The Uganda Atlas

Wetlands: importance and uses

Uganda’s wetlands can be categorized as papyrus swamp, swamp forests, lacustrine (lake edge), riverine, flood plains and damboos. These can be further categorized into permanent and seasonal wetlands. The most common type of wetland is papyrus swamp dominated by Cyperus papyrus . A bout 69% of the total area under wetlands is impeded drainage while seasonal swamps and swamp forests constitute 30% and 1 % respectively. functions. The major functions and values include; source of products such as water, fish, forage and grazing resources, wood fuel, building and craft materials, sand, clay and medicines; provision of services such as purification of water through filtering of both silt, and industrial and domestic effluent; regulate water flow and enhance ground water recharge; moderation of climate; retention of carbon; and provide landscape aesthetic resources for recreation and eco- tourism. Further more, wetlands have important attributes including habitat for aquatic life, biodiversity and genetic resources conservation. Therefore, a large proportion of Uganda’s population directly or indirectly depends on wetlands for their livelihoods. Uganda’s wetlands are faced with a number of threats of degradation especially resulting from population pressure and economic development. Wetlands throughout the country are increasingly being encroached upon and reclaimed mainly for agriculture and settlements. Specifically, the main human activities that are leading to degradation of wetlands include drainage for agricultural purposes, sand and clay mining, over-harvesting of biomass, dumping of solid waste and pollution through release of industrial effluent and domestic waste. The impact of all these is far reaching, and is already threatening the integrity and sustainability of these vital resources. The current and potential impacts include increased floods, shortage of building and crafts materials, reduction in fish productivity (for example, disappearance of mud fish) decline in water quantity and quality, reduced ground water recharge and decline in the water table as exemplified by the disappearance of water springs. Wetlands in Uganda perform important chemical, hydrological, ecological and socio-economic

NEMA 2008

Baskets made out of papyrus reeds

Kyojja Wetland Managmenet Association offices in Masaka District. The building is made of wetland products (2005). The Association manages Kyojja wetland to ensure its sustainability and improved livelihoods.

NEMA 2005

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