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

[@mugerwaduncan2044]

So because Sudhir is doing it, does it make it right for every one to do???

[@خديجهال-ف7س]

Actually mbade nzize kwogera kino kyenyini good point

[@خديجهال-ف7س]

​@@mugerwaduncan2044kale wulila emondo

[@mugerwaduncan2044]

@@خديجهال-ف7س debate with respect

[@dumbasiraje1834]

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

[@ARONOKWIR-s1t]

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

[@namutebinoel8894]

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

[@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

[@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

[@MorisddembeOkiru]

What of the lake sudiru is taking away

[@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..

[@mukalaziben9922]

Senyonyi Enyonyi😂

[@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.

[@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

[@jizzotheking9238]

Enyonyi😀😀

[@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.

[@edwardgameofthrones4415]

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

[@petals8657]

I have never seen a fool.like this man, instead of holding Neema accountable for corruption and negligence . He is blaming the poor people . May God bless our country because at this rate we need God .

[@HTKFODEN]

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

[@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

[@petersimonnbwire7291]

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

[@bagumabrian1997]

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

[@NambiroAnet]

I support you

[@MugenyiJohnmary]

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

[@bonfacetitus6459]

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

[@NaigagaNuru]

Or or or mi at might God bless you

[@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

[@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,

[@estherbraunstein3424]

Ekisilani ekyo avoid him evil criminal Museveni busy lying the world

[@alexandermuhangi944]

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

[@rugumayofrancis8327]

Really muzee Really sorry muzee

[@TumwebazeMariam-uy3ib]

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

[@estherbraunstein3424]

Kasita I nawe Ssenyonyi kakutandise

[@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

[@namutaliaspon2597]

in namanve, people have factories in swamps

[@Talyakajoseph256]

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

[@DeaconRonyoAjak]

Amen

[@yuttiboi]

Rip president Idi Amin Dada

[@richieepicmusicministry8135]

This man us so disrespectful

[@NakibomboAidah]

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

[@lubegaabdallahbolt7199]

Wabula Mzei joel,,,!!!

[@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

[@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

[@katusiimemuzamil8403]

Mzee.. u just ask Senyonyi is his house in swamp? Is semuju in the seamp? Is a bobi in the swamp? So... tney should be kicked out?

[@menccharles4055]

The Oldman is olding

[@farukutebusweke6875]

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

[@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

[@bannahmayanja9049]

Rutabaisirwa kalechezi tibaisiro Mazzi ga Janet Museven a refugee from Rwanda Butare free all innocent political prisoners n stop killing Ugandans and Congolese

[@kamukamaronald2489]

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

[@rugumayofrancis8327]

Cell Royal palms 2 left

[@NgobiWilson-ub1yw]

Give compensation plz

[@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.

[@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

[@mistalova1000]

Shoshol=social🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️👴🏿👴🏿👴🏿🥴

[@nakizitosarah3841]

Okoye wumula

[@dembekalule]

His stack in the past

[@Epgnosis]

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

[@KizitoJuma-ql1no]

Nowulila bwayasa

[@AbahoBenon-y1d]

You're right Mr president

[@TRUSTASERI]

Imagine m7 what is NEMA

[@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

[@lindahkisakye7446]

We need kabaka back to the kingdom Why making the poor to kill them selves please Those who are laughing is it necessary 😮😮😮😮

[@JamesB-w1u]

Sudhil is reclaiming land in the lake, are you not aware? Massive sand mining by the Chinese, are you not aware?

[@ocengdenis9624]

Ssenyonyi Enyonyi

[@yuttiboi]

Stop nonsense

[@ocengdenis9624]

@@yuttiboi You tell M7 that.

[@abelmukisa3900]

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

[@arthurtusingwire1173]

was enyonyi really necessary 😕

[@masabamutalechristopher6436]

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

[@PaviaSsevume-o3l]

Nosenceèeee

[@katusiimemuzamil8403]

It's cheap to buy...

[@kalumbagilbert9227]

Whr was NEMA when those people were building. I think there has to be a plan for those people. Uganda is a 3rd world country. Destroying people's houses is just taking us backwards. This is a disgrace. People have to be sensitized and educated. This is so unfair .those people crying with kids someone has to pay.

[@NakakandeSharon-xz9st]

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

[@mugishaallan2673]

Thank you Mr.president 😊

[@bashirmugisa3379]

The most active president YKM

[@janebonvin636]

Talkative just

[@bishopsamuel6962]

So swaps r the biggest problem of uganda?? U really disappoint

[@ToureSpeenBin111]

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

[@GeorgeWilliam-c6x]

George William

[@AdolfSolomon-h4w]

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

[@abahoJoseph-w6n]

Francis i don't think your doing well in your family if you have family any way 100% people likes to blame others but it's you?? you can not to make everyone happy

[@wakabibenard3209]

It's very true Mr president, if wetlands are not protected sooner than later we shall have desert which is very hard to survive in thse developing countries like Uganda

[@richieepicmusicministry8135]

So you wetlands than the people you leader

[@JamesTamale-xs8pn]

Kuma maama zako mbichi M7

[@habiibahkabenge8627]

Enviroment under yr regim is the worst

[@PeaceShakila]

Actually museven is left with nothing to tell Ugandans, he still thinks that people ignorant like passed years when he took power

[@rockland2093]

Stop fooling people why did stabex petrol station was left standing why is namanve industrial park in the wetlands why don't you answer that as well

[@bamutyamudathirkiiza483]

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

[@AnnetteNakachwa]

Katusubire nti ne Shudir awulide era ave muntobazi

[@NatukundaEditor-he3lk]

Lng live YKM ❤❤❤❤❤

[@mondayaaron9128]

Viva papa❤ My president

[@janebonvin636]

Bla-bla

[@BwambaleMorris-io6he]

😂😂😂

[@RichardR-xu5xg]

While your busy giving wetlands to rich Indians and Chinese to construct buildings and factories, kwa hiyo upuuzi wako wa kuongea na upuuzi bwana museveni nimegundua kwanini wanasema kuwa wewe ni mchunga ng'ombe mnafanana.

[@wizechris9088]

Mr president no one would willingly love to live in the swamp, where do you want the people to go? Sleeping on streets; you called them idlers and you arrest them, and in the swamp; they are destroying the environment. its no different from population control narrative, killing people to create a better world for few that remains. I have supported u for all these times but u have let me down Mr president.

[@francisodokonyero]

It's totally nonsense to blame independent government office 😢 this wetlands things tarted during your government this is a failed political issues that keep on lying in the head of our childrens 😢 for 37 years 🙄

[@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.

[@winniegraceonziru528]

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

[@TumwebazeMariam-uy3ib]

Imagine star bex and that one of kambukya and rufura kamutabishenyire

[@IbandaCharles]

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

[@makumbuyaviscent2471]

What about the factories, being constructed in wetlands, and swamps, I.e in mukono.by the so called investors.

[@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

[@lwetutemartin6829]

But who had given up the forest, mabira forest

[@vinl100]

The bigger question is Stabex 😂

[@Putin-s3i]

Enyonyi

[@godsplan537]

😂

[@Dr.lukwagoAsuman]

It means a Bird or an Aeroplane.

[@leahlisa3203]

...machine!

[@BekalazeSpire-md6sz]

M7 tuggyeko ajanja mu Lwera ssi lutobazzi? nga temumenyayoTubuulire

[@musinguziananias4682]

Senyonyi(Enyonyi 🐦) 😂😂😂

[@leahlisa3203]

...not bird...but machine!

[@paultumwesigye1134]

,😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