Assessment of procedures for Gazetting wetlands in Uganda: A case study of Nakivubo wetland in Kampala District, Uganda

Abstract

Nakivubo wetland forms part of the wetland system of Inner Murchison Bay in Kampala District. The pressure of increasing population, and the resulting expansion of agriculture and industrial and urban development have caused a significant proportion of Nakivubo wetland to be destroyed thereby, impacting on the water quality of the Inner Murchison bay. In order to curb further destruction and loss of the wetland, gazetting is underway and this requires reliable information on boundary delineation to support decision-making in the process of gazetting which was not adequate. In an attempt to provide solutions to the problems, a study of application of GIS for gazetting wetlands was undertaken for Nakivubo wetland. The major aim of this study was to establish the best boundary for gazetting Nakivubo wetland within the framework of the law. The regulations on wetlands, Riverbanks and Lakeshores (2000) were examined to provide a framework in which gazettement should be undertaken. Consultations were also done with key agencies concerned with gazettement of Nakivubo and establishment of the best option for boundary delineation was carried out using GIS. Literature review was done to enhance baseline information. Other methods employed included manipulation and transformation of spatial data as well as integration and modeling of spatial data. Findings showed that the procedure for gazettement as stipulated in the Regulations was generally not followed by key stakeholders with over 70% roles not fulfilled. Despite this shortcoming the gazettement of Nakivubo wetland proceeded with new procedures being introduced. Boundary demarcation was noted as key in the procedure of gazettement of Nakivubo wetland and by using GIS established the best choices as GPS which ranked highest against the contour and ecological criteria. Results from the study also indicated that application of GIS was valuable for decision-making in this case boundary delineation and the related implications. Thus GIS was a useful too that provided an innovative way of integration, analyzing and presenting information for decision on the best choice. Recommendations are that the regulations should be revised to capture new procedures used in gazettement of Nakivubo wetland and were not foreseen during the regulation formulation process. Secondly, boundary delineation for gazzeting wetlands should consider the ongoing activities for choice of criteria. In this case, GPS method is best suited for urban environments where encroachment has taken root.