Abstract:

Uganda is gifted by nature with a wide variety of natural resources which are the primary drivers of its economic development and transformation. They underpin the livelihoods of our people and their integrity is fundamental to national security and the fabric of society in the country. Wetlands are among the most important natural resources in Uganda. They protect our water resources and sustain agricultural productivity. During the dry seasons, they are the only places where the local communities are able to access pasture for their animals and their fringes support the production of short term crops like vegetables and potatoes for household consumption. They support artisanal fisheries and provide important breeding grounds for large scale fisheries. They also regulate flooding and remove pollutants from storm runoffs before the water enters our lakes, and play a critical role in ensuring the continuous re-charge of our ground water sources. Wetlands are therefore both the lungs and kidneys of our environment and their health is therefore crucial to our very existence. The Sustainable Development Goals, Uganda Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan will not be fully achieved without according these important ecosystems the protection they deserve.