Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Existing Legal Provisions on Wetlands in Kampala

 Nambooze Sheila Sebuliba

School of Law, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

This article evaluates the effectiveness of the existing legal provisions on wetlands in Kampala city of Uganda. The article reviewed that the continued encroachment and degradation of Kampala’s wetlands has taken place despite protective policies for several reasons. The lack of resources and political will have left them vulnerable to short-term development interests. The national wetland policy remains too large and inflexible to apply at the local government level. It is against this backdrop that the article calls for government organizations such as NEMA and the Wetland Management Department to make several changes in how wetland policies are executed. First, they need to work together to implement policy’ in unison and make sure resources are not being overspent on one area but spread evenly. Second, they need to refine policy and make sure it can be applied to the community level instead of just the national level. More so, stakeholders and those who live on or near wetlands need to become aware of how to properly and sustainably use a wetland. They need to be briefed on wise use methods of wetland protection so that they can live safely near wetlands and also feel empowered by their conservation.

Keywords: Environmental protection, Government, Penalties, Residents, Wetland

CITE AS: Nambooze Sheila Sebuliba (2024).Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Existing Legal Provisions on Wetlands in Kampala. IAA Journal of Arts and Humanities 11(3):67-73. https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJAH/2024/11.6773.33.11