Uganda Gives 30 Days to Restore Critical Urban Wetlands

Uganda is pressing pause on wetland evictions to give residents and businesses a peaceful path forward.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) announced a 30-day grace period starting June 8, 2026, allowing people occupying protected wetlands across Kampala to voluntarily relocate. The decision came after consultations with the Ministry of Water and Environment and city officials, marking a notable shift from recent forced removals that demolished structures and displaced hundreds.

The grace period covers major wetland systems including Lubigi, Namuwongo, Luzira, Bugolobi, Kansanga, and several others throughout the capital. These ecosystems are critical for flood control, water purification, and climate resilience in a rapidly growing city.

NEMA has been working to restore wetlands that have suffered illegal development over the years. Recent operations demolished buildings in the Lubigi Wetland System and Busabala, sparking heated public debate about enforcement methods and the hardship faced by displaced families.

The 30-day window represents a more collaborative approach. During this period, joint teams will map encroached areas and issue restoration orders while helping people relocate peacefully rather than through demolitions.

The Ripple Effect

This grace period could set a new standard for balancing environmental protection with human dignity. By choosing dialogue over demolition, Uganda is showing that restoration doesn't have to mean devastation for families caught in the middle.

The protected wetlands serve communities far beyond those living in them. They act as natural sponges during heavy rains, preventing the catastrophic flooding that has plagued Kampala in recent years. They filter water naturally, support biodiversity, and provide cooling in an increasingly hot climate.

Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, NEMA's Executive Director, has emphasized that the restoration campaign follows environmental law and relies on data to protect ecosystems that matter for public health. The authority maintains its actions aim to save wetlands before they're lost forever to concrete and development.

The approach also addresses criticism that previous operations were too harsh or selective. By working with Kampala Capital City Authority to facilitate orderly evacuation, NEMA is demonstrating that environmental protection and compassion can coexist.

When the grace period ends, enforcement will resume under the National Environment Act. But this 30-day pause offers something previous operations didn't: time, dignity, and the chance for people to make their own choices about what comes next.

Uganda is proving that protecting the planet and protecting people don't have to be opposing goals.