Enact Environment Ordinance on Tree planting to save Environment Government tells Local Govt

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Local Government across the country have been told to come up with ordinances  on tree planting as one of the mechanism to protect the Environment which is under threat  thus exposing the country to the consequences of Climate change.

While presenting the UGX40.5 trillion Budget for the financial year 2019/2020 Speech at Serena Hotel the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija said The Country has lost hectares of its Environment through Destruction of Wetlands, depletion of Forest cover both under the central management and private one but his comes with great Impact on the people livelihood thus the need to protect the Environment at grass root level.

Uganda,s Minister for Finance Matia Kasaijja 

“The destruction of Wetlands  adversely Impacts  the welfare of our  people in the many ways such as water shortage  or no water  at all  for domestic use  and production  increased temperature  and severe  long droughts , over flooding among other key impacts. It’s on this back ground that Reforestation and Restoration of wetlands must be under taken as a matter of urgency” The Minister Directed to the concerns Agencies.

He added by explaining that  the destruction of  wetlands and  forest covers  will be penalized  through  the enforcement of  environmental  Laws  and regulations  thus local governments must  enact  and enforce  ordinances  on tree planting   efficient  waste management  and wetlands conservation.

Other strategies that should be Implemented to save the country’s, Biodiversity include the ban  on use of harmful  materials  such as  environmentally destructive  polythene  bags among other non-degradable materials which are highly used by the general Public