Security officials in Kagadi District have destroyed more than 20 acres of crops planted in various wetlands within the district.
The crops, including maize, cabbages, sugarcane, rice, yams, and beans, were destroyed on Wednesday in an operation led by Kagadi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lilian Ruteraho. She was accompanied by officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kagadi District Environment Office.
The operation targeted Hemu and Wabituju wetlands in Nyankubebe and Kisura villages, Bwikara Sub-county, where encroachers had cleared the wetlands for cultivation.
Ruteraho explained that the destruction of crops is part of the district’s efforts to restore degraded wetlands. She emphasized that her office, in collaboration with NEMA, will remove all illegal structures, plants, and crops from wetlands, close drainage channels, and enforce evictions.
Despite previous eviction notices and community sensitization, the encroachment on wetlands persisted, prompting the drastic measures. The RDC warned that the operation will cover the entire district to comply with a presidential directive.
Section 36 of the National Environment Act empowers authorities to demolish any structure on a wetland. The Act also mandates districts to manage wetlands and demarcate their boundaries.
Following the crop destruction, nine suspects accused of encroaching on the wetlands were arrested on Tuesday evening. They are currently detained at Kagadi Central Police Station. The suspects are Rachel Alishaba, Agnes Ninsiima, Rachel Kamukama, Omuhereza Kemigisha, Omuhereza Akugizibwe, Donozio Bagonza, Robinah Atuhairwe, Florence Tukahirwa, and one identified as Tusiime, all residents of Kisura and Nyankubebe villages.
