BATTLE FOR WETLANDS IN RAKAI

District Leaders in Rakai have embarked on a program to evict all the families that encroached on wetland areas in the district. The project spearheaded by local leaders including councilors involves forceful evictions, demolition of structures and destruction of food items and gardens in the said areas. Rakai has for long had a population outburst due to the refugees from Neighboring Tanzania and Rwanda. Banana plantations were cleared, and several other gardens, as well as fish ponds that were opened. The exercise was supervised by Kyotera Mayor Bategeze Ezra, who condemned the illegal settlement by the residents. The District Agricultural Officer for Rakai Meddie Kanyike says such activities have led to long dry spells in the region causing despicable hunger situations. The Deputy RDC for Rakai Godfrey Mbyetegyerize gave the residents up to a week to vacate the wetlands.