NatureUganda is actively involved in demarcating and restoring wetlands countrywide. NatureUganda’s approach to wetland conservation centers around advocating for their protection by identifying Ramsar Sites, enhancing the capacity of local communities residing in close proximity to the wetlands to engage in conservation practices, and undertaking efforts to restore degraded wetland systems. Some of NatureUganda’s efforts contributing to wetlands conservation include;
Out of 12 Ramsar Sites in Uganda, NatureUganda has been a major contributor of key information for the designation of 10 Ramsar sites. Looking to the future, we are advocating for the designation of new sites.
Two other sites namely Lake Bunyonyi and Kiyanja wetland have been approved by the national Ramsar committee but await government recommendation to the Ramsar Secretariat.
NatureUganda has financially and technically supported the development of wetland management plans for a number of wetlands. These include Semagimbi wetland, Lake Nabugabo wetland system, Nabajuzi wetland system, Mabamba wetland system and Lutembe wetland system.
NU has developed and implemented restoration plans for a number of wetlands including Kaku-Kiyanja, Rushango, Komuchwezi and associated wetlands in the Mid-Albertine Rift. Restoration activities undertaken included demarcation using concrete pillars, re-vegetation and provision of alternative livelihood to various wetland user groups.
NatureUganda continues to be an active player in informing and influencing the formulation of Environment and Natural Resources policies and strategies in the country. This is based on its wealth of knowledge and information from research and biodiversity assessments as well as advocacy work and implementation of downstream programme for conservation-cum-development. NU is garnering support in order to designate more wetlands as Ramsar sites.
