicated that he would offer to pull water from the tributaries since swamp rice is very dangerous. Museveni blamed the current massive flooding in different parts of the country on environmental degradation.
President Museveni recently also directed all concerned authorities to ensure that people who invaded wetlands in Luweero District leave with immediate effect.
Uganda has lost over 30% of the wetlands. The declining capacity for wetlands to provide critical ecosystem services has resulted; increased flooding, Reduced productivity, Silting of water bodies effect on fisheries and increased water treatment costs for the national water supply agency.
