Namutumba Farmers' Wetland Encroachment Worsens Climate Vulnerability

Farmers in Namutumba District are engaging in practices that significantly heighten their vulnerability to climate change, according to local officials and environmentalists. The clearing of wetlands for rice cultivation and the felling of trees to expand land for groundnut farming are primary contributors to the district’s environmental challenges.

District Chairperson David Mukisa highlighted that these activities are directly linked to the increasing frequency and severity of droughts, leading to declining soil fertility and unpredictable harvests. “When you cut all the trees, automatically what comes out is to see that drought is the end result,” Mukisa stated during the Climate Justice Week of Action.

Environmentalist Eva Namaganda echoed these concerns, noting the detrimental impact of artificial fertilizers used in groundnut cultivation on soil health. She advocates for the use of natural alternatives to preserve soil fertility. Namaganda also pointed out that rice farming is putting undue pressure on wetlands, with farmers encroaching on areas not suitable for cultivation.

To mitigate these impacts, residents are urged to protect existing wetlands and engage in reforestation efforts. However, leaders emphasize that these measures alone are insufficient. Increased investment in irrigation systems is crucial to enable farmers to sustain food production during dry seasons.

Calls are also being made for greater government support and the effective allocation of climate financing. ActionAid Country Director Samuel Ntale stressed the importance of translating global climate commitments into tangible community-level interventions. He also pointed out that Uganda’s debt servicing obligations divert funds that could otherwise be used to address climate-related shocks and build resilience within vulnerable communities.