Museveni’s NUP friend Joel Ssenyonyi receives a response from the President on wetlands

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed people who stay and operate in wetlands to vacate them peacefully.
“I have been seeing some scuffle between the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and some people who are in the wetland. My advice to the people in the wetland is that they should all leave peacefully. I have been seeing people commenting that where was NEMA when these people were putting up these buildings? Why didn't they stop them? But why should it be NEMA stopping these people? Don't you have eyes to see a swamp? You don't need NEMA, who doesn't know what a swamp is, why do you need NEMA to stop you as if you are an idiot? But even NEMA should not take on that responsibility, because they don't have enough manpower,” he said.
The President made the remarks today while officiating at the 3rd Annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Conference and Dissemination of the Local Government Management of Service Delivery Report and Parish Development Model (PDM) Implementation held at Speke Resort, Munyonyo.
The two-day conference was attended by Resident District/City Commissioners (RDCs/RCCs), District Chairpersons, City and Municipal Mayors, Government Officials, Development Partners, Private Sector, among others.
It ran under the theme: “Strengthening Localization and Service Delivery Mechanisms for National Development and SDG Acceleration and Transformation”.
According to President Museveni, the only few people in the wetlands whom he offered to help are those in Busoga, Bukedi and Kigezi who were misled by the colonial and some independence governments to go into the swamps.
“They misled our people to go into the Kibimba swamp to grow swamp rice. If you claim that these ones have been there for a long time, how? I fought in the Luwero Triangle, I know every swamp there and when I was capturing Kampala, nobody was in the swamp. All these people have gone in the swamps knowingly and because of the collusion of the local leaders. What I want NEMA to explain to me is why they have never held the Parish Chiefs, the Gombolola Chiefs and the GISOs accountable, what are those people doing?” he wondered.
President Museveni further explained that encroaching on wetlands has adverse effects such as desertification.
“Uganda will become a desert, can we afford that? It affects the rain; 40 percent of the rain we get is from wetlands. It also affects our ability for irrigation. Our plan is to stabilise agriculture through irrigation but where shall we get water for irrigation if the people have dried the wetlands? You who are in the swamps, you are threatening us, you want Uganda to become a desert and don't want us to have water for irrigation. Those wetlands are a source of wealth because they have resources like grass for mulching, papyrus, mudfish, among others. It also filters water,” he said.
On the other hand, President Museveni urged that the much-desired SDGs can only be achieved if societies undergo socio-economic transformation.
The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges the world face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
“If you look at my speech sometime back, I told some people that in my view, there's no way you can get those SDGs without the socio-economic transformation,” he said.
President Museveni however revealed that the socio-economic transformation can also be achieved if adults actively get involved in the four sectors of the economy which include commercial agriculture, industry/manufacturing, services and ICT.
“In order to have the transformation, you also need infrastructure. You should emphasise this. When we were in Nairobi the other day, when the World Bank called us there with President Ruto, I told them that all these things you talk about like sustainable development but without dealing with the infrastructure, you are not serious. How will you support factories if you don't have electricity? How will you support production without cheap transport like the railway? That is very crucial, and we are going to sort that out,” he said.
Furthermore, the President decried the high level of corruption in the country which cripples development. He however rallied Ugandans to work hand in hand in order to ensure that the vice is successfully dealt with.
“The biggest problem we have now is corruption. This corruption is not happening on the moon, it's happening here in the district, sub county and a constituency. Of course, now, I have opened a war on the corrupt so be sure that you are not in my gunsight. We cannot let our people down,” he said.

[@lordrex3824]

Talk abt the same reason as Sudhir is pouring soil on the lake... 2mbav

[@kisabenson8019]

But there are many rich people who have reclaimed swamps and built big hotels. Mr. President, Joel added a stament; " there is double standard when it comes to NEMA activeness, for instance why was stabex spared in the middle yet it is one of the newest establisments there. Sudhir is reclaiming lake Victoria, we have started receiving tornados resulting from sand mining, there is a rich mukiga who has reclaimed a swamp/water and built Arches gardens in kisaasi-kisota zone causing terrible floods and many more, the concern here is, Mr. President can we help NEMA identify more establishments in wetlands that need to be demolished. Some are clapping hands for there, yet they own such buildings but can't tell you the truth sir.

