environment 18 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Wakiso Wetland Eviction Victims Face Hardship, Seek Compensation
Over 100 families displaced by NEMA's wetland restoration operation in Wakiso are struggling to survive, appealing for compensation or assistance to relocate. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/victims-of-wakiso-wetland-eviction-struggle-to-survive-demand-compensation-5501134
Residents of Busabala in Wakiso District are facing immense hardship following a recent eviction operation by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) aimed at restoring degraded wetlands. The two-day crackdown, involving NEMA, the Ministry of Water and Environment, police, and the military, resulted in the displacement of over 100 families.
Victims like Fred Namuyimbwa, who operated a piggery farm, lost all his structures and is now sharing shelter with his pigs. “The destroyed property is like losing a child; we buried them and are now looking forward to how we get compensated,” Namuyimbwa stated, appealing for well-wishers to help him relocate and establish a new farm. He currently endures harsh weather and the risk of disease in a makeshift pigsty.
Godfrey Lumu, a father of 10, is also starting from scratch after his home was demolished. He expressed the difficulty of finding alternative housing with a large family. Richard Katende lost multiple rental houses and his own home, now sleeping in a tent made from salvaged materials. He believes authorities should target larger investments contributing to wetland degradation before enforcing evictions on smaller occupants.
Some displaced women shared harrowing experiences of lacking privacy, forced to share limited shelter with men at night. Agnes Kadogi described the situation as “very bad,” with children dropping out of school due to the crisis. Margaret Nabukeera highlighted the health concerns for children suffering from cold and mosquito bites, while parents fear leaving their belongings unattended.
The affected families are collectively seeking compensation from the government or intervention from legal bodies like the Uganda Law Society to secure funds for relocation and rebuilding their lives. They claim the land was dry when purchased, but investor activities near Lake Victoria have led to encroaching waters.