NEMA resumes wetland evictions

This follows a weeks-long grace period and an outpouring of criticisms and petitions by the affected communities.

The evictions were launched back in May to restore degraded wetlands, with a target to restore up to 5025 hectares of wetland.

At the time of the suspension of the evictions over 214 houses had been rased down out of the 315 which got restoration orders around the Lubigi wetland area.

Mr Akankwasa Barirega, the NEMA Executive Director has now announced that the evictions are returning in full force after the a temporary halt

“We shall have operations covering areas of the unfinished businesses in Nansana, Nabweru and Nambigirwa on Entebbe Road,” announced the ED.

Other areas where several houses have been issued with restoration orders include Ganda, Bwaise, Kyengera, Bira, Kawempe, Kira, Kinawataka, Nakawa and parts of Wakiso.

In July, NEMA was forced to halt the eviction after receiving multiple petitions from communities which claimed being wrongfully issued with eviction notices.

Barirega said reviewing of these petitions is still ongoing.

He however, advised all who have recieved notices to use the grace period to leave voluntarily.

“Those who don't leave peacefully we shall have to unconvincing them, which is not something that we desire,” he added.

Even those returning to the restored areas have been warned that they risk facing restoration costs.