ON CALL: Gender Minister Betty Amongi Meets Oyam District Leadership Over Wetlands Conservation

By Our Reporter

OYAM, Uganda{SHIFT MEDIA} The Minister for Gender Labor and Social Development Hon Betty Amongi has joined Oyam District leaders in implementing the presidential directives on wetlands preservation.

The Oyam South Member of Parliament was on a fact finding visit to the district on Sunday January 28 2023.

She was received at Aber Sub county by the RDC Oyam Rtd ASP Hope Atuhaire.

Betty Amongi later held a consultative meeting with the Stakeholders that included Sub County leadership and the lower local leaders, the Environmental Focal person,  as well as the representative of the DPC Oyam.

The RDC said the purpose of the meeting was to guide the leaders on matters of wetlands conservations: what are wetlands? What are the permissible usages of wetlands? How can the communities know the boundaries? Why should the wetlands be restored, preserved and protected?  The Environmental  focal  person took the leaders through these and the  laws, Policy and the guidelines regarding wetlands usage.

Hon Amongi told the district leaders that it is the resposibility of all Ugandans to safeguard the wetlands in order to have a safe environment. She also guided that the technical teams should move with the communities to the wetlands of Acampar and show them the exact areas  that majorly need protection and those that can be freely cultivated.

While addressing the leaders Hon Amongi emphasised the directive by the President of the Republic of Uganda that all Leaders must be responsible for the protection and preservation of all  wetlands.

She notes that  the permissible activities in wetlands include Tourism, fish farming, bee-keeping, grazing among others.