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Wetlands in Uganda
Uganda, known as the "Pearl of Africa," is rich in natural resources, including its diverse wetland ecosystems. These wetlands, which include swamps, marshes, and lakes, are spread across the country and provide invaluable ecological services such as water filtration, flood regulation, and carbon sequestration.
Since 1994, however, Uganda has witnessed a troubling reduction in its wetlands, with a 40% decrease leaving only 8.(Kakuru et al., 2013)5% of the country’s land area classified as wetlands. This loss is attributed to various factors, including agricultural expansion, urban development, and unsustainable resource extraction. As a result, there has been a growing recognition of the need to conserve and protect the remaining wetlands in Uganda.
To address the challenges facing wetlands in Uganda, numerous conservation efforts and initiatives have been implemented. These include the establishment of protected areas, such as the Ramsar sites, to safeguard critical wetland habitats and their biodiversity. Additionally, government policies and regulations have been put in place to manage and conserve wetlands, promoting sustainable land use practices and regulating activities that may cause degradation.
