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"Increased population growth in Kabale District, Southwestern Uganda, has resulted into wetland drainage in search of more arable land. This has impacted on the livelihoods and water supply for the surrounding communities. Water situation gets worse when there is increased water demand during community ceremonies like weddings when a lot of water is needed to prepare food and local drinks in large quantities. During such ceremonies, wells yield muddy water or even dry up because of reduced filtration and recharge capacity of drained wetlands, respectively. If such water is contaminated with disease-causing organisms that have not been filtered off, then it becomes a health hazard to people. Stomach upsets have now become more common and related treatment using Metronidazole at a cost of one thousand Uganda shillings (about US$ 0.6 or two litres of milk) per dose has to be incurred. Stomach upsets were not common before the wetlands were drained. Peoples livelihoods based on drained wetlands include growing of sweet and irish potatoes, maize, cabbages, beans, sorghum and dairy animal grazing. Beans and maize brought the net returns per unit land area (ha) of Shs. 276,323(US$ 154) per season, followed by irish potatoes, Shs. 54,101(US$30) and lastly cabbages which brought net returns per unit land area (ha) of Shs. -510,540(US$-283). Overall, 91% of the people have acquired more land in the drained wetlands (about 0.05 ha each on average), which they say is more fertile, and have milk at household level. Negative impacts associated with wetland drainage include reduced and/or loss of biodiversity such as the population reduction of Crested cranes (Ugandas symbol) while the Sitatunga or water antelope (Tragelaphus spekei Sclater), a globally threatened species, has been eliminated from many areas. Raw materials for traditional artisanal industries are no longer readily available as well as medicinal herbs. The District ranks number one in malarial cases in the country and this has been attributed to micro-climatic change (increased temperatures) due to wetland drainage." |
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