[@dumbasiraje1834]

Muzei you should also go for people like Sudhir and other investors who have raided wetlands and swamps.

[@user-ux8oo4vq2k]

What if they ( the like of Sudirs) are doing the encroachment on their behalves? ( those who own the country), what do you expect?😢😭😭😭

[@IbandaCharles]

When I was young we had Butamira forest in jinja which was given to kakira factory,is that conservation of our environment?

[@Edmondpro15]

Stop the Chinese cultivating rice in a wetlands in masaka

[@mbogKyana]

Museveni musiyazi

[@Abcdxyz11534]

​@@mbogKyanaVva kunjagga musiyazi gwe. Mwe abagwaagwa ba nup mwe abaasiyazi. Genda oyoze knicker za kyagulatakko.

[@KayongoStephen-pc3pb]

​@@Abcdxyz11534Kyagulanyi mwesonyiwe gwe mazi tako

[@Abcdxyz11534]

@@KayongoStephen-pc3pb Genda kyagulatakko akulye etakko. Omale olye emizzi gye.

[@Abcdxyz11534]

@@KayongoStephen-pc3pb Genda olye amazzi gakyagulatakko.

[@stevensonssevume3688]

Mr. President, let every person then who have encroached the swamps leave them, no matter who they are

[@TumwebazeMariam-uy3ib]

Imagine star bex and that one of kambukya and rufura kamutabishenyire

[@namutebinoel8894]

What about forests ? Replacing them with pine n eucalyptus trees ?

[@winniegraceonziru528]

When are the rest of the buildings in the wetlands of Kampala being demolished?

[@denodennis8871]

I think some thing should be done for these people living in wetlands atleast the government should get them places where they can settle

[@asiremoses1559]

But Mr president, when was NEMA born? 1. Has NEMA started to work today? When we're they commissioned? 2. I request Mr president to check the working schedule of NEMA and promote the minister concerned. Imagine some homes have been there since you came into power..

[@nabothmutaahi112]

The good thing with swenkuru can give level😂😂😂

[@kyabimeddy6696]

And you even laugh and support it wen the rich are left in the swamps. Let's leave politics aside at times and think beyond please

[@edwardgameofthrones4415]

The way this man says 1960 😂😂😂 oyinza okugamba it was 3 years back

[@vinl100]

The bigger question is Stabex 😂

[@musinguziananias4682]

Senyonyi(Enyonyi 🐦) 😂😂😂

[@leahlisa3203]

...not bird...but machine!

[@paultumwesigye1134]

,😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@HTKFODEN]

Kati mbu muzeei tamannyi Ssennyonnyi Joel as he's introducing him 😅😂

[@mpaalifoodcourt8084]

they know nti its a wetland but the people you are talking of are no so informed of the wetland. this goes back to the Govt to ensure that the wanainki get lectures on the dangers of settling in wetlands. emisomo gyetagisa eri abantu bano. before nga tonagamba tebalina maaso, Gone are the days when everyone was expected to have that logic thinking. But in this era where we are very informed we have learnt that there are people who don´t see things logically, in this case who needs help. but when the president articulates that "Dont they have eyes" it really upsets me. We truly need to educate our people in every aspect of life.

[@lwetutemartin6829]

But who had given up the forest, mabira forest

[@bonfacetitus6459]

Its very important to adhere presidential directives about the wetlands for safe lives of Ugandans

[@mukalaziben9922]

Senyonyi Enyonyi😂

[@MorisddembeOkiru]

What of the lake sudiru is taking away

[@TumwebazeFelex]

People in Saudi Arabia are dieing of hot weather, appreciation for preservation of wet lands, thanks your excellency

[@mbogKyana]

Wayonka kumbolo, omanyi eyo embizi kyekola enyanjja

[@nathangumisiriza7485]

You can make a point without abusing ​@@mbogKyana

[@Kwhen]

Does Saudi Arabia issue permits to construct in non gazzeted areas ?

