President, Yoweri Museveni has discouraged the construction of additional factories in wetlands.
The President says wetlands are best left the way they are because building on them blocks water flow, which can lead to severe floods.
He urged all political leaders and responsible authorities to maintain decent environmental practices to reject further construction of more factories in wetlands.
President Museveni made the remarks while addressing journalists at Jinja State Lodge on Tuesday.
Museveni, however, noted that for factories already constructed in wetland areas, canals should be improvised around them to have an organized and proper flow of water.
Museveni said the government is considering undertaking studies to advance environmental conservation due to the increasing industrialization in the country.
The President also reiterated the need to completely desist from growing rice in wetlands saying its entirely destructive to the environment.
In November while officiating the FAO-China tenth anniversary at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, President Yoweri Museveni outrightly ordered the cancellation of land titles issued to Chinese companies in Lwera and other areas to grow rice in wetlands.
Museveni instead advised rice to be grown in dryland or irrigation rice practices.
Uganda loses about 2% of the wetlands annually, which is equivalent to 751.7 square kilometers countrywide. This affects the population as well as the animals that depend on these wetlands for food and sometimes shelter.
This results in increased flooding, Reduced productivity, Adverse effects on fisheries among others.
