Lutembe residents empowered to have a voice in determining development within their wetland

Lutembe residents empowered to have a voice in determining development within their wetland

Lutembe Bay is an IBA and RAMSAR site on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda, where large concentrations of Palearctic and Afrotropical migrant birds like the White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus congregate. Developments such as large scale flower farms may have economic benefits, but they threaten the IBA’s wetland ecosystem because of the high levels of chemicals used. This is also a potential threat to the people who depend on the wetland’s services and who lack alternative sources of income.

In 2013, Nature Uganda (NU) together with the Lutembe community, led by the Local District Chairman, protested against the expansion of a flower farm, which was already underway. This was influenced by the regular trainings provided by NU in ecosystem services assessment, ecosystem health and valuation, and the concept of wise use and alternative income generating activities. The flower farm operator was charged over illegal filling of the wetland, thereby degrading the fragile ecosystem serving Lake Victoria and surrounding habitats. The Ministry of Water and Environment, through the Wetlands Management Department and Lutembe Wetland Users Association leadership, signed an agreement with the flower farm operator, whereby the flower farm committed to implement recommendations from an official environmental audit.

The flower farm, along with the National Environment Management Authority, have also been sued by a number of civic society organizations (CSOs) for breaching the right to a clean and healthy environment for the local community and other Ugandans, as required by the constitution. The hearing started in April 2014 and is ongoing. On each occasion when the site has been threatened, local residents have alerted relevant officials; and their efforts have maintained the ecological integrity of this valuable wetland IBA and Ramsar site.

Encroachment into Lutembe Bay for flower farming is a threat to its ecosystems. (PHOTO: ©BirdLife)