[@muhammedkatula3805]

Why sudirup not touched

[@TumwebazeFelex]

@@muhammedkatula3805 matter of time

[@NakiyembaMiria]

Thanks Mr president 🙏 naye nze nsaba buyambi ndi single mother nina abaana( 5)batano nsaba government enyambe school fees wa mwana omu Ali mu secondary school .

[@abelmukisa3900]

😅Museveni's reasoning is like he want to win an argument 😂

[@nambajegodfrey9541]

Why is M7 giving it to Chinese, to put factories, and plant rice and marijuana, Why should he confuse people,

[@rayonconsults353]

This man looses touch. Lets talk about Mbale industrial pack, Namanve, Mukono, etc, where forests what happened. I think the government should not be selective on its environmental protection policy

[@veekay9900]

His question is valid, you should have known the purpose of wetlands before they built there and managed the situation. You are reactive and not proactive.

[@estherbraunstein3424]

Ekisilani ekyo avoid him evil criminal Museveni busy lying the world

[@kodsafety]

Why is it that Starbex keeps constructing in swamps, here jinja opposite wanyama road, that station is a swamp, please Nema, quickly that station should be removed

[@user-qi2vf8bq4f]

Bible tell us to love each other, mr president in your uganda u hv both fools n wise, the prob is the way nema is using to shift ugandans, very heartless, mr president try to have mercy, yr govnt hv money to take care

[@kigandachristopher8883]

If UNRA can put roads reserves posts, why can't NEMA do?....isn't Namanve a swampy area??....Ugandans wake up from these soft lies....Twagala kabaka waffe.

[@sserunkumahenry]

We due respect to his excellency,how about factories that are constructed in swamps like namanve and others where they don't or have very few trees planted isn't this enhancing more pollution.Think about it too in addition to their waste non treated and drained into our water bodies.

[@kigandachristopher8883]

He seems to be talking to young kids😂😂😂.....I don't understand if really Hell is there because these kind of people are so shameless.

[@stevensonssevume3688]

The selective actions against a few is what leaves us with a lot questions. Let Garden city, Stabex, part of Munyonyo speak resort and many others also be dealt with the same way the poor people in Rubigi and Nabweru have been dealt with

[@PeninahNatukunda-yg8hb]

Those employ abig number of people

[@mwanjeemmanuel5866]

Even if the Law should ensure equality

[@natsebagodfrey1500]

Surely your Excellency. We cannot afford to destroy nature. I remember when I was in Nairobi and the same was done and one of the victims said that rain comes from heaven but not from the wetlands.

[@user-fb7mb4wp9m]

Enyonyi

[@godsplan537]

😂

[@Dr.lukwagoAsuman]

It means a Bird or an Aeroplane.

[@leahlisa3203]

...machine!

[@niyitegekaalex]

We can't forget to ask where was NEmA because this what they are paid to do . My other questions are about these INDIAN and CHiNESE factories which are in swamps and no one is touching them.leteverything in swamps be Destroyed as the order says

[@baligeyamohamed3087]

Truth is M7 is oli mutuufu nnyo. Am old enough to remember M7 complain again and again to people going in wetlands especially investors nga agamba nti are they swamp reclaimers/destroyers? Era on many occasions govt has warned people against the destruction of wetlands

[@tumusantrina2055]

Thank you Mr president turina empuntu kyekizibu 😢😢😢

[@NimrodWamukota]

Mputuki nawe, how about sudir pouring the soil on lake Victoria why can't they stop him as well

[@mwanjeemmanuel5866]

What's the consequence of building industries in swamps

[@shamiekuzz5045]

Which tribe are u, according to ur tribe you can't be hurt😢

[@tumusantrina2055]

@@shamiekuzz5045 is tribe needed here

[@yuttiboi]

May be your not a uganda oli munyarwanda

[@richieepicmusicministry8135]

This man us so disrespectful

[@petersimonnbwire7291]

When did we realize this? After garden city, numerous industries along Kampala Mukono, etc??

