By Okidi Patrick/ NORTHERN UGANDA CORRESPONDENT.
OBONGI: Encroachers in wetlands in Obongi district have been given one week to vacate the wetlands or risk being evicted forcefully.
According to the RDC Hasaka, the Obongi district security committee has resolved that all encroachers are to be evicted and dealt with according to the rule of law in addition to the executive order issued by the President of the Republic of Uganda General Yoweri Museveni Kaguta.
The security committee chaired by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC)Obongi district Mr mr Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka using the presidential executive order No.3 resolved to adopt the directive recently given by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The district Chairpeson Obongi honourable Abibu Khemis Buga, the RDC Samuel mpimbaza Hashaka and the technical team have been carrying out sensitization to the wanainchi about the executuve order recently aimed at protecting the environment and wetlands.
But some individuals especially in Palorinya sub-county have sturbonly been constructing permanent houses along wetlands areas hence pausing risk of being demolished as per the rule of law and the executive order number three(3) issued by the President.
Obongi district is generally surrounded by River Nile and has been experiencing floods as a result of some people encroaching on wetlands.
During the 61st independence day celebrations for Obongi district held last week in Aliba sub-county ,the Resident District Commissioner Hasaka directed the CAO and DPC to implement the presidential directive by evicting all encroachers in wetlands.
The district environment Officer of Obongi could not be reached to comment on the matter since his known phone number was unavailable by the time of compiling this report.
One of the residents,a -49-year- old man,from Palorinya Sub-County who wanted his name withheld in this publication ,told our reporter that they support the President executive order number three 100 percent because, people were sensitized by the district officials recently and others have intentionally refused to vacate the wetlands willingly.
President Yoweri Museveni recently made pronouncement to the RDCs and RCCs about the three executive orders including wetlands , charcoal trade and Balalo pastoralists.