My Michael Ojok
Uganda loses an estimated 5,000 hectares of wetlands annually, according to the 2024 National Environmental Management Authority-NEMA report.
According to the report released on April, 14, 2026, Uganda lost 7,500 km² of approximately 750,000 wetlands from 2000 to 2021.
The report reveals that Uganda’s wetland coverage has continued to decline from 15.5% in 1994 to 13% by 2017 and 13.9% in 2021 with only 8.9% remaining relatively undisturbed.
The loss has been attributed to increasing human population, agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
In an effort to protect and preserve the wetlands, NEMA has demarcated around 2,500km of wetland boundaries with concrete pillars and live markets such as trees on the boundary.
So far boundaries of 10 wetlands across the country including Aswa wetland system, Tochi wetland systems, and Enyau wetland system among others have been demarcated
According to section 55 of the National Environment Act, 2019 Encroachment into wetlands in Uganda fetches a 12-year-jail term or a fine of UGX 600 million or both.