[@namutaliaspon2597]

But where should these people go pliz especially the poor

[@geofreysemakula6643]

Ehh. Why do we have police in a country of 99% of sound mind?

[@akatukwatsaernest8470]

That's my President, Mr Museveni

[@jizzotheking9238]

Enyonyi😀😀

[@shakmathew8630]

There are 2 big questions not one,the desertification question is equally big as the acquisition of land and developing it in the swamps, if NEMA couldn't stop both those two,it shouldn't show up at all in demolition as the ultimate solution to the desertification,atleast those to demolish people's property shouldn't call themselves NEMA.

[@henrymutesa7222]

Big lie here at wakiso Ganda kyebando parish Ganda village. they told us u hv send 5millions to every parish and only 5 people received it.others we got nothing but prime minister say we hv be4 president that recieved money , that's lie

[@menccharles4055]

The Oldman is olding

[@user-gv7ed1sc1t]

I support you

[@NaigagaNuru]

Or or or mi at might God bless you

[@muyambigerald6228]

But senyonyi was right bcz many pipo saying was there for 20yrs back and where was NEMA by then?.there was old woman of 90yrs saying was there for many yrs.

[@bagumabrian4784]

Talk about it,in munyinyo soils are being powered in the lake daily as well in Entebbe at kitubulu.

[@damians9]

Double standards, pure!

[@NgobiWilson-ub1yw]

Stabex in swamp, National drug authority in swamp and many others

[@user-uc8jd8qr2h]

Mr Museveni are you talking out of your mind or in control of your mind?? SHAME: SHAME UGANDA TOTALLY I N DANGER

[@TumwebazeMariam-uy3ib]

all so police mwagirekawo just you like to sea people died God bless u Sebo

[@TumwebazeFelex]

Thanks your excellency for always making us understand

[@ronniemusoke1706]

How many human being are in you?why do you use the word us?

[@jeffkyle9631]

What did you understand?

[@GeorgeWilliam-c6x]

I think the government of Uganda should started with the potholes then after Neymar should work also. when people of Uganda the have nice roads than breaking their home to be homeless,

[@farukutebusweke6875]

Who doesn't know tht this is a Wetland 😂😂? Everyone knows but those ar poor Ugandan, u need to hv mercy on thm.

[@nyikirizesimon309]

Our own Richard rwabuhiinga live #Toro❤#

[@richardwalusimbi337]

If you can just answer his question it could make a lot of competent leadership.

[@masabamutalechristopher6436]

My president waking up at 80 years. Better late than never.

[@NgobiWilson-ub1yw]

Give compensation plz

[@solomonkihumuro]

Then don't be selective if these directives are to have meaning. We appreciate God for the gift of wetlands, let's learn from how are rich countries utilize these resources beyond climate.

[@Talyakajoseph256]

What about NAMANVE industrial park which are fully built in the swamp? Mr president talk about it.

[@lubegaabdallahbolt7199]

Wabula Mzei joel,,,!!!

[@odariyoweri7527]

Thx president

[@AhmedMukibi-to3dy]

The questions is what about the factories

[@user-dd8ix9pp1g]

Does he reading on the paper also 😂? But Nup olemwa 😂

[@ronniemusoke1706]

Muzei,the best word for Ttossi would be ´mud´not soil.

[@namutaliaspon2597]

in namanve, people have factories in swamps

[@sekhihamis5129]

Remove boarders jaja for Africa. Try to unity Africa. U belong to all in Africa

[@jimmybillyayuruO]

But Ssenyonyi's claim wasn't bad coz some of these people av been there for so long if one person can take 500M then y don't the govt compensate those affected person atleast

[@kamukamaronald2489]

It's true they don't have eyes how can you buy a plot emitwaro kumi!!!!, the NEMA must be serious

[@abb8]

Muzeyi God loves you so much but all so me i love we play for u

[@ronniemusoke1706]

Haha,tell us where you have met God and informed you that he loves him.

