{UAH} Hon Ruhindi: Lutembe wetland or not a wetland as per who owns it!!!

Entebbe- The National Environment Managemnet Authority (Nema) has broken its silence on the Rosebud-Lutembe wetland saga, saying the flower firm owned by city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, was permitted to reclaim part of the wetland because they had a land title.

"In 2003 during an inspection, Nema found Rosebud expanding an existing flower farm and stopped them. Upon discussion, justification for flower farming was provided," a statement released by Nema Spokesperson Naomi Karekaho on Tuesday, read in part.

Ms Karekaho said they ordered Rosebud to scale down their flower farming activities from 210 to 52 hactares and use hydrophonics technology (suspended farming and not grows flowers on the wetland).

Meanwhile, the police in Entebbe yesterday said they were hunting for Wakiso District Chairperson Matia Bwanika for slapping a man during the Tuesday protests against degradation of Lutembe Bay Wetland.

Entebbe Police Commander Edgar Nyabongo said they received a complaint from Mr Geoffrey Mukasa that Mr Bwanika suspected him to be a police informer .

"This is not acceptable and the chairperson faces charges of assault and threatening violence," Mr Nyabongo said.

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Bwanika Nakyesawa Luwero