Minister blames Judiciary over wetlands

A Cabinet minister has castigated the judiciary for issuing court injunctions that stop eviction of wetland encroachers, rendering agencies such as National Environment Management Authority impotent.

Ms Flavia Munaaba, the State minister for Environment, yesterday said although it is agreeable natural resources are fast diminishing, little can be achieved with judicial officers issuing such directives.

The minister was speaking at Lutembe Bay, a Ramsar listed wetland of international importance in Wakiso District, during the World Wetlands Day national celebrations. The commemoration were held under the theme, “Wetlands for our future: The future of humanity depends on wetlands.”

Part of the Lutembe wetland has been reclaimed by a flower firm and several organisations sued the firm for breaching Articles 50 and 22 of the 1995 Constitution on citizens’ right to a clean and healthy environment.

However, Judiciary spokesperson, Mr Erias Kisawuzi, said: “We do not look at Nema as a government agency but consider the end of judicial process basing on evidence. When we issue injunctions stopping any developments, still we are conserving the environment.”
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