[@jeffkyle9631]

Tell God to take him and you since he loves you.

[@busujjudemofarm]

M7 are you sure that no other people gonna occupy that land?

[@alexandermuhangi944]

How many factories are in swamps in Uganda???????

[@edgarbutare7126]

Sudhir reclaimed a whole village of a swamp at Bukoto, nsimbiziwome area. Begin with that one...

[@bumbalatifu2814]

Chinese are building factories in a swamp but they are living them why

[@user-pt9gb7xp6h]

Amen

[@Mukubonga2021]

This old man with a hat from Rwakyitura 😂😂😂😂

[@yuttiboi]

Fenna ensi twagyisangawo ela tujjakugyilekawo

[@janebonvin636]

Lwera mabira Namanve. Just name it😮 Kisozi for UPDF

[@muwanguzinathan1124]

But still some fools are asking the same stupid question mbu why big names are still there in the swamps? The question is is it okay to leave the wetlands to be destroyed

[@DavidJuliusBuyela]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@yuttiboi]

Rip president Idi Amin Dada

[@mwanjeemmanuel5866]

Unfortunately you've realised it after 40 years it's too late

[@kihimbamushyaibrahim7284]

Point of correction his an MP mr president not as you said it is that the way we addressMPsanyway!!you should address the issues where others are having hundreds of acres of land, poor distribution of lands 40 years No plan even you cant say which street you live in no house numbers! Thats our 50 yearsince independence!rich people are in swampy areas!!the first lady Golf is constructed on swampy and many so claimed investors!!problem your not addressing why poor people buy those poor places!!No museveni family leaves on swampy why your rich you can afford hill areas we poor ugandans we choose those cheaper places!!did Mr M7 think how much those poor ugandans put ,from buying to construction thats the problem with age!and over stay in power He doesnt care and some old men are just loughing I remain strong Ugandan who seek change and NEMA one day will pay our homes!!

[@user-tj5rh4ie8r]

Imagine m7 what is NEMA

[@KizitoJuma-ql1no]

Nowulila bwayasa

[@habiibahkabenge8627]

Enviroment under yr regim is the worst

[@bamutyamudathirkiiza483]

I think we need to run an exhibition for developed wetlands by regime investors, rich men and friends of the regime

[@NakakandeSharon-xz9st]

What is the biggest issue in uganda is it swamps oŕ poverty u have brought to uganda

[@dembekalule]

His stack in the past

[@mistalova1000]

Shoshol=social🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️👴🏿👴🏿👴🏿🥴

[@user-fm2co1cl9j]

For how long hv the people stayed in wat you call swamps temuba ate bajega namwe you freely killing pipo for nothing 😭

[@bamutyamudathirkiiza483]

When I see people clapping, I even doubt if they're human beings in Uganda. Investors are given wetlands and nationals are brutalized. Nonsense

[@johnboscotiberindwa9248]

Banu abantu balya mere ki? Abandi baikariire mgu bakuhuliliza omwebembezi na'bza ebitarimu. Timukamanyaga nti batufuulingabufuulinga? Byoona bisuba. Basaijamivule niwe wenka yabalize amananu.

[@richieepicmusicministry8135]

So teargas was a directive from you boss

[@tonnyowiny8750]

We are very lucky to have you papa . very visionary leader.may God give you more time dear president.

[@salimacitta894]

Amen

[@tonnyowiny8750]

The president is doing all this to secure our future and that of our grandkids as was the theme of NRM campaign in 2021.we as citizens need to give him support

[@AdaiMubarik-dr9wr]

You and who

[@ToureSpeenBin111]

on the 40yrs u have spent in governance isnt now NEMA..came in