The Ministry of Water and Environment has sounded the alarm over a significant funding shortfall for wetland restoration efforts in Uganda.
State Minister Hon. Beatrice Anywar revealed that the ministry requires Shs150 million to restore just one square kilometer of wetland, but the allocated budget for 2024/25 was only Shs1.24 billion, which was sufficient to restore a mere 800 hectares.
The ministry’s funding woes are further compounded by budget cuts in the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years.
As a result, the ministry will only be able to restore 1,330 hectares of wetlands, a fraction of the required target of 6,540 square kilometers.
Call to Action
The Ministry of Water and Environment is urging stakeholders to recognize the importance of wetland conservation and provide the necessary funding to support restoration efforts.
The ministry’s funding challenges highlight the need for increased support to protect Uganda’s wetlands, which provide essential services, including water filtration, flood control, and habitat for diverse wildlife .
