By Hanning Mbabazi
Kampala: Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called up National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to cancel all titles that were issued to private individuals in Lwera swamp and all wetlands across the country.
Museveni while responding to reports of private individuals acquiring land titles in wetlands and reserved areas such as Bigo Byamugenyi in Sembabule District said, wetlands are part of public land held by the Government in public interest and should never be owned by individuals for selfish gain.
The president made remarks while meeting leaders from greater Masaka at St Henry`s Kitovu grounds on 23 July 2019.
In June 2019, media reported that National Environment Management Authority-NEMA had cleared Chinese investors operating in Lwera to expand their rice fields in the Wetland, in Lukaya Town Council.
In his remarks, the President also urged the greater Masaka leaders to embrace commercialized agriculture and change the traditional way of doing things.
“To sustainably carry out commercial agriculture, you must have sizable landholding. Therefore, I ask you to banish the practice of land fragmentation caused mainly through inheritance upon the passing of the family head,” he said.
He added that “I am specifically encouraged by the testimony of Mr. Kiiza Benon from Sembabule, a dairy farmer who is earning over 10 Million per month from Milk sales.”
Museveni further advised them to let the surviving members of the family share what is produced on the land.
“I ask you to pass on this message to others so that together we can improve the lives of our people,” said Museveni.
According to the president, the journey to transform Uganda has taken long which shouldn’t be the case because people do not have a common understanding/ vision.
“I compare this to what the bible says happened to the children of Israel when God promised to take them to the promised land. While the land of Canaan was not far, they wandered in the desert for 40 years,” he said
Museveni said 62% of what they promised in the NRM manifesto has been implemented although it is largely government activities/roles that they have done.
“What remains now is how to lift the 68% of the population that is outside the money economy,” said Museveni.
Greater Masaka is composed of districts; Masaka, Sembabule, Lwengo, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Lyantonde, Kalangala, and Rakai.
