THE CHALLENGES OF WETLAND MANAGEMENT IN MAKINDYE DIVISION KAMPALA UGANDA BY NAGGAYI HASIFAH BEM143709/1431DU A RESEARCH REPORTSUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF A BACHELORS DEGREE OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF KAMPALA INTERNATIONALUNIVERSITY AUGUST, 2017 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .13 4.1 Human activities and their effects in Kansanga and Kyetinda wetlands 13 4.2 Management of Kansanga and Kyetinda wetlands 15 CHAPTER FIVE 17 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 17 5.1 CONCLUSIONS 17 5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS 17 REFERENCES 18 APPENDICES 21 APPENDIX I: WORKPLANANDTIMEFp~ME 21 APPENDIX II: BUDGET 22 APPENDIX III: QUESTJONi~JAIRE GUIDE 20 APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE 21 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: The human activities and how they affect Kansanga and Kyetinda wetlands 13 Table 2: The management concerns in the studied wetlands 15 DECLARATION I Naggayi Hasifahdo hereby declare to the best of my knowledge that this research report is my original material and has never been presented to any other institution of learning for any award. NAGGAYJ HASIFAH Sign ...‘‘~‘‘ Date...~J.<~/~2~C) APPROVAL This research report has been under my supervision and is now ready for submission to Kampala International University. Supervisor: MS. LUYIGA SUZAN Sign ~ Date DEDICATION I dedicate this research report to my Father and Mother for the tremendous contribution towards my education and also to my entire family. To KIU for instilling in me values that have made me a whole person, and finally my fellow classmates with whom we started this together with love and guidance that they have showed me. vi ACKOWLEDGEMENT I wish to extend my gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of my research. Special thanks to my parents for the financial support. I am deeply indebted to my supervisor for the guidance during the study and ensuring submission of my report.My sincere gratitude to the staff of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences for a contribution in my life. I finally thank God for bringing me this far. VII LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS GDP : Gross Domestic Product NFA : National Forestry Authority NEMA : National Environment Management Authority NMK : National Museum of Kenya NASA : National Aeronautics and Space Administration VIM ABSTRACT The study examined the challenges in the management of Kasanga and Kyetinda Wetlands in Makindye division Kampala district. The study aimed to establish human activities in Kasanga and Kyetinda wetlands in Makindye division Kampala district and identify the management issues. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, interview guide and direct observations, 48 respondents including NEMA officials, community leaders and residents were interviewed. Results majorly show three activities including plant harvesting, recreation activities and construction that clearly destroyed the two wetlands. Waste disposal and agricultural activitiesalso contributed significantly. The identified management issues in these wetlands included: waste dumping, rainfall intensity, political interference, population increase, limited infonnation, land ownership and policies and regulations in order of decreasing importance.The activities and management issues in the two wetlands clearly indicate a general lack of awareness on the multivariate values of wetlandsamong the users. The establishment of efficient and effective management mechanisms is, therefore, crucial for the co-ordination and collaboration of all stakeholders. ix CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Wetlands cover about 6% of the earth’s surface (Kirsten, 2005). The Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen or water whether natural or artificial, permanent or seasonal with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres” (Ramsar, 2007).Wetlands occur at all latitudes, from the polar areas to the tropics, and occur in most countries. Wetlands perform a number of ecosystem services, some of which are well recognized, others less so, and are internationally recognized as one of the most important ecosystems for the conservation of biodiversity (Carp, 1980). Wetlands also have important primary functions in the regulation of hydrology, water puritication and flood control, and coastal wetlands can help to alleviate the impacts of storm surges(Kirsten,2005) Further, wetlands have aesthetic values and significant eco-tourism potential (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). Wetlands are estimated to store more than twice the amount of carbon as all global forest biomass combined(Creswell, 2003). Drained and disturbed wetlands emit a massive amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (Anonymous, 2008).According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report, wetlands are the habitat that has been most affected by development and are being lost more rapidly than any other habitat in the world. However, 80% of the global wetland area is still pristine and not severely modified by human activities. Globally, natural wetlands are destroyed at a rate of 4000 square kilometers per year, with 50% attributed to agriculture, 30% to forestry and 10% to peat extraction (Creswell, 2003). In Uganda, wetlands are one of the most valuable ecosystems and cover about 30,105 square kilometers, representing 13% of the country’s total area (National Environment Management Authority, 2000). The national environment act of Uganda defines wetlands as “areas which are permanently or seasonally flooded by water and where plants and animals have become adapted’. There are two broad categories of wetlands in Uganda, namely. those which are associated with lakes (lacustrine) and rivers (riverine) (National Environment Act, 1995). 1 Thishasresultedinthedegradation and modification ofihesevaluablestocks ofnaturaicapital. Thissituatjon arisesoutofthefacfthat wetlandsare perceived to have little or no economic value (Kirsten, 2005), coupled with the fact that no formal markets exist for their services to humanity (Jodi,2005),Consequently this makes wetland conservation not to be seen as a serious alternative compared to other uses that seem to yield more tangible and iimnediate economic benefits. As a r e s u it inadequate resources are fed into their management which breeds environmental degradation through in appropriate commercial use o f wetlands (Oglethoipe and M iliadou, 2000), which consequently affect human welfare. Despite the important ecosystems services wetlands deliver, Ugandan wetlands have been greatly altered by human activities. The Government of Uganda made significant progress in establishing a comprehensive policy, legal and institutional framework for wetlands management(NEMA 2002). Nonetheless, there are numerous challenges that undermine the sustainable utilization and management of wetlands in Uganda (NEMA, 2000). It is therefore important to establish the challenges of their management in Uganda. 1.2 Statement of the problem Wetlands in Makindyc division have decreased by 50 percent, in the twenty years between 1995 and 2016;(NEMA, 2006). According to NEMA (2011), managemeiit is challenged by complex land ownership issues, political interference, and population explosion among others. Currently, both Kasangaand Kyetinda are heavily encroached upon for residentj al(NEMA 2 0 1 2). It has been surrounded by buildings and businesses and as a result the wetland area has shrunk a great deal(NEMA(20l2)Th~5 leaves little space for the storm waters that normally collects in the wetland.As a result severe flooding of the wetland and surrounding area can take place during the rainy season. This is particularly problematic because the weather patterns have become more severe and during long periods of drought many people think the wetland is gone for good and begin cultivating the land. When the rains do return all this work is lost to the floods.These wetlands should be conserved in order to serve their puipose that is to say several measures should be taken into consideration.For example cancellation of all land leases and titles in wetlands so that the NEMA and the Wetlands management Depai~ment can work with the Ministry responsible for Lands, Justice and Constitutional Affairs to identify, isolate and hold the peipetrators individually accountable, as well as, withdraw these titles and leases from their holders. This could also help in eviction of all wetland encroachers. However, it 2 appears like NEMA is failing to exercise its duties and responsibilities. This study, therefore, aimed at establishing the challenges in the management of Kasanga and Kyetinda Wetlands inMakindye division Kampala district. 1.3 Objectives of the study 1.3.1 Main objective The main objective of this study was to examine the challenges of wetland management in Makindye division Kampala district 1.3.2 Specific objectives i) To establish the activities carried out inKasanga and Kyetinda wetlands which may hinder their proper management. ii) To identify the management concernsin Kansanga and Kyetinda. 1.4 Research questions i) Are there management challenges in Kasanga and Kyetinda wetlands? ii) What arc the human activities within Kansanga and Kyetindawcjlai1~5’~ 1.5 Significance of the study Provide baseline data on the human encroachment and management challenges of Kansanga and Kyetinda \vetlancls. 3 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Wetlands