Effects of wetland degradation on local livelihood around Lubigi wetland, Kampala district.

Abstract

Wetlands in most parts of the world are under threat of over-exploitation, loss and/or degradation partly due to agriculture and urban land uses. Lubigi wetland measuring about 17,500 ha supports a large biodiversity and is a source of livelihoods to communities around it this study was aimed at establishing the effects of Lubigi wetland degradation on local livelihoods. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources through field survey. From the study, it is evident that the major benefit derived from the wetland was clean water for domestic use and the main cause of wetland degradation realized from the study was settlement, this result into flooding which greatly affects local livelihoods. The researcher recommends that the Government of Uganda should therefore invest in structuring laws and regulations that will control settlement and other illegal activities in the wetland.