Ms. Rosa Malango - The United Nations Resident
Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative
Message on World Wetlands Day 2017
“Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction, Healthy Wetlands
help us cope with extreme weather events”
If you have ever fetched clean water from a lake, river or any other natural water
body you should probably thank a wetland. Wetlands, are like sponges, they hold
this water, filter and purify it before sending it into water bodies.
Today is World Wetlands Day and a great opportunity to learn about the value
and importance of wetlands to Ugandans and Uganda. As a natural sponge,
wetlands also absorb and store excess rainfall reducing flooding. This stored
water is then released during the dry season delaying the onset of water
shortages and droughts for people, livestock and plants.
Commonly known as swamps, wetlands make up 10% of Uganda’s total land
surface area and provide livelihoods to various Ugandans through agriculture,
fishing as well as by providing material for building, crafts and other activities.
Wetlands are also home to various species of plants and animals, which are part
of Uganda’s heritage and also represent an opportunity for inclusive business
through eco-tourism. Ugandans can share with the world the beauty of the
Wetlands and their ecosystems. Plants and animals can inspire paintings, songs,
tourism.
Despite their obvious advantages, wetlands in Uganda are increasingly coming
under threat as many citizens have reclaimed wetlands for settlement, agriculture
and industries. This is mostly due to the general public unawareness on how
important wetlands are to keep us and our households safe.
With the theme – ‘Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction, Healthy Wetlands help
to cope with extreme weather events.’ This wetlands day is not business as usual,
it is a good time for us to reflect on how we can educate our children, our
colleagues and our friends about the importance of wetlands. We must increase
our efforts at churches and mosques, at schools and hospitals, at places of work
and sports. Everyone must have a better understanding of the important role
wetlands play in reducing the impact of extreme weather events such as droughts
and floods on communities and in helping to build resilience.
Initially celebrated in 1997, this day is intended to remind us of our commitments
under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands which was adopted in 1971. As a key
party to this convention, Uganda is mandated to protect all its wetlands some of
which have been approved as Ramsar sites. The 2030 Agenda and its 17
Sustainable Development Goals also provide us an opportunity to celebrate
wetlands. The SDGs include various aimed at protecting life in the ocean, on land
and on managing climate change.
If we are to leave no one behind as Uganda strives to develop, it is imperative for
each of us to do everything we can to save wetlands wherever they are. Well
managed wetlands ensure that communities are resilient and can bounce back
from disasters faster. We must help conserve and promote sustainable use of
wetlands as we support industrialization and development.
I would like to share a few examples of actions we can take. At individual and
community level, we can become a wetlands ambassador and work with family,
friends and community members to use water sparingly, to conserve and restore
wetlands and to create alternative sources of livelihoods. Communities can lead
efforts to check how wetlands are used in their local areas and participate in
clearing the rubbish that is often dumped there as well as unblocking the streams
from which they receive water. Communities can also establish guides, make
paintings and other arts to showcase the plants and animals living in wetlands.
Members of the Government and Parliament should designate wetlands as
protected areas, restore degraded wetlands, partner with local governments and
civil society to create awareness about their importance and encourage both
citizens and investors to adopt cross sectoral polices in education, housing,
agriculture and industry that protect wetlands and promote green economic
growth.
As custodians of the SDGs and partners of Uganda, the United Nations in Uganda
in partnership with the Government of Uganda has taken several actions to save
wetlands. Some of these include:
 Producing a National Wetlands Atlas with the Ministry of Water and
Environment, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This Atlas will be key for
educating the public on where wetlands are located and is a guide on
wetland protection country wide. I invite you to get a copy and share its
contents in your communities.
 Support the environmental protection force within Ministry of Water and
Environment as well as the National Environment Management Authority
(NEMA) with equipment to improve on their wetland surveillance and
enforcement capacity.
 Promoting eco-tourism and the extension of wetland protected areas
around the Lake Bisina-Opeta in Eastern Uganda and Lake Nakivale in
Western Uganda. Working with the local government in Isingiro, UNDP
supported refugees and their host communities to restore the banks of
Lake Nakivale through tree-planting to minimise silting and improve on the
quality of water as well as the fisheries.
 Partnered with local communities to strengthen the management of
Ramsar sites. In Makanaga wetland, part of the Mabamba wetland system,
a Ramsar site, UNDP through its Small Grants Programme funded the
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre to work with the local community. It
constructed a viewing point for birds, established boat trails and trained 20
community members as tour guides. This provided alternative sources of
livelihoods for the community hence protecting the wetland.
 UN-HABITAT in collaboration with Kampala Capital City Authority has
developed a flood control model for the Lubiigi catchment which can be
replicated in other key towns around Lake Victoria.
Uganda has been recognized for its dignified vision to refugee hosting. Uganda
can now build upon its vision 2040 and identify modalities to accelerate the
implementation of its National Development Plan II that place wetlands at the
center of efforts. We are working with Government to develop a Presidential
Initiative on Wetlands that will help to accelerate the delivery of a comprehensive
response to the needs of people in communities close to Wetlands. This initiative
will look at how to improve the livelihoods of those who live close to wetlands by
providing them with skills for alternative livelihoods, education on crop
diversification and conservation agriculture techniques. This initiative is intended
to enable the youth and community leaders to be at the forefront of efforts to
improve the ecosystem services of the wetlands and their associated catchments
through protection of natural forests climate resilient farming.
As Uganda works towards achieving the National Development Plan’s goal for a
middle income status as well as Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) especially SDG 13 on Climate Action, the United Nations remains
committed to working with the Government, various partners and the general
public to fight against climate change and the degradation of wetlands. Leaving
no one behind while promoting industrialization, urbanization and sustainable
development includes protecting wetlands, forests and wildlife. Protecting the
environment is an intricate part of every culture. Each and everyone of us has a
role to play in ensuring that Wetlands remain part of Uganda’s history, landscape
and heritage for generations to come.
I therefore invite every Ugandan - Whoever you are, and wherever you live. Let
us join hands to restore and conserve wetlands and reduce the risk of disaster in
this country. Let’s transform this risk into an opportunity for sustainable
development and economic transformation.